Southdown sheep Survival Trust. The original Southdown breed probably reached the United States in 1803. Their popularity grew because the Southdowns were very easy to take care of and were resilient to many problems for which other sheep are known. They later declined in nearly the same pattern that had occurred in England. One other factor that affected the original bloodlines was that the Southdown could not satisfy the consumer demand for larger meat cuts. This was significant in the development and mass production of the larger, leggier Southdown of today. This divergence from the original breed standards was the beginning of
Norfolk Horn but dry environments. The breed is long-legged with black faces and legs. Both sexes have horns, although these are larger in the males. At maturity, an ewe weighs about . The breed is described as "flighty" and is likened to goats in their ability to jump over obstacles such as fencing. It was a popular breed in Norfolk until the middle 19th century, when "improved" breeds such as the Leicester and Southdown appeared. Norfolk Horn ewes were mated to Southdown rams to produce high quality meat-producing lambs, and this cross became established as a separate breed, the Suffolk. The Norfolk