Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135

Productive performance of Dorper sheep

S.W.P. Cloetea, M.A. Snymanb,*, M.J. Herselmanb
a
Elsenburg Agricultural Development Centre, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa
b
Groo¯ontein Agricultural Development Institute, Private Bag X529, Middelburg 5900, South Africa

Abstract

The Dorper is a hardy South African composite breed, derived from a cross between the Black-headed Persian and the
Dorset Horn. Dorpers are regarded as early-maturing, and ewes lambed at an age of 1 year in one study. Age at ®rst lambing
was higher in other literature sources cited. The fertility of Dorper ewes was approximately 0.90 ewes that lambed per ewe
mated, with a litter size ranging from 1.45 to 1.60. The gestation length of Dorper ewes was approximately 147 days, while
they were reported to start cycling as soon as 52 days after parturition. The pre-weaning survival of Dorper lambs was cited at
approximately 0.90. Overall reproduction rate of Dorpers ranged from 0.99 to 1.40 lambs weaned per ewe mated, while it
exceeded 1.40 lambs weaned per ewe mated per annum under accelerated mating conditions. Dorper lambs gained from 0.24
to 0.28 kg per day under vastly different environmental conditions. When weaned early at 2±3 months of age, post-weaning
gains in excess of 0.18±0.20 kg per day were recorded. At slaughter, Dorper lambs had dressing percentages of approximately
50%. Two divergent genotypes in the breed (with a hairy or a woolly ¯eece cover) were evaluated under natural pasture
conditions. No conclusive advantage in favour of either genotype could be demonstrated as far as productive traits were
concerned. It was concluded that the breed adapts well to a wide variety of environmental conditions. In view of the scarcity of
estimates of genetic parameters for the breed, the maintenance and expansion of datasets suitable for this purpose should
receive high priority. # 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Dorper sheep; Reproduction; Growth; Carcass traits; Genotypes

1. Introduction Horn (Campbell, 1989). The original crossings and

The need for a sheep breed suitable for the produc-
tion of slaughter lambs under the adverse conditions of
the arid, extensive regions of South Africa resulted in
the formation of the Dorper breed in the early 1940s.
The founders of the new composite breed sought to
combine the hardiness of the Black-headed Persian
with the mutton production capability of the Dorset
*
Corresponding author. Tel.: ‡27-49-842 1113;
fax: ‡27-49-842 4352.
E-mail address: dierb@karoo1.agric.za (M.A. Snyman)
early history of the breed are documented well
(Nel, 1993). The hardiness and adaptability of the
Dorper led to a rapid increase in popularity (Marais
and Schoeman, 1990). Although exact Dorper
numbers are not known, the non-wool sheep numbers
in South Africa increased markedly from approxi-
mately 4.5 million in the late 1960s to approximately
7.0 million in the early 1990s (Abstract of Agricultural
Statistics, 1997). It is more than likely that an
expansion in Dorper numbers greatly contributed to
this increase, which was largely at the expense
of woolled sheep numbers (Fig. 1). The breed has

0921-4488/00/$ ± see front matter # 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
PII: S 0 9 2 1 - 4 4 8 8 ( 9 9 ) 0 0 1 5 6 - X
120 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135
Fig. 1. Changes in the numbers of wool and non-wool sheep in the South African National sheep ¯ock over time.
grown to be the second largest in South Africa, and the
breeding stock have also been exported to other
countries (Terblanche, 1979). Today Dorpers are
found throughout southern and central Africa, in the
desert areas of North Africa and the Middle East as
well as on other continents, namely Northern America
and Australia.
The Dorper is able to withstand dehydration and
quickly replenish body weight losses when water
becomes available (Degen and Kam, 1992). This
capacity of Dorper sheep enables it to adapt to drier
regions where the availability of water proves to be a
limitation. The breed also adapts to temperate regions,
and has been extensively used in accelerated mating
systems (Basson et al., 1969; Manyuchi et al., 1991;
Schoeman and Burger, 1992). Dorper and Dorper
cross sheep were present on all the above average
sheep farms included in the survey of Stafford and
Hansson (1991) in Zambia.
Despite its popularity, scienti®c reports on Dorper
sheep are scattered over a number of scienti®c and
semi-scienti®c journals across the globe. Some of
these literature sources are not readily available for
all scientists. Moreover, estimates of the genetic para-
meters in the Dorper sheep breed are scarce. This
review attempts to present the bulk of information on
the production of Dorpers, while it will also include
the estimates of parameters that were found in the
literature.
2. Reproduction
2.1. General
In a comprehensive survey involving data of 130
Dorper farmers in the drier Karoo region of South
Africa and a total of 115 314 breeding ewes that were
maintained under different managerial regimes, lambs
born per ewe mated were estimated at 1.038 (Ack-
ermann, 1993). District means ranged from 0.924 in
Prieska to 1.123 in Calvinia. It was estimated that only
36.1% of the respondents achieved lambing ®gures of
1.11 lambs born per ewe mated or higher. Given that
the production of lamb is the sole source of income in
a non-wool breed like the Dorper, it is evident that
reproduction needs to be maximized for maximum
economic returns. Little information is available for
changes in the relative reproductive performance of
the South African national ¯ock over time, but given
the increasing economic pressures on sheep farmers, it
is evident that reproduction should receive the neces-
sary attention.
This review focuses on various aspects of Dorper
reproduction, such as sexual maturity, oestrus, gesta-
 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135 121

tion and post-partum anoestrus. The de®nitions used
for the most commonly used reproductive parameters
will be presented at this stage, for ease of comprehen-
sion.
 Ewe fertilityˆEwes that lambed per lambing
opportunity
 Litter sizeˆLambs born per ewe that lambed
 Lamb survivalˆLambs weaned per lamb born
 Overall reproduction rateˆLambs weaned per ewe
mated (lambs weaned per ewe per annum, where
applicable under accelerated lambing systems)
Overall reproduction rate is a function of the com-
ponent traits, namely ewe fertility, litter size and lamb
survival.
2.2. Sexual maturity
The Dorper is regarded as an early-maturing breed.
In early work, Joubert (1962) reported that Dorset
HornPersian ewes attained puberty at 399.7 days,
with a range between 195 and 872 days. Later work
reported substantially younger ages at ®rst oestrus.
Dorper maiden ewes exhibited their ®rst oestrus at an
age of 213 days and a live weight of 39 kg, while
Romanoff ewes were 228 days of age with a live
weight of 28 kg at their ®rst oestrus (Greeff et al.,
1988). Corresponding ®gures for Dorpers from the
study by Schoeman et al. (1993b) were an age of 8.14
months and a live weight of 50.8 kg. Under an 8-
monthly breeding cycle, Dorper ewes born in the
autumn were reported to conceive for the ®rst time
at their ®rst mating at an average age of 328 days and a
live weight of 45.9 kg (Basson et al., 1970). The
majority of ewe lambs that were born in winter (24/
25ˆ0.96 of those available) conceived at an average
age of 252 days and a live weight of 44.7 kg.
Dorper ewes lambed for the ®rst time at an average
age of 346 days, compared to 363 days in Romanovs
(Greeff et al., 1988). Under an accelerated lambing
system, Schoeman and Burger (1992) found that
Dorper ewes lambed for the ®rst time at an average
age of 19.6 months. The ewe fertility of 208 Dorper
ewes mated to fertile rams at an age of 7 months was
0.58 (Snyman, 1998; unpublished), with a litter size of
1.16. Lamb survival averaged 0.79 and overall repro-
duction 0.53 in these ewes.
As far as rams are concerned, it was demonstrated
that epididimal sperm concentrations of Dorper lambs
rose markedly after an age of 140 days (Skinner,
1971). Mean sperm counts (109) were 0.1 at an
age of 112 days, 0.2 at 140 days, 16.6 at 168 days,
27.9 at 196 days and 40.6 at 365 days. From this it is
clear that Dorper ram lambs are capable of fertilizing
ewes from quite an early age.
2.3. Ewe fertility
Literature ®gures for ewe fertility are remarkably
consistent, being approximately 0.90 ewes lambed per
lambing opportunity in the majority of sources cited
(Table 1). Somewhat lower ®gures of respectively,
0.80 and 0.75, were reported in the studies of Pretorius
and Viljoen (1968) and Schoeman et al. (1993b). The
majority of ®gures is, however, consistent with bar-
renness percentages of approximately 6±7% reported

Table 1
Estimates of ewe fertility (ewes that lambed per ewe mated) in Dorper sheep, as reviewed in the literature (in a chronological order)

Estimate Diet Management Reference

0.83±0.91 Natural pasture Flushing treatments Coetzee (1964)

0.80 Natural pasture Flushing and super-ovulation Pretorius and Viljoen (1968)
0.91 Complete diet Accelerated lambing (8 months) Basson et al. (1969)
0.89 Natural pasture Accelerated lambing (8 months) Buitendag (1985)
0.97 Complete diet Accelerated lambing (8 months) Elias et al. (1985)
0.89 Natural pasture Annual lambing Cloete and De Villiers (1987)
0.81 Not given Annual lambing Eltawil and Narendran (1990)
0.90 Natural pasture Accelerated lambing (8 months) Manyuchi et al. (1991)
0.85 Irrigated pasture Accelerated lambing (8 months) Schoeman and Burger (1992)
0.92 Natural pasture Survey information Ackermann (1993)
0.75 Complete diet Accelerated lambing Schoeman et al. (1993b, 1995)
0.82 Natural Pasture Accelerated lambing (10 months) Van Niekerk (1998)
122 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135

for New Zealand Romney sheep (Dalton and Rae,
1978). Ewe fertility of Dorpers compares favourably
to ®gures quoted for Australian Merinos (Knight et al.,
1975; Plant, 1984; Jordan et al., 1989), as well as
South African Merinos and Dohne Merinos (Fourie
and Cloete, 1993).
2.4. Qestrus cycle
Dorset HornBlack-headed Persian ewes were
reported to have an oestrus cycle of 16.9 days (Joubert,
1962). These ewes showed reduced seasonality com-
pared to Merino ewes, which went into anoestrus for 1
month of the year (October), with very limited sexual
activity in 3 more months. The mean annual number of
oestrus cycles per ewe was 8.1 for Merinos and 16.6
for the Dorset HornBlack-headed Persian cross.
Both Dorper and Dohne Merino ewes were found to
have a 17.3-day cycle in subsequent work (Joubert and
Louw, 1964). Average cycle length of Dorper ewes
was similarly 17.3 days in the study of Boshoff et al.
(1975). This study suggested that the Dorper was
intermediate with regard to its seasonal expression
of oestrus activity. The Merino and Karakul were
found to be more seasonal, while the Black-headed
Persian and the Namaqua Afrikaner were more a-
seasonal. The peak level of activity of Dorper ewes
was, however, found to be higher than in the other
breeds. Pretorius and Viljoen (1968) reported mean
cycle lengths of 17.4 days for maiden Dorper ewes and
17.6 days for mature ewes. Corresponding values
recorded by Elias et al. (1985) were 16.6 and 17.6
days, respectively. The mean oestrus cycle length of
Dorper ewes was reported at 17.8 days in a group of
Dorper ewes where a commercial semen diluent was
placed in each uterine horn by laparoscopy, while
control group ewes had a mean cycle length of 18.4
days (Taljaard et al., 1991).
The average duration of oestrus was 33.3 h for
Dorset HornBlack-headed Persian cross ewes and
25.2 h for Merino ewes (Joubert, 1962). Depending on
the interval between oestrus recordings (every 4, 8 or
12 h), the duration of oestrus ranged from 28.0 to
35.1 h in Dorper ewes (Joubert and Louw, 1964). The
corresponding range in Dohne Merino ewes was 20.5±
26.6 h. More oestrus periods commenced during
nighttime than during daytime. In later work, the
average duration of oestrus was recorded at 36 h for
mature Dorper ewes and at 28 h for primiparous ewes
(Elias et al., 1985).
2.5. Litter size
Larger differences were observed between litera-
ture sources as far as litter size is concerned (Table 2).
A number of sources quoted litter size ®gures of below

Table 2
Estimates of ewe litter size (lambs born per ewe that lambed) in Dorper sheep, as reviewed in the literature (in a chronological order)

Estimate Diet Management Reference

1.00±1.09 Natural pasture Flushing treatments Coetzee (1964)

1.39 Natural pasture Control: flushing and super-ovulation Pretorius and Viljoen (1968)
1.73 Complete diet Accelerated lambing (8 months) Basson et al. (1969)
1.49 Natural pasture Accelerated lambing (8 months) Buitendag (1985)
1.40 Complete diet Accelerated lambing (8 months) Elias et al. (1985)
1.59 Natural pasture Annual lambing Cloete and De Villiers (1987)
1.14 Not given Maiden ewes: accelerated lambing Greeff et al. (1988)
1.58 Not given Mature ewes: accelerated lambing Greeff et al. (1988)
1.48 Not given Annual lambing Eltawil and Narendran (1990)
1.50 Not given Annual lambing Greeff et al. (1990)
1.56 Natural pasture Accelerated lambing (Carnarvon) Badenhorst et al. (1991)
1.36 Natural pasture Accelerated lambing (Tarka) Badenhorst et al. (1991)
1.29 Natural pasture Accelerated lambing (8 months) Manyuchi et al. (1991)
1.41 Irrigated pasture Accelerated lambing (8 months) Schoeman and Burger (1992)
1.17 Natural pasture Survey information Ackermann (1993)
1.08 Complete diet Accelerated lambing Schoeman et al. (1993b, 1995)
1.43 Natural pasture Control: super-ovulation Erasmus et al. (1994)
1.24 Complete diet Accelerated lambing (10 months) Van Niekerk (1998)
 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135
1.2, but the vast majority range from 1.45 to 1.60.
These ®gures compare favourably to ®gures reviewed
for New Zealand Romney ewes (Dalton and Rae,
1978), as well as Australian Merinos (Knight et al.,
1975; Jordan et al., 1989) and South African woolled
breeds (Fourie and Cloete, 1993). In a study where
Dorpers were maintained together with Merinos and
Dohne Merinos, respective litter size ®gures of 1.73,
1.39 and 1.41 were obtained (Basson et al., 1969).
Litter size of Dorper ewes was affected by ewe age,
multiple birth rate increasing to an age of 4±6 years,
followed by a tendency towards a decline (Cloete and
De Villiers, 1987; Schoeman and Burger, 1992). Ewes
born as multiples had a higher litter size than single
contemporaries (Cloete and De Villiers, 1987; Schoe-
man and Burger, 1992). The repeatability (estimated
as the simple correlation between paired records) of
litter size in Dorper ewes was computed at 0.32
(Schoeman and Burger, 1992).
2.6. Ovulation rate and embryo loss
Dorper ewes had an ovulation rate of 1.50 and
embryo losses of 0.66 in the study of Greeff et al.
(1990). Corresponding ®gures for Romanov ewes
were 3.33 and 1.15. More research on this topic
appears to be warranted.
2.7. Response of litter size and ovulation rate to
hormonal treatment
Litter size responded to exogenous pregnant mare
serum (PMS) in Dorpers. The administration of 500 or
750 IU PMS elevated litter size from 1.39 to approxi-
mately 1.70 in the study of Pretorius and Viljoen
(1968), while 250 IU PMS did not produce any effect.
Erasmus et al. (1994) similarly found that litter size
increased from 1.43 in control Dorper ewes to 1.60 in
ewes receiving 250 IU PMS and 1.88 in ewes receiv-
ing 500 IU PMS. Dorper ewes that were super-ovu-
lated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) had
18.2 corpora lutea compared to 6.7 corpora lutea in
ewes super-ovulated with 1250 IU PMS (Van Zyl
et al., 1987). Unovulated follicles amounted to,
respectively, 3.0 and 4.1, on respective treatments.
Only data of ewes that were super-ovulated with FSH
were thus considered further, owing to the small
number of fertilized ova recovered from PMS treated
123
ewes. In ewes subjected to natural service, a propor-
tion of 0.475 of the potential embryos was recovered.
Natural service after the application of prostaglandin
F2a to the cervix of ewes resulted in a 0.668 recovery
rate. Surgical insemination by laparoscopy resulted in
a proportion of 0.933 of the potential embryos being
recovered.
2.8. Gestation length
The literature ®gures for the gestation length of
Dorper sheep are remarkably constant. Average ®g-
ures found in the literature included 146.5 days (Jou-
bert, 1962), 147.9 days (range 144±153 days; Joubert
and Louw, 1964) and 146.5 days (range 142±150 days;
Van Niekerk and Mulder, 1965). Gestation length of
Dorpers was consistently shorter than that of woolled
breeds when maintained together. Joubert and Louw
(1964) reported a mean gestation length of 150.5 days
(range 148±154 days) for Dohne Merinos, while Van
Niekerk and Mulder (1965) found a gestation length of
151.6 days (range 148±157 days) for Dohne Merinos
and 149.0 (range 145±154 days) for Merinos. In the
study of Elias et al. (1985), the length of gestation of
Dorpers ranged from 146.2 to 147.7 days, depending
on ewe age, litter size and lamb sex. When maintained
in an accelerated lambing system, the slightly shorter
gestation length of Dorpers may facilitate earlier re-
breeding.
As far as the time of commencement of parturition
was concerned, it was demonstrated that 60% of
Dorper ewes started to lamb in the interval from
06:00 to 18:00, while 40% of parturitions commenced
between 18:00 and 06:00 (Joubert and Louw, 1964).
2.9. Post-partum anoestrus
Cross-bred Dorset HornBlack-headed Persian
ewes were recorded to start cycling 51 days after
parturition on average, with a range of 2±149 days
(Joubert, 1962). Post-partum anoestrus of Dorper ewes
depended strongly on the lambing season, being
approximately 123 days for ewes lambing in winter
and spring, 89 days for ewes lambing in summer and
62 days for ewes lambing in autumn (Joubert, 1972).
Widely different feeding levels (0.10 kg digestible
protein and 14.6 MJ digestible energy vs. 0.05 kg
digestible protein and 6.1 MJ digestible energy) dur-
124 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135

Table 3
Estimates of lamb survival (lambs weaned per lamb born) in Dorper sheep, as reviewed in the literature (in a chronological order)

Estimate Diet Management Reference

0.85 Natural pasture Control: flushing and super-ovulation Pretorius and Viljoen (1968)
0.88 Complete diet Accelerated lambing (8 months) Basson et al. (1969)
0.84 Complete diet Accelerated lambing Elias et al. (1985)
0.91 Natural pasture Annual lambing Cloete and De Villiers (1987)
0.78 Not given Multiples: accelerated lambing Greeff et al. (1988)
0.90 Natural pasture Accelerated lambing (8 months) Manyuchi et al. (1991)
0.94 Irrigated pasture Accelerated lambing (8 months) Schoeman and Burger (1992)
0.95 Natural pasture Survey information Ackermann (1993)
0.88 Natural pasture Accelerated lambing (10 months) Van Niekerk (1998)

ing lactation did not markedly affect these ®gures.
Vosloo et al. (1969) previously indicated that feeding
level (high, medium or low) failed to reduce post-
partum anoestrus in small groups of six Dorper ewes.
The treatments were chosen to result in respective live
weights of 106, 92 and 70% at the weaning of their
lambs, relative to a live weight of 100% at the com-
mencement of feeding. The post-partum interval to the
®rst recorded ovulation was, however, reduced to 86
days in ewes on the high treatment compared to 119
and 124 days on the medium and low treatments. The
inter-lambing interval of Dorper ewes ranged from 6.2
to 7.7 months (Elias et al., 1985).
compare favourably with overall levels of lamb mor-
tality expected in sheep-producing systems, as
reviewed in the literature (Dalton and Rae, 1978;
Alexander, 1984; Plant, 1984; Jordan et al., 1989;
Haughey, 1991). Moreover, lamb survival was found
to be largely independent of known sources of varia-
tion, including litter size (Cloete and De Villiers,
1987). The survival of lambs in the latter study was
0.92 for singles, as compared to 0.90 for multiples.
Corresponding ®gures from the study of Schoeman
and Burger (1992) were, respectively, 0.96 and 0.93.
2.11. Overall reproduction rate

2.10. Lamb survival
Overall levels of lamb survival in Dorper sheep are
comparatively high, with the majority of literature
®gures being approximately 0.90 (Table 3). Given a
litter size of 1.45±1.60 for Dorper ewes, these ®gures
Literature sources suggest that Dorper ewes are
capable of weaning 0.99±1.40 lambs per ewe mated
(Table 4). This level of performance can be maintained
under harsh environmental conditions, on poor quality
natural pastures. The breed also adapts very well to
more intensive systems, achieving high overall repro-

Table 4
Overall reproduction rate (lambs weaned per ewe mated) in Dorper sheep, as reviewed in the literature (in a chronological order)

Estimate Diet Management Reference

1.48a Complete diet Accelerated lambing (8 months) Basson et al. (1969)

1.40 Natural pasture Accelerated lambing (8 months) Buitendag (1985)
1.13 Complete diet Accelerated lambing (8 months) Elias et al. (1985)
1.30 Natural pasture Annual lambing Cloete and De Villiers (1987)
1.52a Natural pasture Accelerated lambing (Carnarvon) Badenhorst et al. (1991)
1.54a Natural pasture Accelerated lambing (Tarka) Badenhorst et al. (1991)
0.99 Natural pasture Accelerated lambing (8 months) Manyuchi et al. (1991)
1.70* Different systems Survey information Stafford and Hansson (1991)
0.99 Natural pasture Survey information Ackermann (1993)
0.89 Natural pasture Accelerated lambing (10 months) Van Niekerk (1998)
a
Refers to the number of lambs weaned per ewe available per annum. The other estimates are based on the number of lambs weaned per
ewe mated.
 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135
duction ®gures (1.48 lambs weaned per ewe per
annum) under accelerated lambing systems (Table 4).
It is of interest to note that accelerated mating under
natural pasture conditions failed to improve reproduc-
tion conclusively above annual mating in experiments
(Olivier et al., 1990; Coetzer et al., 1995). In the
survey of Ackermann (1993), reproduction was,
accordingly, not signi®cantly related to mating regime
(continuous, annual or accelerated).
The repeatability of the number of lambs weaned
per ewe mated in Dorper ewes was estimated at 0.07
(SEˆ0.03) by the intra-class correlation method
(Cloete and De Villiers, 1987). Selection in the current
¯ock should focus on the culling of ewes that failed to
rear a lamb, since ewes failing to rear a lamb at 2±3
years of age reared 0.150.02 fewer lambs in sub-
sequent years than contemporaries that reared least
one lamb.
2.12. Longevity
Literature sources on the longevity of Dorper sheep
are scarce. Dorper ewes remained in the breeding ¯ock
for an average of 4.7 seasons in Zimbabwe, while
Mutton Merino ewes had 5.6 productive seasons
(Manyuchi et al., 1991). The longer ¯ock life of the
Mutton Merino ewes in this study contributed to a
higher overall lamb yield, despite inferior perfor-
mance per ewe mated. This is obviously a topic where
more information is required.
2.13. Male reproductive traits
Testicular weight and the diameter of the semini-
ferous tubules of Dorper ram lambs markedly
increased with age (Skinner, 1971). At an age of
365 days, testis weight averaged 303.8 g, epididymus
weight averaged 54.1 g, and the diameter of the
seminiferous tubules averaged 209.4 mm. The curvi-
linear increase in testis size over time differed from a
similar trend in Dohne Merinos (Schoeman and Com-
brink, 1987). This difference between breeds was
ascribed to maturity-type. Testis measurements (scro-
tal circumference, testis diameter and volume) were
highly repeatable (>0.63) in Dorper rams (Schoeman
and Combrink, 1987).
When observed over a continuous 24 h period, 14
young Dorper rams joined to 50 oestrous ewes
125
served an average of 19.7 times, with a range from
12 to 30 (Schoeman et al., 1987). The mean number of
serves per ram per hour increased from 0.82 in
inexperienced rams to 1.6 and 2.9 serves per ram
per hour in subsequent tests. The repeatability of
the number of serves ranged from 0.10 to 0.69
between tests. Serving capacity within tests was not
conclusively correlated to either live weight, testis
measurements or plasma testosterone concentrations,
although signi®cant (p<0.05) correlations were ob-
served in some instances.
3. Live weight and growth
3.1. General
The performance recording schemes for South
African mutton sheep emphasized weaning weight
at ca. 100 days and early growth as selection objec-
tives. Corrected 100-day live weight of Dorper ram
and ewe lambs participating in performance testing
(derived from data given by Campbell, 1989) showed
a steady improvement over years (Fig. 2). This incline
was probably mostly associated with an improved
environment, and not necessarily genetic gains. Direct
genetic responses to the selection for lamb weaning
weight of Dorpers on natural pastures were compara-
tively slow in the only long-term selection experiment
that could be found in the literature (Neser et al.,
1995), amounting to 0.087 kg per year. An even
smaller gain was observed as far as maternal breeding
values were concerned (0.016 kg per year). A regime
of selection where ewe lambs were selected on wean-
ing weight under pasture conditions and the 20 best
ram lambs on weaning weight and post-weaning
feedlot performance was found to be far less effective
for the genetic improvement of weaning weight than
direct selection (Neser et al., 1995). Direct genetic
gains amounted to 0.030 kg per year, with no change
in maternal breeding values.
This review will focus on lamb performance prior to
weaning as well as post-weaning performance and
mature live weight.
3.2. Pre-weaning lamb performance
Data used for the compilation of this report were
obtained from a wide variety of sources, representing
126 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135

Fig. 2. Averaged adjusted 100-days live weight of ram and ewe Dorper lambs participating in performance testing in South Africa. Means
were interpolated for years in which no data were available.

widely different production systems in many cases. lambs is concerned (Table 5). It is therefore appro-
It is therefore not surprising that a large variation priate to rather concentrate on pre-weaning daily
was observed as far as weaning weight of Dorper gain of lambs. The vast majority of ®gures from the

Table 5
Estimates of lamb weaning weight and pre-weaning growth rate (average daily gain) in Dorper sheep, as reviewed in the literature (in a
chronological order)

Pre-weaning daily gain (kg per day) Weaning weight (kg)a Comment Reference

0.23±0.25 ± Docking trial on natural pasture Campbell and Bosman (1964)

0.23 24.7 (75) Complete diets Basson et al. (1970)
0.24±0.33 ± Natural pasture Pretorius (1970)
0.29 22.6 (77) Supplemented natural pasture Buitendag (1985)
0.27 41.3 (138) Natural pasture Cloete and De Villiers (1987)
± 22.1 (84) Not given Eltawil and Narendran (1990)
0.25 ± Natural pasture; Tarka Badenhorst et al. (1991)
0.21 ± Natural pasture; Carnarvon Badenhorst et al. (1991)
± 16.1 Natural pasture Inyangala et al. (1991)
± 16.4 Natural pasture Manyuchi et al. (1991)
± 28.0 (90) Various; survey information Stafford and Hansson (1991)
± 19.4 Natural pasture Inyangala et al. (1992)
0.26 18.2 (53) Cultivated pasture Schoeman and Burger (1992)
± 26.7 (100) Complete diets Schoeman et al. (1993b)
0.23±0.24 ± Super-ovulation trial on natural pasture Erasmus et al. (1994)
212 27.7 (117) Ewes on natural pasture; Namibia Van Niekerk (1998)
222 28.5 (117) Wethers on natural pasture; Namibia Van Niekerk (1998)
a
Weaning age is given in parentheses where available
 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135
literature ranged from 0.24 to 0.28 kg per day. Given
that the data were recorded under very extensive
conditions in some cases, this rate of gain can be
regarded as satisfactory. It also underlines the ability
of the Dorper breed to thrive under sub-optimal con-
ditions.
Dam age affected lamb pre-weaning gain in Dor-
pers, the general pattern being an incline to a dam age
of 4±6 years, followed by a decline (Cloete and De
Villiers, 1987; Manyuchi et al., 1991; Schoeman and
Burger, 1992). Ram or wether lambs were heavier and/
or faster growing than ewes (Campbell, 1963; Cloete
and De Villiers, 1987; Inyangala et al., 1991; Man-
yuchi et al., 1991; Schoeman and Burger, 1992). Twin
lambs were lighter and slower-gaining than singles
(Campbell, 1963; Cloete and De Villiers, 1987; Inyan-
gala et al., 1991; Manyuchi et al., 1991; Schoeman and
Burger, 1992). The growth rate of multiples reared as
singles corresponded with that of singles in the study
by Cloete and De Villiers (1987). Large differences
were, on the other hand, discernible in the study of
Manyuchi et al. (1991). Singles gained 0.255 kg per
day, compared to 0.202 kg per day in twins reared as
singles and 0.148 kg per day in lambs born and reared
as twins.
Estimates of heritability for pre-weaning perfor-
mance of Dorper lambs are scarce. The heritability
of weaning weight was initially estimated at 0.25 by
parent-offspring regression (Campbell, 1974). The
corresponding paternal half-sib heritability estimate
in a combined dataset of Dorper and Red Maasai
lambs was 0.18 (Inyangala et al., 1990). Later analyses
allowed the partitioning of genetic effects into direct
additive and maternal components (Neser et al., 1995).
Direct additive effects amounted to between 0.11 and
0.30 for the three lines included in the analysis of the
latter authors, when expressed as a proportion of the
overall phenotypic variance. Maternal effects corre-
spondingly accounted for between 0.07 and 0.20 of the
overall phenotypic variance.
Accurate estimates of genetic and environ-
mental correlations for growth traits in Dorpers are
scarce in the literature. Early work reported pheno-
typic relationships, usable for the prediction of wean-
ing weight in the current generation (Campbell,
1963, 1972; Campbell and Erasmus, 1967). These
literature sources can be consulted for further infor-
mation.
127
3.3. Post-weaning performance
When Dorper ewes are mated annually, it is usually
attempted to market lambs directly from the ewes.
Under accelerated lambing systems, where early re-
breeding is a pre-requisite, it is necessary to subject
lambs to early weaning. Dorper lambs weaned at 2±3
months subsequently grew at a rate of 0.230 kg per
day, compared to growth rates of, respectively, 0.220
and 0.170 kg per day in Dohne Merino and Merino
lambs (Basson et al., 1970). Dorper lambs that were
weaned at an average age of 52.8 days and an average
live weight of 18.2 kg, had a survival of 0.96 from
weaning to 100 days of age (Schoeman and Burger,
1992). Post-weaning growth in these lambs was
0.206 kg per day to 100 days of age. Dorper lambs
that were weaned at 100 days gained 0.180 kg per day
from, approximately, 100±200 days, and 0.160 kg per
day from, approximately, 200±360 days of age
(Schoeman et al., 1993a). Dorper lambs were reported
to grow at 0.180 kg per day from birth to slaughter,
compared to 0.148 kg per day for Karakuls and
0.150 kg per day for Damaras (Von Seydlitz, 1996).
During of®cial post-weaning growth tests on nat-
ural pasture, Dorper rams grew at 0.160 kg per day
(Campbell, 1989). Comparable ®gures for other inter-
nationally known breeds were: Suffolk ± 0.176 kg per
day; Hampshire ± 0.144 kg per day; Ile de France ±
0.158 kg per day; Corriedale ± 0.164 kg per day.
Average live weights of South African Dorpers at 6
months were 54.6 kg for rams and 47.8 kg for ewes
(Campbell, 1989). Corresponding weights at approxi-
mately 11 months were, respectively, 80.0 and
65.2 kg. These ®gures were substantially higher than
those of Inyangala et al. (1991, 1992) for Dorper sheep
in Kenya, being respectively, 21.1 and 24.5 kg at 6
months, as well as 33.7 and 36.5 kg at 12 months.
The ef®ciency of fat and protein deposition in
growing Dorper sheep (Marais et al., 1991a), as well
as compensatory growth (Marais et al., 1991b) were
also studied. The sources cited can be consulted for
further information in this regard.
3.4. Mature ewe body weight
In most instances, ewe mature body weight was
recorded at mating. Dorper ewes reached a mature
body weight of 72.3 kg when mated annually under
128 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135
natural pasture conditions (Cloete and De Villiers,
1987). Ewes maintained under accelerated lambing
systems were reported to be somewhat lighter; 57.7 kg
in the study of Greeff et al. (1988) and 61.3 kg in the
study of Schoeman and Burger (1992). Pre-partum
body weight of Dorper ewes in Egypt was 76.9 kg
(Eltawil and Narendran, 1990). In the study of Man-
yuchi et al. (1991), Dorper ewes weighed 51.6 kg after
the birth of their lambs and 50.5 kg when their lambs
were weaned. Ewes maintained on the Tarka experi-
mental farm and mated two times per year weighed
69.8 kg at joining (Snyman, 1998 ± unpublished). The
corresponding live weight recorded at the Carnarvon
experimental farm was 62.9 kg.
Reproduction was affected by pre-joining live
weight of ewes in the study of Cloete and De Villiers
(1987), where annual lambing was practised. This
relationship was stronger in young ewes (2 and 3
years of age) than in older ewes. No relationship
between pre-joining live weight and litter size was
found when Dorper sheep were subjected to an accel-
erated mating regime (Schoeman and Burger, 1992).
The repeatability of pre-joining live weight in Dorper
ewes was estimated at 0.45 (Cloete and De Villiers,
1987).
4. Wool production
The Dorper is regarded as a non-wool breed, and
commercial wool production does not form part of the
selection strategies employed in the breed. The nature
of the ¯eece cover is, however, regarded by some as
important, as will be indicated later. Dorper ewes
were, nevertheless, reported to produce 0.66 kg of
greasy wool over an 8-month period, with a clean
yield of 64.3% (Basson et al., 1969). These ®gures
gave a clean wool production of 0.42 kg per ewe. The
relative wool production of Merino ewes under the
same conditions amounted to 5.3 kg greasy wool,
58.5% clean yield and 3.1 kg clean wool. Correspond-
ing ®gures for Dohne Merino ewes were 4.1 kg, 52.4%
and 2.1 kg, respectively. Dorper ewes that were mated
two times a year, produced 0.41 kg of greasy wool per
year at the Tarka experimental farm (Snyman, 1998 ±
unpublished).
The phenotypic relationship of maternal ¯eece
weight with progeny growth was negative (rˆÿ0.29)
in a small number of Dorpers ewes (Campbell, 1963).
This aspect warrants further attention.
5. Milk traits
In early work, Bonsma (1944a) reported an average
milk production of 1.22 kg per day over 77 days for 43
lactations of Dorset HornBlack-headed Persian
ewes. The corresponding milk yields of purebred
Black-headed Persian and Merino ewes were, respec-
tively, 0.40 and 0.75 kg per day. Further work related
milk yield ®gures to early lamb growth (Bonsma,
1944b). By regarding pre-weaning lamb growth
(Table 5) as an indication of milk production, it can
be deducted that present-day Dorper ewes are able to
provide adequate nourishment for their progeny. The
butterfat content of milk produced by Dorper ewes
declined with 0.051% per day of lactation from 10 to
40 days post-partum (Schoeman et al., 1993b). After
10 days in lactation, ewes produced milk with a
butterfat content of 7.1%. The corresponding ®gure
after 40 days was 5.5%. On average, Dorper milk
contained 5.6% protein and 4.6% lactose (Le Roux,
1969). Milk obtained from DorperBlack-headed
Persian ewes was slightly higher in protein and
lactose, 5.9 and 4.9%, respectively. Milk protein
responded to supplementation with cottonseed meal
in Dorper ewes, being 5.4% on the control diet and
5.9% on the cottonseed meal diet.
6. The production of lamb
Lamb production is de®ned as total weight of
lamb weaned, which can be computed as overall
reproduction multiplied by lamb-weaning weight
(Snyman et al., 1998). Dorper ewes are capable of a
good overall reproduction rate (Table 4), while Dorper
lambs grow well under divergent conditions (Table 5).
It is thus clear that the breed should be able to maintain
lamb production at acceptable levels. When run
together with woolled sheep breeds, Dorper ewes
had a distinct advantage in terms of lamb production.
Under accelerated mating conditions, Dorper ewes
weaned 39.7 kg of lamb per ewe per year, compared
to 25.5 in Dohne Merinos and 21.2 in Merinos (Basson
et al., 1969). When data recorded on two localities
 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135 129

(Carnarvon and Tarka) were combined, Dorper ewes
weaned 48.0 (SEˆ1.4) kg of lamb per ewe on a yearly
basis, compared to 43.21.4 in Afrinos and 22.31.5
in Merinos (Snyman, 1998 ± unpublished). In a Saudi
Arabian study, Dorper ewes also compared favourably
with indigenous fat-tailed hair breeds (Eltawil and
Narendran, 1990). Lamb production averaged 19.5 kg
in Nadji ewes, 19.7 kg in Awassi ewes, 16.9 kg in
Harri ewes and 20.4 kg in Dorper ewes. When related
to post-partum ewe weights, the smaller Harri ewes
were regarded as being the most ef®cient of the four
breeds, with only minor differences between the other
genotypes.
7. Slaughter traits
7.1. Slaughter weight and age
Dorper sheep are regarded as early-maturing and
therefore they tend to put on fat at an early age. What
is most obvious from Table 6, is the fact that slaughter
weight was around 30±33 kg in earlier studies (Basson
et al., 1970; Pretorius, 1970; Terblanche et al., 1973).
In later studies, lambs were slaughtered nearer to
40 kg live weight (Brand, 1992; Snyman et al.,
1996; Snyman, 1998 ± unpublished). This trend could
be ascribed to selection within the breed for increased
growth performance and against fat localization,
resulting in a tendency towards a `drier' type (Nel,
1993; Campbell, 1995).
In South Africa, price premiums were paid for the
highest grade lamb carcasses weighing between 18
and 22 kg. Dorper lambs tend to put on more localised
fat at an earlier age and therefore at lower live weights
than later maturing breeds. This is especially true
under intensive or favourable environmental condi-
tions, where Dorper lambs are slaughtered at lower
live weights (32±35 kg) to avoid the carcasses being
classi®ed as too fat. The later-maturing breeds have
the advantage of producing carcasses with optimal fat
thickness and distribution at a heavier live weight.
When slaughtered at a ®xed age, Dorper lambs
reached slaughter weight earlier than woolled breeds.
Dorper lambs reached a slaughter weight of 33.6 kg at
an age of 131 days, compared to 137 days for Dohne
Merinos and 176 days for Merinos (Basson et al.,
1970). Snyman (1998 ± unpublished), accordingly
found that Dorper lambs reached a slaughter weight
of approximately 41 kg at 169 days of age, compared
to 191 days in Afrinos and 339 days in Merinos. It is
important to remember that marketing age is depen-
dent upon a combination of live weight and body
condition (fat depth and distribution). Differences in
slaughter age reported by different authors in Table 6
can be ascribed to different environments and lambing
systems. For example, results of Snyman et al. (1996)
and Snyman (1998 ± unpublished) were based on data
from surplus ewe and culled ram lambs raised under
extensive conditions. Where Dorper, Afrino and Mer-
ino lambs were compared (Snyman, 1998 ± unpub-
lished), lambs born at two locations and in two seasons
were included. Lamb data analysed by Brand (1992)
and Van Niekerk and Steenkamp (1995) were, respec-
tively, collected under natural pasture and feedlot
conditions.

Table 6
Slaughter traits, dressing percentage and grading of Dorper lamb carcasses

Slaughter Dressing Percentage (%) Highest grade (%) Reference

Weight (kg) Age (days)

33.6 131 51.7 82.0 Basson et al. (1970)

31.0 92±125 50.1±52.6 56±79 Pretorius (1970)
32.0 136±238 47.0±50.2 ± Terblanche et al. (1973)
± ± ± 44±46 Boshoff (1986)
45.0 150 48.9±51.6 ± Brand (1992)
± ± 49.9±52.1 ± Strydom et al. (1995)
25±40 ± 40.7±51.1 ± Van Niekerk and Steenkamp (1995)
42.0 294 48.5 ± Snyman et al. (1996)
40.0 245 50.5 ± Snyman (1998 ± unpublished)
41.0 169 48.8 35.8 Snyman (1998 ± unpublished)
130 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135
Table 7
Measurements recorded on Dorper lamb carcasses
Carcass length (cm) Hind leg measurementsa (cm)
Circum-ference Length
± ± ± ±
90±103 ± 32±37
105 69 35
107 71 37
103 70 34
a
De®nitions: V1±Fat depth between the 3rd and 4th scaral vertebrae, 25 mm from the midline; V3±Fat depth between the 3rd and 4th
lumbal vertebrae, 25 mm from the midline; V5±Fat depth between the 9rd and 10th rib, 25 mm from the midline.
The advantage of Dorper lambs being marketed at
an earlier age is that more ewes can be kept per hectare
than ewes belonging to breeds with a similar lambing
performance but a later marketing age of lambs (Sny-
man, 1998 ± unpublished).
7.2. Dressing percentage and carcass traits
Dressing percentages of Dorper lambs reported in
the literature (Table 6) are relatively constant at
approximately 50% for a wide range of conditions.
According to Van Niekerk and Steenkamp (1995),
dressing percentage increased with slaughter age of
lambs from approximately 40% when slaughtered at
25 kg live weight to approximately 50% when slaugh-
tered at a live weight of 40 kg. Dorper lambs generally
had higher dressing percentages than woolled breeds
in all available comparative studies (Basson et al.,
1970; Pretorius, 1970; Brand, 1992).
Carcass measurements reported since 1992 are
summarised in Table 7. These can unfortunately not
be compared to earlier measurements (Pretorius,
1970; Terblanche et al., 1973) due to different meth-
ods of assessment. The V3±fat depth measurement
(see Table 7 for de®nition) was used from 1981/1982
till 1994 to classify carcasses into various classes.
Super was the top grade (V3ˆ 4±7 mm), followed by
Grade 1 (too lean) and Grade 2 (too fat). Classi®cation
of Dorper lamb carcasses (44±46% being awarded the
highest grade) slaughtered during 1983±1985 at the
major SA abbatoirs (Boshoff, 1986; Table 6) compares
well with results obtained on the Carnarvon experi-
mental station, where 36% of the carcasses achieved
the highest grade (Snyman, 1998 ± unpublished; Table
6). Seasonal variation in environmental conditions
Fat depth measurementsa (mm) Reference
V1 V3 V5
3.3±5.6 ± Brand (1992)
3.5±12.8 ± 1.0±5.8 Van Niekerk and Steenkamp (1995)
7.4 5.6 1.1 Snyman et al. (1996)
6.8 5.9 1.4 Snyman (1998 ± unpublished)
5.7 4.2 3.0 Snyman (1998 ± unpublished)
could most probably account for differences obtained
between these two studies. Earlier work (Basson et al.,
1970; Pretorius, 1970) recorded much higher percen-
tages of lambs being awarded the highest grade. This
could most probably be ascribed to the different
classi®cation systems being in place.
7.3. Properties of lamb produced from Dorpers
Studies in which various carcass quality traits, such
as muscle:bone:fat ratios among cuts, as well as traits
such as ageing ability, palatability, tenderness, aroma,
etc. of Dorper lamb were evaluated, are available in
the literature (Webb et al., 1991; Casey, 1992; Webb
and Casey, 1992; Webb et al., 1994a,b; Strydom et al.,
1995; Von Seydlitz, 1996), and will not be elaborated
upon further.
8. Skins
Dorper skins, known as glover skins, are highly
regarded and sought after for processing into clothing
leather (Terblanche, 1979). The leather quality of
these skins is, however, poorly documented. Results
of a study in which skins of 10 South African sheep
breeds were evaluated for leather properties, indicated
that Dorper skins were superior to woolled sheep
skins, while they compared favourably with skins of
the different indigenous hair sheep breeds (Snyman
and Jackson-Moss, 1998).
9. Genotypes within the Dorper breed
Animals within the Dorper breed are classi®ed into
different types, mainly according to their ¯eece cover
 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135 131

Table 8
Mean (SE, where applicable) live weight and reproductive performance recorded for hair and wool Dorper ewes under extensive conditions

Trait Line

Hair Wool
Pre-mating live weight (kg) 55.3 (0.8) 53.8 (0.8)
Ewe fertility (ewes lambed per ewe mated) 0.85 0.82
Litter size (lambs born per ewe lambed) 1.54 1.54
Lamb survival (lambs weaned per lamb born) 0.91 0.91
Reproduction rate (lambs weaned per ewe mated) 1.20 1.16
Weight of lamb weaned per ewe mated (kg) 33.0 (0.9) 31.5 (0.9)

(Campbell, 1989). These types are a hair-type and a
wool-type, with an intermediate (hair±wool)-type
between them. Several perceptions as to the produc-
tive and reproductive potential of these types exist
among breeders and farmers, with very limited scien-
ti®c evidence to verify it. Studies comparing these
types have therefore been done recently, in order to
substantiate these perceptions (Van Niekerk and
Steenkamp, 1995; Snyman, 1998 ± unpublished). In
the former study, growth and carcass traits were
evaluated under intensive conditions. The ef®ciency
of production of hair- and wool-type Dorpers were
evaluated under extensive conditions in the study of
Snyman (1998 ± unpublished).
9.1. Reproductive performance of hair- and wool-
type Dorper ewes
Snyman (1998 ± unpublished) maintained 110 hair-
and 110 wool-type ewes under extensive conditions
at the Carnarvon experimental station. All ewes
were hand-mated once a year during autumn and
complete pedigree and performance records were
kept. Young ewes were mated for the ®rst time at 7
months of age. There were no signi®cant differences
between hair- and wool-type ewes with regard to any
of the reproduction parameters (Table 8). It is further
interesting to note that these ®gures correspond very
well with other literature estimates summarised in
Tables 1±4.
9.2. Growth and conformation traits of hair- and
wool-type Dorper lambs
The growth performance till weaning of hair- and
wool-type Dorper lambs born and raised under exten-
sive conditions (Snyman, 1998 ± unpublished) is
compared in Table 9. It is obvious that (as was the
case with reproduction) there were no differences
between types with regard to live weight and growth

Table 9
Mean (SE) growth performance and ¯eece cover of hair and wool type Dorper lambs under extensive conditions

Trait Ram lambs Ewe lambs

Hair line Wool line Hair line Wool line

Live weight (kg) at:

42 days 16.3 (0.1) 16.2 (0.1) 15.2 (0.1) 15.2 (0.1)
100 days 31.3 (0.2) 31.1 (0.2) 28.6 (0.2) 28.8 (0.2)
Fleece covera at:
Birthb 9.3 (0.4) 23.1 (0.4) 9.4 (0.4) 22.1 (0.4)
Weaningb 8.9 (0.4) 23.3 (0.4) 8.5 (0.4) 21.9 (0.4)
Condition score at weaning 27.0 (0.3) 27.0 (0.3) 29.0 (0.3) 29.0 (0.3)
Growth rate (kg per day) 0.265 (0.002) 0.263 (0.002) 0.242 (0.002) 0.242 (0.002)
a
Fleece cover and condition score were assessed on a linear scale ranging from 1 to 50.
b
Signi®cant differences between hair lambs and wool lambs within the same sex (p<0.0001).
132 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135

Table 10
Carcass measurements of wool and hair type Dorper lambs slaughtered at approximately 40 kg live weight

Trait Snyman (1998 ± unpublished) Van Niekerk and Steenkamp (1995)

Hair lambs Wool lambs Hair lambs Wool lambs

Number of observations 156 106 12 12

Carcass weight (kg) 19.2a (0.1) 19.7 (0.2) 20.2 19.3
Dressing percentage (%) 49.9a (0.4) 51.2 (0.4) 51.1 48.7
Slaughter age (days) 242 (5) 251 (6) ± ±
Carcass length (cm) 105.8a (0.4) 107.2 (0.5) 102.3 101.5
Hind leg length (cm) 36.3a (0.2) 40.0 (0.3) 35.7 37.3
Fat depth (mm)b:
V1 6.6 (0.4) 7.0 (0.4) 12.8 8.4
V3 5.8 (0.3) 6.0 (0.4) 5.7 5.5
V5 1.4 (0.1) 1.4 (0.1) ± ±
a
Signi®cant (p<0.01) differences between hair and wool lambs (Snyman, 1998 ± unpublished).
b
De®nitions: V1±Fat depth between the 3rd and 4th sacral vertebrae, 25 mm from the midline; V3±Fat depth between the 3rd and 4th
lumbal vertebrae, 25 mm from the midline; V5±Fat depth between the 9rd and 10th rib, 25 mm from the midline.

traits. The ®gures also accorded very well with the
literature estimates in Table 5.
9.3. Carcass and skin traits of hair- and wool-type
Dorper lambs
Data from two studies comparing carcass traits of
hair and wool Dorper lambs are available. In the ®rst
study, hair-, wool- and hair±wool-type lambs were
kept under intensive feedlot conditions from weaning
and slaughtered at either 25, 30, 35 or 40 kg live
weight (Van Niekerk and Steenkamp, 1995). In the
other study, surplus hair- and wool-type lambs born
and raised under extensive conditions (Snyman, 1998
± unpublished) were slaughtered at approximately
40 kg live weight. Full carcass measurements, as
described by Bruwer (1984), were taken in both trials.
For the purpose of this review, only results from lambs
slaughtered at 40 kg live weight were included as far
as the study of Van Niekerk and Steenkamp (1995)
was concerned.
The dressing percentage of wool lambs was higher
than that of hair lambs in the study of Snyman (1998 ±
unpublished). The opposite trend, albeit non-signi®-
cant, was observed in the study of Van Niekerk and
Steenkamp (1995). Carcass length and the length of
the hind leg were longer in wool than hair lambs in
the former study, which accorded with the study of
Van Niekerk and Steenkamp (1995). With regard to
fat measurements, no signi®cant differences were
observed between groups in either study. As grading
is based primarily on V3 fat measurements, it is clear
that no substantial differences occurred between types
(Table 10).
The skins from hair Dorpers were slightly better
than skins from wool Dorpers as far as some leather
quality parameters were concerned (Snyman and Jack-
son-Moss, 1998).
10. Conclusions
This review has shown that the Dorper is an adap-
table sheep breed, capable of maintaining acceptable
levels of production under a wide variety of condi-
tions. There is clearly a lack of information on some
aspects of Dorper production, including studies on
ovulation rate, embryo survival as well as skin and pelt
production. Moreover, the lack of genetic and envir-
onmental parameters for Dorper sheep under different
production systems is alarming. It is thus impossible to
formulate a breeding plan based on scienti®c data at
present. The judicious recording of production in
experimental and commercial Dorper ¯ocks should
thus receive high priority. Data obtained in this man-
ner should be subjected to rigorous statistical evalua-
tion, to assist in the formulation of well-de®ned
selection objectives in a scienti®c breeding plan for
the Dorper breed.
 S.W.P. Cloete et al. / Small Ruminant Research 36 (2000) 119±135
Acknowledgements
We wish to acknowledge the assistance of collea-
gues (Drs J.J. Olivier, P.R. King and Mr T.T. de
Villiers) for technical and editorial suggestions during
the preparation of the manuscript.
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