Breed Standard
General Character and Appearance of Miniature Harlequin Sheep
Harlequin sheep are known for easy handling and docile dispositions. They are nurturing mothers and often have multiple lambs. Their small size and easy-keeping metabolism require less acreage per animal compared to other breeds.
General Character & Appearance
Head
The characteristics of the head give each breed its individuality and uniqueness. The Miniature Harlequin is naturally polled. The head is medium length and moderately broad, but not so broad as to be a birthing obstruction.
Muzzle & Face
The muzzle and face should be moderate in width to ensure efficient grazing and moderate in length, straight to slightly dished but not Roman.
Ears
Ears are of medium thickness, moderate in length, level to the poll, proportionate to the head and preferably covered with wool. Short rough hair is acceptable; slick ears are discriminated against. Black or brown-specked ear skin is common.
Eyes
Eyes should be large, bright, brown to yellow or even blue.
Incisor Teeth
Incisor teeth should meet the dental pad.
Neck
Wide at the base and laid well into the shoulders, with skin free of wrinkles.
Chest
Wide and deep.
Size
Measurements are at the shoulder and perpendicular to the ground on shorn sheep. Harlequin Sheep should be under 24" tall at shoulder.
Colors
Harlequins are known for varying patterns of black and white spots as lambs, maturing to cocoa brown, shades of white, gray, and black.
Wool
Wool is of medium character. Micron count ranges from 25–35 microns and yearly staple length from 3"–6". The fiber is highly crimped. Some fleeces are open with luster and individual locks while others have a closed fleece that is shorter with less luster and a disorganized crimp structure. The wool should be dense and consistent from the shoulder to the hip and as far back on the leg as possible. Fleeces are 4–8 lbs per year. Fleeces should not part along the back and kemp should not be present. Quilting may be present and is not considered a fault. Harlequins are single coated. Wool is spotted in many cases but single-color sheep are also found and not to be faulted.
Forequarters: Shoulders, Back & Loin
Shoulders
Shoulders should be well muscled, well laid into the ribs and level with the back. The width at the shoulders should be less than the width at the hips to facilitate easy lambing.
Loin
The loin should be long, wide, and thick.
Ribs
The ribs should be deep and wide, thick through the heart girth and well sprung.
Hindquarters: Feet & Legs
Legs
Short to medium length, straight legs should stand squarely at each corner. Rear legs should stand wide but squarely under the sheep with some angulation of the hocks and slight angulation of the pasterns.
Rump
The rump should be wide and long.
Tail
Large and set almost level with the chin.
Thighs
Thighs should show medium muscling.
Hooves
Hooves come in a variety of colors.
Characteristics NOT Accepted in the Harlequin Breed
- ✕Horns attached to the skull. (Scurs are accepted for breeding animals and in the show ring as they are a genetic anomaly that cannot be predicted or eliminated completely.)
- ✕One or both testicles not descended
- ✕Incisor teeth not meeting the dental pad
- ✕Inverted eyelids
- ✕Scrotal rupture
Scurs vs Horns: What You Need to Know
Scurs
Scurs are small, rounded portions of horn tissue that are not firmly attached to the skull. Unlike true horns, scurs grow from the skin and lack blood vessels and nerves. They are caused by a genetic mutation and are exceptionally rare.
Scurs are allowed in the Harlequin breed and are not disqualifying in the show ring. Breeders should not be financially penalized for scurs, as these animals remain useful to the growth and future of the breed.
True Horns
True horns are attached to the bone of the cranium, have blood vessels and nerves, and can be confirmed through cranial scans. They are controlled by three genes: P (dominant for polled), p (sex-linked for non-polled), and p' (produces horns in both ewes and rams).
True horns are not accepted in the Harlequin breed.
HSSR Stance on Scurs
The only science available currently is the likelihood of horns, not scurs — that's how rare they are. Considering horns (and to a lesser extent scurs) have been scientifically studied with no clear predictability or identified genetic markers, it is of no concern in the giant scheme of things.
Trying to hold breeders of any naturally polled sheep breeds financially liable for scurs is unfair, as the animal is as useful as any other. To wether a good example of everything else that makes a Harlequin just because of scurs is a waste of precious stock we need.
— Jill Christopher, HSSR