Mission Statement
The purpose of the Texas Hill Country Dorper Group is to work
together to promote the positive attributes of Dorper and White
Dorper sheep in the Texas Hill Country Region while educating
ourselves, providing information for new potential growers and
working toward profitability for producers and the
American Dorper
Sheep Breeders’ Society.
Officers and Committees
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President
- Tina Wilson - 325-378-2789
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Vice President - Sandra Kirchner - 830-997-9133
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Treasurer - James Hurst - 830-755-2435
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Secretary - Doylene Bode - 830-864-4524
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Sales Chairman - Brad Roeder - 830-889-4512
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Webmaster -
Mike Sudderth - 830-990-8486
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Lloyd Wendel & Brad Roeder - Explore show opportunities - 830-889-4512 (R) 830-864-4917 (W)
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Refreshment Chairman - Jeanie Voight - 830-995-3345
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Promotional Chairman - Tina Wilson - 325-378-2789
Dorper History and
Background
The Dorper breed was developed in South Africa during the 1930s by
crossing the Dorset ram to the Black Headed Persian ewe, which was
indigenous to Africa. This new breed was born out of a necessity to
have sheep that would have good meat qualities, yet be able to
thrive in the arid conditions of South Africa. Selection was pursued
to produce top carcass characteristics as well as having high
fertility and lambs that would grow out quickly. Dorpers were
imported into North America in the mid 1990s. The Dorper and White
Dorper are maintained as separate breeds, but they only differ in
color. Bred for its lean, tender meat, its broad frame and ideal
muscling, the Dorper is a very good forager, tolerant to a broad
range of conditions, capable of breeding year-round with increased
lambing percentages as compared to wool-type sheep in studies at the
Texas A&M University. The breed is particularly well suited for
small growers since there is not a need to shear the sheep. Some
growers are using these sheep to help maintain their properties
rather than mowing grass and spraying weeds.
Dorper & White Dorper Breed Characteristics
Intelligence:
The Dorper is a smart, intelligent sheep that is easy to work. It is
generally easy to handle, free moving and usually not aggressive.
Dorpers definitely have their own unique personalities.
Hardiness:
Able to adapt to the environment, either hot or cold climate. Does
well under harsh, extensive conditions, as in more intensive
operations.

Grazing Habits:
Dorpers are non-selective grazers. They browse in a similar manner
to a goat and have the ability to graze at a higher level than
traditional sheep. They are productive in areas where other breeds
could not survive.
Non-Seasonal Breeding:
Will breed at any time of year with the ability to produce lambs
three times in two years.

Fertility and Mothering:
Excellent mothers who produce good quantities of milk. They are very
fertile, generally a primipara (first ‘lamber’) will have one lamb,
but twins and triplets are common in older, experienced ewes. Ewe
lambs can be bred at 8-10 months of age.
Growth Rates:
The growth rate in this breed is exceptional. Lambs are vigorous and
have high survivability. Under good conditions lambs are able to
reach 80 lb live weight in 3.5 to 4 months. The lambs are excellent
feed converters; they put all their energy into meat production.
Mature rams average 240-275 lbs. Mature ewes reach 155-200 lbs.
Conformation:
Well put-together carcasses with good fat distribution.
Early Maturity:
Dorpers mature early sexually, some ram lambs can begin to work at
four to five months, and ewes can begin cycling at 5 months of age.
Normal breeding age for ewes is eight to 10 months.
Parasite Tolerance:
The Dorper is not resistant to parasites, but appears to have a
higher tolerance to internal parasites than most other breeds. This
allows for less drenching and also makes the Dorper a good
proposition for organic farming.
Cross breeding:
This breed crosses well with commercial sheep of other breeds. In
Texas, Dorpers are often crossed with Rambouillet or Katahdin.
Breed Standards
A
well-balanced sheep with strong, deep, wide body and correct legs
and feet. Rams must be well muscled and strong from the front to the
back. Ewes must be lighter in front and getting bigger and heavier
to the back (a wedge shape). A ewe needs to look feminine with a
feminine head, and a long graceful neck.
Head:
Strong and long with triangle shape. Eyes widely spaced, strong nose
and strong mouth with well-fitted jaw. Long ears are preferable and
are usually indicative of calmer sheep. A developed horn base or
small horns are the ideal on a ram. Heavy horns are undesirable. The
head must be covered with short, dullish black hair in the Dorper
and white hair in the White Dorper.
Neck:
Medium length, well fleshed, broad and well coupled in the
ram...long and graceful in the ewe.
Shoulders and
Chest:
Shoulders firm, broad and strong with
good muscling on the forearm for rams. A moderate protrusion of the
brisket with correct foreleg placement and moderate width between
the legs. Shoulders, which appear loose, a brisket that protrude too
much or too little, are faulty.

Barrel:
Long, deep and wide body. The sheep must have a long straight back
and not a 'devil's grip'. A slight dip behind the shoulders is
permissible. Ribs must be well sprung.
Hindquarter:
Long and wide rump. The inner and outer twist is to be well-fleshed
and deep in rams.

Legs:
Strong, well placed with strong pasterns and hooves not too widely
split. The hocks must be strong without a tendency to turn in or
out. X-legs, sickle, cow, or strait hocks are culling faults.
Reproductive
Organs:
Scrotum of the ram should not be too
long and the testicles of equal size and not too small…reaching
about half way to the ground. Well-shaped udder and reproductive
organs in ewe.

Cover:
The ideal is a short, loose, light mixture of hair and wool and with
a natural clean kemp (hair) underline in adult sheep.
Color and
Pigmentation:
Good color and pigmentation.
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Dorpers:
A white sheep with black confined to the head and neck is the ideal.
Black spots, to a limited extent on the underline of the body and on
the legs are permissible. Brown hair around the eyes, unpigmented
teats, white under the tail or white hoofs are undesirable.
• White
Dorpers: A white sheep, fully pigmented around the eyes, under
the tail, on the udder and the teats is the ideal. A limited number
of other colored spots are permissible on the ears and underline.
General
Appearance:
The sheep should be symmetrical and
well proportioned. A calm temperament with a vigorous appearance is
the ideal.
Current Members
Click Here To View Current
Members
News and Upcoming Events
Midwest Stud Ram Sale
June, 2009 Sedalia,
Missouri
National Dorper Junior
Show June 2009
Gillespie County Fair August
23-24, 2008, Fredericksburg, Texas
A Dorper Sheep show will take place during the
Gillespie County Fair on August 21, 2009 , at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds in Fredericksburg. Both Dorpers and White Dorpers will be exhibited and the show is open to the State of Texas. Check in by 3:00 pm, show at 6:00 pm. There is a fee of $5.00 per entry, non refundable. For a Gillespie County Fair catalog please call the Fair Grounds at 830-997-2359. A wether class for 4-H and FFA members may be added to help exhibitors get ready for the State Fair of Texas. This show will not be in the catalog this year but a $5 entry fee will apply and will be collected at the show. For other information please call Brad Roeder. 830-889-4512
Texas Hill Country
Dorper Association Show and Sale
September 11-12, 2009, Fredericksburg, Texas
CLICK ON THE DOCUMENT TO VIEW AND PRINT
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RULES
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ENTRY FORM
Send entrees to:
Mike Sudderth
1008 Buckeye Rd
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Be sure to include a check for your entrees.
Entry deadline for the Catalog is 1 August 2009
Overall deadline for entrees is 15
August 2009
SUMMARY
YOUTH FUTURITY PROGRAM
North American International Livestock
Exposition
November 7-20, 2009, Louisville, Kentucky
Links
www.dorperamerica.org/
American Dorper Sheep Breeders’
Society
http://www.sheepusa.org/
American Sheep Industry
Association
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/dorper/index.htm
OSU Breeds of livestock, sheep
and Dorpers
http://www.dorper.com.au/
Dorper Sheep Breeders’ Society of
Australia, Inc.
http://www.dorper.com/index.html
Dolf Lategans’ Dorper Sheep Page
http://www.americanlambboard.org/
American Lamb Board
http://www.attra.org/
National Sustainable Agriculture
Information Service
http://www.tahc.state.tx.us/
Texas Animal Health Commission
http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/articles/index.html
Purdue University Sheep Extension
http://stephenville.tamu.edu/taes.html
Texas Agricultural Experiment
Station
http://www.genecheck.com/
Gene Check, Inc.
Contact Us
CONTACT US !!
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COME VISIT !! |
E-mail a Friend
http://www.thcdorperassociation.com
Join Us
The annual membership to the Texas Hill Country Dorper Association is $25.00. Please contact James Hurst
(830)755-2435 or Tina Wilson (325)378-2789 for additional information. The year begins in April. To join, make checks payable to: THC Dorper Assn.
Mail to:
James Hurst
30601 A IH 10 West
Boerne, TX 78006
Publications and Resources
Lategan,
Dolf. 2006. Dorpers into the new century. Brochure and Training
Manual. Dorper sheep breeder’s society of South Africa. 3rd
edition. 104 p.
Ranch &
Rural Living Magazine
http://www.ranchmagazine.com/
The
Shepherd
shepmag@bright.net
The
Banner Sheep Magazine
http://www.bannersheepmagazine.com/
Sheep!
Magazine
http://www.sheepmagazine.com/
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WWW.THCDORPERASSOCIATION.COM
For Show or Sale information call Brad Roeder ~ 830-889-4512 or
Alan McAnelly ~ 254-372-4512
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