Re: Spin Off survey: Shetland = a down breed?

[Sara von Tresckow]

My information from the British Sheep breeds comes from a book, published by 
the British Wool Marketing Board in 1990 - greatly revised from the edition 
I bought in the 70's - still in print at Unicorn books.
While I realize that there is a modern trend to categorize everything, as 
quickly as possible, what I was saying is that if a breed originates in 
England, it is the British and not some other nation who define its 
characteristics.
If shepherds here think that Shetlands are better with double coats or make 
other modifications, it is up to them to either come up with a new name for 
that sheep, or make allowances in the descriptions for the modified version 
that they keep.
There are many other countries with various breeds of sheep seldom discussed 
in US spinning literature - most probably because of the lack of persons 
knowledgeable in other languages and sheep together. The same would hold 
true here - in the country of origin lies the right/responsibility to define 
the breed.
I find that the newer spinning books are overly quick to "judge" everything 
by categories that are not always founded in any literature - may seem cool, 
but leads to impasse situations when many people start discussing the 
subject.
Sara von Tresckow, Fond du Lac, WI
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http://www.woolgatherers.com Dutch Master Loom/Spinning Chairs/Vxabdck Looms
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