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STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR POLL DORSET SHEEP

RAMS
Long, bold, masculine appearance and carriage with strong bone and of robust character.

EWES
Appearance bright, with feminine characteristics.

HEAD
Polled, broad open white face, open nostril, with pink nose and lips, free of pigmentation,well covered with wool from brow to poll.

EYES
Bold, eyelids free of pigmentation and well covered with hair.

MOUTH
Even well set jaw with teeth meeting a wide pad with a firm bite.

EARS
Medium size, white and firm, well covered with hair.

NECK
Medium length, muscular on rams, moulding into the shoulders finer towards the head and such that the sheep can hold its head in an alert position.

SHOULDERS
Shoulder blades should be slightly lower than the spine and sloping away to a smooth setting without excessive movement when walking.

BACK AND LOIN
Broad, long and straight, with well-sprung ribs.

HINDQUARTERS
Full, wide and deep, with flesh extending to the hocks, and well muscled thighs.

TAIL SETTING
Well set up, almost level with the topline.

LEGS AND PASTERNS
Medium length, well placed at the four quarters and free moving, straight between the joints, with strong bone, well woolled to the knees and hocks with pasterns well set up and straight.

FEET
White and compact.

WOOL
Fine 'down' type wool, dense and firm handling, free from kemp.

DEFECTS
See "Guidance To Breeders And Inspectors".

TATTOO MARKS

CULL MARKS

Tasmania

Rams and Ewes.
Key mark in point of near ear.

Victoria, NSW and Queensland.

Victoria - Pincer mark in point of near ear, 1 in. long by 1/8 in.wide.
Queensland - Above mark in near ear of rams, and in off ear of ewes.
New South Wales - Above mark in off ear of rams, and in near ear of ewes.

South Australia and Western Australia.

Rams: Pincer mark in point of near ear, 3/4 in. long by 1/4 in. wide.
Ewes. Pincer mark in point of off ear, 3/4 in. long by 1/4 in. wide.

POLL DORSET RAM - Shorn

POLL DORSET EWE - Shorn

GUIDANCE TO BREEDERS AND INSPECTORS

INTRODUCTION:

In order to carry out the purposes of the Australian Poll Dorset Association Inc. as set out in the Statement of Purposes and Rules and Regulations, it is necessary at times to appoint Inspectors. The purpose of this chapter is:-

(a) To assist Breeders and Inspectors and Judges to achieve a uniformity of interpretation of Association regulations and Breed standards.
(b) To help the Inspector in his approach to his task.
(c) To give the Breeder and the Show Exhibitor an understanding of the

Inspector's task.

The description of a Poll Dorset sheep on the preceding page portrays the ideal for which every breeder should aim. However, in the breeding of Poll Dorsets or any animals for that matter, certain faults will inevitably appear. To assist members in the breeding of the ideal Poll Dorset and in the elimination of defective qualities, the Australian Poll Dorset Association Inc. considers the following defects of major importance, though not in order of priority.

(a) Faulty mouths.
(b) Unsound testes.
(c) Pigmentation of skin, wool or hooves.
(d) Bareness of eyelids and facial skin.
(e) Paper thin ears.
(f) Woolly face.
(g) Bareness of poll site.
(h) Straight hocks or any physical weakness such as hockiness.
(i) Faulty pasterns and twisted feet.
(j) Excessive fat on carcase.
(k) The intrusion of kemp.
(l) Heavy shoulders.

TYPES OF INSPECTIONS:

Inspectors may be appointed by the Association to carry out a variety of tasks, such as -

- the inspection of rams presented for a flock ram auction sale;
- stud ewes and rams presented for stud auction sales;
- sheep presented for exhibition at shows.
- sheep being exported from the country;
- the inspection of a Breeder's entire flock to be carried out on the Breeder's property;
- The inspection of a Breeder's entire flock for dispersal by auction or private treaty.

AIMS:

In broad terms, the aims and objects of the Inspections are:

Firstly to protect and maintain the good name and the accepted standards of type, quality and purity of the Breed; and secondly to help and advise Association members on all matters relating to the Association and the Poll Dorset Breed.

To achieve these aims, the Inspector should:-

(a) Make himself thoroughly conversant with the Association Statement of Purposes and Rules and Regulations, paying particular attention to Regulations 7, 15, 16, 17, 18,19, 21, 22, 23 and 26.
(b) Make himself thoroughly conversant with the "Standard of Excellenceof Poll Dorset Sheep" and the defects listed (a) to (l) above.
(c) Make himself thoroughly conversant with the various abnormalities of the testes including size. In inspecting for abnormalities, the Inspector should always give the ram the benefit of any doubt, only rejecting positively identifiable abnormalities, or upon the opinion of a qualified sheep veterinarian.

A. - THE STUD SALE AND SHOW INSPECTOR

The pre-show Inspector is often acting in the dual capacity of representative of the Show Society, as well as the Breed Association. In addition to ensuring that each exhibit conforms to the standard of type and soundness laid down by the Australian Poll Dorset Association Inc., he must also see that each exhibit conforms to the rules of the Show Society with relation to fairness of preparation, wool length, correct age for class, etc.

In making rulings, the pre-show inspector must clearly state whether it is a breed requirement or a show requirement that is involved.

The Show Inspector should also have in mind the fact that he is approving for public inspection a display window of the Breed.

There may be sheep entered of reasonable quality, but in very poor physical condition, making bad publicity for the Breed. Owners should be asked to withdraw these animals. The rules of most Show Societies allow for this eventuality.

INTERPRETATION:

Some Inspectors, Breeders and Judges have been at a variance with regard to the interpretation of type, colour, mouths, wool, scur growth. This is understandable and must be expected and even accepted, up to a point. Such differences of opinion among Breeders exist in all breed societies. However, it is possible to minimise confusion by agreeing on broad principles in some cases, and by having explicit regulations in others.

1. Type

The combination of two, three or more minor defects can sometimes make an animal so "off type" as to reach culling point. For instance an otherwise good ram could be pigmented around the lips and anus, have paper-thin hairless ears and perhaps a rather effeminate head - a combination which would give no chance in stud company. However, any one of these defects in an otherwise good animal, would be passed.

2. Pigmentation

Registered Poll Dorset sheep shall be essentially white hooved, white woolled, pink skinned and relatively free from all types of pigmentation. Inspectors shall reject sheep with excessive pigmentation of the hooves or skin or with any wool pigmentation.

3. Wool

Wool should be fine "Down"type, dense and firm handling, free from kemp. Long, strong, open, steely with britchiness types of wool are most undesirable.

4. Feet and Legs

Soundness of the feet and legs is of tremendous importance. Splayed feet, weak pasterns, bowed legs, turned in knees or hocks, straight hocks, bulldog shoulders are all hereditary weaknesses that should make a cull of an otherwise good animalif the weakness is pronounced.

5. Mouths

In describing a good mouth, the lower jaw should not be longer than the upper. Nor should it be shorter to the extent where the teeth bite on the roof of the mouth, or on the line of demarkation between the roof and the pad. The teeth themselves should be flat and chisel shaped and should meet the pad with a firm bite.

The perfect mouth is easily recognised. However, perfection of any character is not easily attained, and it would be foolish to lay down inflexible regulations demanding perfection or nothing. We must of course always aim at perfection, but our regulations should allow reasoned compromise if they are to be practicable and useful.

And this is where the problem arises. If we do not demand perfection, what is an acceptable mouth? And can we interpret this uniformly?

Before attempting to suggest an acceptable standard for mouths that are not perfect, the possible defects should be recognised and understood.

Defects of the Mouth and their relative Importance:

1 . The long bottom jaw: (as in a pug dog) is usually quite noticeable in profile before the mouth is opened. This is a serious hereditary defect, is quite unacceptable, and there should be no question that such an animal should be rejected and culled.

2. The short bottom jaw: (as in a pig) is also usually quite apparent in profile. If, on inspecting the mouth, the teeth do not meet the pad, but the roof of the mouth, then this animal also should be culled regardless of other qualities. Again, this is a serious heriditary defect and quite unacceptable.

3. Forward teeth: Teeth from a good bottom jaw, sometimes do not meet the pad with a good firm bite. There are three main reasons why the teeth of a healthy sheep may come forward of the pad:-

(a) Cutting teeth. The bottom jaw of a sheep in the process of cutting his first two permanent teeth is usually swollen and inflamed and temporarily can give the appearance of being forward.

The problem is - how much latitude to give in such a case. It is suggested that, if in your opinion as an Inspector, the mouth will return to normal after cutting, then pass it. If, in your opinion, the mouth will definitely remain a bad one, then reject it. If both you and your fellow inspectors are doubtful (and a careful examination of the side milk teeth may help you reach a decision) then pass it.

(b) Feed mouths: The same principles can be applied to those rams which because of long periods of shed feeding, away from their natural bite, grow elongated teeth that soon begin to push forward over the pad. Although excuses can be made for such a mouth, it is not good, and breeders who present sheep with feed mouths must accept the possibility that their entry may be rejected.

To give a more practical assessment, it is suggested that if the mouth is closed gently, and the teeth touch the front of the pad - it is not a case for rejection. If, however, there is an obvious gap between teeth and pad then rejection would normally follow.

(c) Age: It is true, that the tendency to develop imperfect mouths increases with age, and it would seem that a slightly less severe interpretation with regard to forward teeth could be applied sensibly in the aged classes. However, there should be no compromise with defective lower jaws.

Warning Comments:

Notwithstanding the foregoing remarks, attention is drawn to the following facts:-

1 . There have been many rams prepared for many shows which have retained perfect mouths to the end.

2. Many rams cut their teeth retaining a good mouth throughout the cutting period.

3. Many sheep retain good mouths, with teeth biting hard on the pad to good old ages. If some sheep can do these things, stud breeders should take critical notice of those that do not - and their family strains.

4. Occasionally during cutting period, the gum may become infected, and so swollen as to make a once reasonable mouth look very bad indeed. The owner of such an animal would be well advised to leave him at home until recovered. Inspectors are not prophets and cannot assess such a mouth, and even if they passed it, which they should not do, the Judge cannot consider it on the day.

5. Some breeders, when seeing a short bottom jaw, will remark, "He will be all right when he cuts his teeth". It is true that the slight pig-jaw will often look reasonably passable after he has cut his teeth.

Such rams may be acceptable as flock rams, but Breeders and Inspectors should be aware that these rams carry the harmful recessive gene for short or pig-jaws and they should always be rejected from Show or Stud Sales fixtures.

Summary:

i) Inspectors should reject defective lower jaws - long or short - without compromise.

ii) When the jaw is good, leave minor teeth variations in the capable hands of the Judge.

iii) Give a good sheep the benefit of a doubt.

iv) As a Judge - a good mouth should be given full credit over a doubtful mouth - even if the defect is considered to be a temporary one only.

6. Effect of Combinatlon of Defects

A combination of two or more of the above defects, can also reach the point where culling is advisable. However, any one of these defects could be so bad, on its own, to warrant culling.

7. The Relative Importance of Defects

Up to this point, no mention has been made of carcase conformation, fleshing ability and early maturity. This is not because these things are of lesser importance. On the contrary, all people concerned with the Breed are aware that the maintenance of carcase conformation, fleshing ability and early maturity are of prime importance to the continued success of the Poll Dorset.

Therefore, it is important that the Inspector, the Breeder and the Judge should guard against allowing himself to become a'faddist" on any particular defect. All defects are relative in themselves.

For instance a foot could be so slightly turned that the defect is insignificant. Or it could be so badly deformed that the animal must be culled regardless of other qualities.

Defects are also of relative importance one to another. For instance, a sheep of weak conformation and relatively sound in all other aspects is much more serious than a sheep with good conformation with pigmentation on several parts of its body.

The Inspector should, therefore, have some idea, not only of the relative importance of defects, the aggregate importance of minor defects, but also when the extent of one particular defect reaches culling point.

B-THE FLOCK RAM SALE INSPECTOR

1 . Main Principle

The main principle underlying Flock Ram Sale inspections is to ensure that only healthy, physically sound, fertile rams of good carcase conformation are put before the ram buyer.

The object is to instill into lamb producers a complete and abiding confidence in the rams they purchase at REGISTERED Sales. Inspectors at these sales who worry about pigmentation, inferior heads or indifferent wool quality are not being realistic. Of course, rams that are so "off-type" that their purity is suspect should be cullmarked and a recommendation forwarded to the appropriate Regional Committee that the Owner's flock and breeding methods be investigated.

It should be noted that Regulation 21 (a) and 22 are designed, as stated therein, to cover the sale of STUD rams and ewes, not flock rams.

2. Fly Struck Rams, Foot Abscess and Lameness

Rams submitted to a flock ram sale with any of these conditions should be rejected by the Inspectors. Such a ram should be regarded as a sick ram. His fertility is probably affected and he should not be offered in this condition. This type of rejection increases buyer confidence in inspected sales.

3 Mouths, Feet, Testes

In emphasising the importance of physical soundness of flock rams, Inspectors and Breeders are urged to read carefully the paragraphs on mouths, feet and testes.

4. Summary

Inspectors at a flock ram sale should make it as easy as possible for Breeders to sell vigorous, physically sound rams, and as difficult as possible for Breeders to sell anything physically unsafe, no matter how beautiful his head nor how white his feet.

C.INSPECTION OF REGISTERED FLOCK ON OWNER'S PROPERTY

1. Courtesy

Courtesy and mutual understanding should be the keynote of a Flock Inspection. It should be, and usually is, an interesting and pleasant occasion when two or three stud breeders get together and chat over Association affairs, swap experiences, check over the Breeders flock and discuss his particular problems.

2. Culling

The visiting Inspectors check to see that the Association regulations regarding tattooing, are carried out; that a reasonable standard is being maintained and may possibly cull one or two animals with dangerous breeding potential as a guide to the Breeder. But only if necessary.

It is true that some Breeders leave all their culling to the Inspectors, and these should be treated accordingly. However, most responsible Breeders do their own classing and culling with great care.

There are some Inspectors who feel that they have not done their job properly unless they cull a few animals. This attitude is wrong.

3. Flock Assessment

The Inspectors, having examined a Breeder's entire flock, are in a position to assess the main f lock strengths and weaknesses. No matter how able and experienced the Breeder, he can benefit from such an assessment from the visiting Inspectors who gain an overall picture not obvious to the man who lives with his sheep and sees them daily.

4. Two Suggestions for the Inspector

The Flock Inspector must beware of two pitfalls. Firstly, he must not confuse old age, or low condition, with poor quality. Secondly, he must realise that the man who has yarded his flock for inspection is proud of his flock. Over the years, he has planned it and bred it. This stud is his creation - and like any other creative artist displaying his work to another artist - he is sensitive about it. Feelings can be hurt and resentment aroused by unconstructive or tactless criticism - or by an officious or dictatorial manner.

5. And Two for the Breeder

On the other hand, the Breeder whose flock is being inspected must also realise certain things.

Firstly, his attitude towards inspections should be governed by the knowledge that they are of great value to the Breed in the maintenance of Breed standards and Breed purity; and in engendering confidence in, and demand for, his product.

Secondly, he must realise that the Inspector has been appointed by the Association to do a job, which will cause the Inspector inconvenience, time and expense; that the Inspector is not doing the job by choice, but in the interests of the Association and the Breed. He should not be taken for granted.

6. Expulsion

A Breeder who is completely indifferent to the good name of the Breed or the Association, and whose conduct and breeding methods make a farce of registered stud breeding, does more harm inside the Association than out of it. The recommendation for de-registering a flock may come from the appropriate Region Committee to Council, and de-registration should only be made after the Breeder in question has been given the opportunity to straighten out his flock and his thinking. (See Rule 4 - Discipline.)

D- CONCLUSION

Regional Committees should select their Inspectors with care and should be constantly training new ones by sending them out with the more experienced men.

An Inspector, in addition to his experience as a Breeder, should have special qualifications. He must know the Rules and Regulations of the Association. He must be loaded with tact and understanding, and yet have sufficient moral courage to carry out his duties without fear or favour. A sloppy inspection does more harm than no inspection at all.

A firm, thoughtful, and courteous inspection is of real value to the owner, the Breed and the Association.

FLOCKS DE-REGISTERED AS AT 31/3/2003

KEY

(A) Sold
(B) Transfer of entire stud
(C) Withdrawn
(D) Not lodging a Flock Return and/or paying current/outstanding fees
(E) Amalgamation

Flock No. (Reason) Name and address

4164 (A) ADAMS R G, BOUNTY HILLS, RMB 3552, MANSFIELD VIC 3722.

3011 (D) ALLEN N F & R A & SONS, BAGADANARA, PARKES ROAD, FORBES NSW 2871.

2631 (A) ALSTON B, ALSTONVILLE, JUNEE NSW 2663.

1564 (D) BAKER P M, LODDON PARK, BARINGHUP VIC 3463.

4266 (D) BARTLETT N E & J A, RONAN, ANGUS ROAD, BUGALDIE NSW 2357.

4165 (A) BOSTOCK MRS J M, 19 ROBINSON RD, HAWTHORN VIC 3122.

2879 (A) BROWN B R, PYREE PLAINS, 60 BOORCAN RD, BOORCAN VIC 3265.

3496 (D) BUCK A D, WINDY HILL, MS 6, DUBBO NSW 2830.

1285 (A) BYRON J & A, NARALLEE, TULOONA, RMB 9265, COLERAINE VIC 3315.

1272 (B) CAMPBELL W S & SONS, CATABODY, CALINGIRI WA 6569.

4307 (D) CARNEY J, ELLDEN, AIRPORT ROAD, COWRA NSW 2794.

4237 (D) CARR B & H, OUGHTRINGTON, JOHN ST, CROOKWELL NSW 2583.

4281 (D) CARVELL T G & S M, ROSEVALE, PO BOX 152, NORTHAM WA 6401.

975 (B) CHISHOLM G A & D E, BARKALA, KELLYS PLAINS, ARMIDALE NSW 2350.

2812 (A) DAVIS M J & L R, BELLEVUE, DERGHOLM VIC 3312.

890 (C) DAYMOND G M & M U, APSLEY, 24 L COOREENA RD, DUBBO NSW 2830.

2584 (D) DUNN P J & A L, CURRAWEENA, PEAK HILL NSW 2869.

2564 (D) EASTON F W S FAMILY TRUST, CHITTERBIN, 72 DOONAN ROAD, NEDLANDS WA 6009.

4234 (D) ELIZABETH MACARTHUR HIGH SCHOOL, NATTAI VALLEY, WATERWORTH DRIVE, NARELLAN NSW 2567.

4272 (A) FELDTMANN B L & R E, MAJORVILLE, 605 MAJOR PLAINS RD, MAJOR PLAINS VIC 3725.

1300 (D) FERMER PARTNERSHIP, FERMER, 299 OSMASTON ROAD, WESTBURY TAS 7303.

4173 (C) GILLIES C I, KINKUNA, MANNUS, VIA, TUMBARUMBA NSW 2653.

756 (D) GLENAM FARMING, GLENGARRY, GUNNEDAH ROAD, TAMWORTH NSW 2340.

4285 (C) GOETZ M & PATTISON A, MERRIMU, 2223 GISBORNE RD, COIMADAI VIC 3340.

4288 (D) HALL C, MARONG, C/- POST OFFICE, WESTONIA WA 6423.

4317 (D) HARE R S, BIBBARINGA, WYMAH ROAD, BOWNA NSW 2640.

3237 (C) HOOD J J & D B, SPRINGVALE, BOMBALA NSW 2632.

2984 (D) HOWE G K & A J, RETREAT, MS 4, DUBBO NSW 2830.

3770 (A) JOHNSON G D & C T, BUNDARA, PO BOX 379, KINGSCOTE, KANGAROO ISLAND,SA 5223

3123 (C) JONES MRS I V, MANDALONG, COOLAH NSW 2843.

3925 (A) KINSELLA S, COMELY BANKS, CAIRNLEA LANE, MORTLAKE VIC 3272.

1794 (A) LANE R J & P H, NARRAMBLA, PO BOX 489, ORANGE NSW 2800.

4286 (D) LEISHMAN J & M, WINDY HILL, 97 DIGBY ROAD, HAMILTON VIC 3300.

3953 (D) LOOKER H E, GOODVIEW, LLANGOTHLIN, GUYRA NSW 2365.

1073 (D) LUCKIE PARTNERSHIP GR, BALMARA, RMB 5360, WANGARATTA VIC 3677.

130 (D) MARTIN W S & SONS, BALMORAL, SANDY CREEK SA 5350.

445 (D) MCCLELLAND A, ELDERSLIE, BOX 4, SEA LAKE VIC 3533.

2745 (D) MCKENZIE J F & I J, KURRARA, HOLBROOK NSW 2644.

2985 (A) MCKENZIE R J, AKORA, PO BOX 1339, WEST PERTH WA 6872.

2081 (D) MELBOURNE J, NOONAMEENA, NARRABRI NSW 2390.

3903 (D) MILROY W J, HOLGATE, LAWRENCE RD, RMB 1505, TRAFALGAR VIC 3824.

3505 (D) MULLER W L & M A, NUNLONG, BETHUNGRA NSW 2590.

3991 (A) NELSON G R & L J, BRYNWORTH, LOT 3, ONE TREE HILL RD, ONE TREE HILL SA 5114.

3895 (C) NICHOLAS R J, LAMBKING, 55 RYAN LANE, BROKEN HILL NSW 2880.

3055 (C) O'SULLIVAN J & P, MALABAR FARM, BUFFALO ROAD, TARWIN LOWER VIC 3956.

2144 (D) RANGE VIEW STUD, W J MILROY, RMB 1505, LAWRENCE RD, TRAFALGAR VIC 3824.

1600 (A) RODDIS D J & H B, CHEPSTOWE, RSD, SNAKE VALLEY VIC 3351.

4130 (D) SAGGERS C A & S M, KALYAN, 7 STUBBS RD, ALBANY WA 6330.

4081 (A) SAMUEL M K & RAMSAY S R, MANGAKINO, PO BOX 414, NAIRNE SA 5252.

2660 (C) SARGENT R, SUNNYLANDS, OBERON NSW 2787.

4089 (D) SENIOR Dr D P & C M, CATHCART BRAE, OLD NARACOORTE RD, ROBE SA 5276.

4303 (D) SINNOTT A T, GLENFINNAN, LAKE ROAD, YAMBUK VIC 3285.

3892 (A) SOUTHOBAN, R I SMYTH, SOUTHOBAN, BOX 1854, ALBANY WA 6331.

4282 (D) STAFFORD J D & M J, BLACKJAX, 57 GEORGE ST, INVERELL NSW 2360.

2684 (A) SWALES MISS A M & MRS W J, WOODLANDS, URALLA NSW 2358.

2472 (D) SWANNELL L A & W L, JAZMAT, 140 JOSHUA MEWS, BASKERVILLE WA 6056.

52 (A) TARCOOLA PASTORAL COMPANY, TARCOOLA, TARANA NSW 2787.

3979 (A) THOMSON M W & J H, KOLEYA PARK, PO BOX 7, WERRIMULL VIC 3496.

3544 (A) THORNBERRY A W, GLENAYR, TOOGONG NSW 2864.

2399 (C) TWELFTREE P J & M H, KETRING, 24 SCHILLING ST, ANGASTON SA 5353.

4166 (A) UMBERS P, TRUNDLE PARK, TRUNDLE NSW 2875.

4127 (D) WAIT R, PATYAH, RMB 496, EDENHOPE VIC 3318.

4232 (D) WARRAGUL REGIONAL COLLEGE, GULLWARRA, C/- B PERKIN, BURKE ST, WARRAGUL VIC 3820.

3459 (A) WILLIAMS W F & S C, BENBULLEN, BOX 11, MILLICENT SA 5280.

1680 (C) WILLIS L M & M J, DORILLA PARK, RMB, ARCADIA VIC 3613.

4186 (E) WILSON G & ATKINSON A, HOTHAM HILL, PO BOX 35, BODDINGTON WA 6390.

3 (A) WILSON NH, KISMET WEST, HOPEFIELD VIA, COROWA NSW 2646.

3394 (A) WRIGHT IA & SE, BASALT, RMB E 780, MILLBROOK VIC 3352.

Breed Statistics

Continue to DESIGNATIONS USED IN FLOCK HISTORIES

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Australian Poll Dorset Association Inc. 
Peter Weston (Sec.) GPO Box 75B. Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia. 
Ph +61 3 9817 6711 Fax +61 3 9817 6125 or Email: secretary@polldorset.org.au

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