Dorper and White Dorper sheep are highly regarded for their ease of care and high production from low labor, health, and feed inputs. They perform well across a range of regions and production systems.

Characteristics of the Dorper include: 

– Adaptability to and hardiness for a variety of climatic and grazing conditions.

– High fertility and reproduction rates.

o Potential lambing interval of 8 months (3 lambings in 2 years)

o Lambing in excess of 150% per joining

– Good mothering qualities

– High growth rates with the ability to achieve maximum growth from little feed.

o Rams grow to 90-120kg

o Ewes grow to 50-80kg

– Good muscling carcasses with low-fat scores

– Thick quality skin for protection in harsh climate conditions.

– Shedding of wool and hair according to seasonal conditions.

– Excellent mothering qualities and milk production.

Some examples of typical Australian Dorper and White Dorper sheep can be found in the images below.

We can supply purebred and crossbred Dorper sheep and white Dorper sheep to meet your breeding and business objectives and budget. Follow the link below to get in touch and find out more.

Australian Dorper Breed Standards

Dorper & White Dorper Breed Standard

The following comprises the Breed Standard.

1. Conformation
Head: Strong and long with eyes widely spaced and protectively placed. A strong nose, and a strong well-shaped mouth with well-fitted deep jaws is ideal. To qualify for T5, stud and commercial the upper part of the inside of the cutting teeth must be in contact with the upper gum. The lower jaw may be 2mm shorter on adult animals and 3mm shorter on lambs. When an animal is shedding the front teeth, the adjacent teeth may be used for evaluation of the fit. The forehead must not be dished. The size of the ears must be in relation to the head. A developed horn base or small horns are ideal. Discriminate according to size against heavy horns

Forequarter and neck: The neck should be of medium length, well fleshed, broad, and well coupled to the forequarter. Shoulders should be firm, broad, and strong. A moderate protrusion of the brisket beyond the shoulders, moderate width, and good depth are ideal. Forelegs must be strong, straight, and well placed with strong pasterns and hoofs not too widely split. Weak pasterns and X-legs must be discriminated against according to a degree. Shoulders, which appear loose, brisket that slants up too sharply with no projection beyond the shoulders, crooked legs, and weak walking ability, are faulty.

Barrel: The ideal is a long, deep, wide body, ribs well sprung, loin broad and full. The sheep must have a long, straight back and not have a Devil’s grip. A slight dip behind the shoulders is permissible.

Hindquarter: A long and wide rump is ideal. The inner and outer twist is well-fleshed and deep in adult animals. The hind legs must be strong and well placed with sturdy feet and strong pasterns. Weak, skew pasterns and sickle hocks must be discriminated against according to a degree. The hocks must be strong without a tendency to turn in or out. Bandy- or perpendicular hocks are faulty.

Udder and sex organs: Well-developed udder and reproductive organs are essential in the ewe. The scrotum of the ram should not be too long and the testicles should be of equal size and not too small. Any abnormalities in the testicles are cull faults.

• Minimum testicle circumference size in a sitting position:
• 10 months of age 30cm
• 2 tooth 32cm
• 4 tooth 33cm
• 6 tooth and older 34cm
• A split of 1,5cm deep allowed on scrotum of ram, measured from the deepest point to bottom of testicles.
• Any projection of a prolap on the anus or vagina is faulty

General appearance: The sheep must be symmetrical and the body parts balanced in proportion to each other. A calm temperament with a vigorous appearance is ideal.

2. Size or growth rate
A sheep with good size and weight for its age is ideal. Discriminate against extremely large or extremely small animals, under the same environmental conditions.

3. Distribution of fat
Too much localization of fat on any part of the body (see circles) is undesirable. An even distribution of a thin layer of fat over the carcass and between the muscle fibers is ideal. The sheep must be firm and muscular when handled.

4. Colour pattern
Dorpers: A white sheep with a black head and neck is ideal. A limited number of spots are allowed on the body and legs. Totally white sheep or sheep that are predominantly black are faulty.
Brown or white hair around the eyes must be discriminated against according to a degree. Pink teats, pink under the tail, and white hooves are faulty. Brown on the face is undesirable.

White Dorpers: A white sheep, fully pigmented on the eyelids, under the tail, and on the teats is ideal. A limited number of spots are allowed on the ears and underline.

5. Cover or Fleece
Definition: H5 A short, loose, light mixture of hair and wool with a natural clean kemp underline. The head should be covered in a short clean kemp.

Definition: H4 A short, loose, light covering of hair and wool with wool predominating on the forequarter and with a natural clean underline. Wool is allowed up to the crown of the head.

Definition: H3 A short, loose covering of predominantly wool or soft fine hair with perceptible kemp on the outer thigh. A soft light mane or apron is allowed. Wool is allowed forward of the crown on the head.

Definition: H2 a) Almost exclusively coarse hair. b) Almost exclusively wool and very dense.

Definition: H1 a) Exclusively coarse hair. b) Exclusively wool (long and dense). c) A coarse hairy mane.

6. Type
Type is determined by the degree the sheep conforms to the Breed Standards. The general impression must be of good balance, muscling, and a vigorous appearance. Masculinity in the ram and femininity in the ewe is important. Note: Any tendency to a cull fault cannot be a Type 5.