Harlequin Generations

Understanding the HSSR generation classification system

AP — American Purebred

The Highest Generation

Both parents are C Generation. This is the highest generation in the HSSR registration process and represents the American Purebred Harlequin. The goal is to reach 500 AP Harlequin sheep, at which point the breed will be closed to all outcrossing.

Generation Calculator

Use the calculator below to find the offspring generation for any pairing, see the fastest path to AP from any starting generation, and explore the full cross-reference matrix.

Generation Calculator

Select the generation of each parent to see the offspring's registration generation.

RAM Generation

EWE Generation

Offspring Generation

F2 — Second Foundation

Fastest Path to AP — Starting with F1-BD in 2025

Assumes optimal mate sourcing each season. Each row = one lamb crop year.

Lamb Year	Your Animal	Best Mate	Offspring
2026	F1-BD	A	F2
2027	F2	F2	FP
2028	FP	FP	A
2029	A	A	B
2030	B	B	C
2031	C	C	AP

AP reached: 2031(6 breeding seasons from 2025)✓ Within the 2035 program deadline

Full Cross-Reference Matrix

Rows = RAM generation · Columns = EWE generation · Cell = Offspring generation

RAM ↓ / EWE →	BBD	F0	F1-BD	F1	F2	FP	A	B	C	AP
BBD	—	—	F0	F1-BD	F1-BD	F1-BD	F1-BD	F1-BD	F1-BD	F1-BD
F0	—	—	—	—	—	—	F1-BD	F1-BD	F1-BD	F1-BD
F1-BD	F0	—	F1-BD	F1	F1	F1	F2	F2	F2	F2
F1	F1-BD	—	F1	F1	F2	F2	F2	F2	F2	F2
F2	F1-BD	—	F1	F2	FP	FP	FP	FP	FP	FP
FP	F1-BD	—	F1	F2	FP	A	A	A	A	A
A	F1-BD	F1-BD	F2	F2	FP	A	B	B	B	B
B	F1-BD	F1-BD	F2	F2	FP	A	B	C	C	C
C	F1-BD	F1-BD	F2	F2	FP	A	B	C	AP	AP
AP	F1-BD	F1-BD	F2	F2	FP	A	B	C	AP	AP

Click any cell to load that pairing into the calculator above. — = Not Registerable.

Generation Summary

Generation	Category	Parent Requirements
F1-BD	Foundation Cross	Registered Harlequin × Registered Babydoll Southdown
F2	Foundation	F1 × F1, or F1 × higher generation
FP	Foundation Pure	F2 × F2, or F2 × higher generation
A	True Harlequin	FP × FP, or FP × higher generation
B	True Harlequin	A × A, or A × higher generation
C	True Harlequin	B × B, or B × higher generation
AP	American Purebred	C × C, C × AP, or AP × AP (at least one parent must be C or AP generation)

The Harlequin Generations Program

Based on the need to increase the gene pool, HSSR closed the Open Registration program as of January 1, 2023. In its place, HSSR introduced a definitive program for outcrossing registered Harlequins to registered Babydoll Southdown sheep.

Babydolls were chosen as the only approved outcross for two reasons: first, Southdown rams were used in the original breed development; second, Babydoll Southdowns offer the opportunity to produce shorter sheep. The primary goal is preserving the Harlequin appearance while bringing shoulder height consistently to 24" or shorter (but not less than 19").

These guidelines apply to all lambs born and registered from 2023 through 2035, at which time no further outcrossing will be allowed.

Foundation Harlequins

F1-BD identifies lambs on their Certificate of Registration (CoR) as a 50% registered Harlequin / 50% registered Babydoll Southdown cross.

F1-BD bred back to a registered Harlequin (F1, F2, FP, A, B, C, or AP) produces lambs registered at the resulting generation level shown in the matrix below. There is essentially no genetic difference between F1 and F1-BD generations.

Any F1-BD must be bred to either: (1) a registered Babydoll — resulting lambs receive the F0 designation, or (2) a Harlequin of generation A, B, C, or AP — resulting lambs are registered as F2. Cross-breeding of F1-BD generation lambs is allowed until 2035.

F1-BD sheep bred back to a registered Babydoll Southdown: their F0 progeny must be bred back to a registered Harlequin of generation A or higher until 2035 to remain eligible for registration.

F2: One parent is F1 and the other parent is a Harlequin of a higher generation, or both parents are F1.

FP (Foundation Pure): One or both parents are F2, or one parent is F2 and the other is a Harlequin of a higher generation.

True Harlequins

A: One or both parents are FP, or one parent is FP and the other is a Harlequin of a higher generation.

B: One or both parents are A, or one parent is A and the other is a Harlequin of a higher generation.

C: One or both parents are B, or one parent is B and the other is a Harlequin of a higher generation.

Purebred Harlequins

AP (American Purebred): Both parents are C Generation. This is the highest generation in the Harlequin registration process and represents the culmination of the breed development program.