Gulf Coast Native sheep
Gulf Coast Native sheep are a small, hardy breed found in Gulf Coast states. They’re also called Louisiana Scrub, Pineywoods Native, or simply Gulf Coast sheep. They come from many sheep brought to the American South by early European settlers and are now very rare, though they are valued for thriving in hot, humid weather.
Their ancestry goes back to Churra sheep brought to the Americas by the Spanish in the 1400s. Over time they mixed with British and French breeds, and some lines show Tunis influence. Thousands of Gulf Coast sheep once roamed the South, living on open pastures and thriving in tough conditions. Local strains formed in places like Louisiana, Texas, and Florida.
By the mid-1900s, Gulf Coast Native wool made up most of the South’s raw wool, and hundreds of thousands of sheep existed. After World War II, new farming methods and faster, more productive breeds reduced their numbers.
A breed association has existed since 1994. They are listed as critical for conservation and are included in Slow Food USA’s Ark of Taste. Research flocks have been kept by the University of Florida, Louisiana State University, the USDA, and Zoo Atlanta.
Gulf Coast Natives are small and fine-boned: ewes under 180 pounds and rams under 200 pounds (often smaller on poor grazing). They can be horned or hornless. They are mainly raised for meat, but carry a light wool that may be hair-like, about 2.5–4 inches long. Wool is usually white, but can be brown, black, or spotted. They have no wool on faces, bellies, or legs to help stay cool in the heat. They are especially known for resisting parasites and diseases common in hot, humid climates, including foot rot and Haemonchus contortus.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 19:09 (CET).