Corriedale wool ranging from 25 to 30 microns diameter. Fleece from a mature ewe will weigh with a staple length of . After cleaning, a yield of 50 to 60% of the raw fleece weight is common. Mature rams will weigh ; ewes can weigh from . This breed was developed in Australia and New Zealand by extensive breeding and culling as a cross between Merino and Lincoln sheep The goal was to develop a breed that would thrive in lower rainfall areas and supply long-staple wool. James Little was the original breeder. The name comes from a property in the
Breed registry problems caused in the breed by inbreeding from a limited set of animals. A related preservation method is backbreeding, used by some equine and canine registries, in which crossbred individuals are mated back to purebreds to eliminate undesirable traits acquired through the crossbreeding. Naming rules vary according to the species and breed being registered. For example, show horses have a "registered name", that is, the name under which they are registered as a purebred with the appropriate breed registry, and purebred dogs intended for the sport of conformation showing must be registered with the kennel club in which they will