Janicki Horned Dorsets

Janicki Horned Dorsets is a small family farm near Mount Vernon in North-West Washington State.  We breed purebred registered old style Horned Dorset sheep, and are dedicated to improving the genetics and breeding population of this incredible breed.  

Horned Dorsets originated in Dorset County in southern England, and were imported to the US in the mid 1800’s. Originally bred for high milk production, they were raised on sheep dairies in England. This high milk production provides excellent nourishment for lamb growth, and today they are primarily used for meat production.
One of their most valuable market qualities is their ability to breed at any time of the year, which is unusual among sheep. Both the rams and the ewes have horns, which separates them from the Polled Dorset, which was developed later. The Livestock Conservancy lists Horned Dorsets as a threatened breed. 

We began breeding Horned Dorsets in 1979 when we bought our first sheep from a farm in Oregon. In 2001 we artificially inseminated our ewes to a ram from Australia, and in 2009 we did the same with two rams from England. This gives our flock genetics that are fairly unique on the American continent. Our sheep are purebred and registered with the Continental Dorset Club.

We are dedicated to preserving and improving this valuable breed for future generations. Contact us to learn more or if you are interested in breeding stock!  Explore our site to learn more about our bloodlines, the breed history, or our guardian dogs. 
Picture
Ewe 806 with her day-old triplets. March 2019.
Picture
Some of our rams at 18 months old. Fall 2016.