Swaledale (sheep)

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A Swaledale sheep on a limestone pavement in the Yorkshire Dales, UK.
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A Swaledale sheep on a limestone pavement in the Yorkshire Dales, UK.

Swaledale is a breed of domestic sheep named after the Yorkshire valley of Swaledale. They are found all over the more mountainous areas of Great Britain, but particularly in County Durham, Yorkshire and the lower fells of Cumbria.

Swaledales are noted for their off-white wool, and curled horns. They are used for production of mutton and are related to Blackface and Rough Fell, two other local sheep. Together with the Rough Fell and Herdwick sheep, they are one of the three variations associated with the English Lake District.