The Wiltshire Horn Sheep's exact beginnings are unknown. Some believe they are descendents of sheep taken to Britain by the Romans with origins beginning with some of the wild European Sheep. Whatever the exact beginnings are, the Wiltshire Horn Sheep has become very popular for a variety of reasons. One of the main uses of the Wiltshire Horn Sheep is using it to crossbreed with other sheep to create a hybrid, and ultimately at times a new breed of sheep, with an increase in hardiness and meat characteristics. Documentation exists that show the popularity of these sheep since the 1700's in Britain. In 1923 the Wiltshire or Western Sheep Breeders Association was formed and standards of the sheep, including the natural shedding of a winter wool coat in the summer were set. In 1931 the association became the Wiltshire Horn Sheep Society. While some may debate whether or not the Wiltshire Horn Sheep is a hair sheep which sheds like the Corsican Sheep (Painted Desert, American Blackbelly, Texas Dall, Black Hawaiian) do in the Summer, according to Richard Ling, Chair of the Council of the Wiltshire Horn Sheep Society in correspondence dated 02-02-07, the Wiltshire Horn Sheep "is a hair sheep or shedding sheep".
The Wiltshire Horn Sheep have been used to create several popular breeds in Great Britain, the United States and Europe: the Katahdin Sheep Breed, the Easy Care Sheep Breed and the Nolana Sheep Breed and is now being used in creation of the New Mexico Dahl Breed. In Australia, these sheep are crossed with Merino to produce prime lamb with less external parasite problems.
The Wiltshire Horn Sheep's exact beginnings are unknown. Some believe they are descendents of sheep taken to Britain by the Romans with origins beginning with some of the wild European Sheep. Whatever the exact beginnings are, the Wiltshire Horn Sheep has become very popular for a variety of reasons. One of the main uses of the Wiltshire Horn Sheep is using it to crossbreed with other sheep to create a hybrid, and ultimately at times a new breed of sheep, with an increase in hardiness and meat characteristics. Documentation exists that show the popularity of these sheep since the 1700's in Britain. In 1923 the Wiltshire or Western Sheep Breeders Association was formed and standards of the sheep, including the natural shedding of a winter wool coat in the summer were set. In 1931 the association became the Wiltshire Horn Sheep Society. While some may debate whether or not the Wiltshire Horn Sheep is a hair sheep which sheds like the Corsican Sheep (Painted Desert, American Blackbelly, Texas Dall, Black Hawaiian) do in the Summer, according to Richard Ling, Chair of the Council of the Wiltshire Horn Sheep Society in correspondence dated 02-02-07, the Wiltshire Horn Sheep "is a hair sheep or shedding sheep".