Zwartbles

The Zwartbles is a breed of domestic sheep originating in the Friesland region of the Netherlands. Primarily used for production of sheep milk as well as lamb and mutton, the Zwartbles has a striking appearance: a black fleece with white markings on the face, feet, and tail (which is traditionally left undocked to show off its white end). Both rams and ewes are polled. Zwartbles are relatively large sheep: ewes weigh an average of 85 kg (190 lb), and rams 100 kg (220 lb).

Traditionally used for both milk and meat in the Netherlands, it declined significantly in use until it was listed as critically rare by the Dutch Rare Breed Survival trust in the mid-1970s. The Zwartbles has more recently been exported to the United Kingdom.