This is one of the breeds of British livestock about whose origin there is no doubt. They are the lineal descendants of the Dishley Leicesters made famous by Robert Bakewell of Dishley, Leicestershire (1726-95).

Introduced into Northumberland in 1767 by the Brothers Culley who were pupils of Bakewell, these improved Leicesters were soon established on both sides of the border.

When these breeders wanted fresh blood they invariably had recourse to Dishley.

After Bakewell`s death the Northern breeders continued to hire or purchase rams from the south, but this practice was discontinued about 1850. By that time the Northern breeders had evolved a type of sheep which was different from that which found favour in the south, and they began to call their sheep Border Leicesters.

For the past 90 years all pure-bred Border Leicesters (male and female) have been tattooed in both ears and, when registered in the official Flock Book of the Breed Society great care is taken to ensure that they are properly recorded.

Registered flocks are to be found in all parts of Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. Sheep have been exported widely in the early years to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, more recently to France, Spain, Portugal, Canada, U.S.A., Columbia, British Guiana, India, Japan, Yugoslavia, Iran, Hungary, Russia, China and Turkey.

In Australia and New Zealand the breed at present is very strong - in Australia where the Border Leicester Merino cross female is the leading prime lamb mother, there are 990 registered Border Leicester breeders.