What is a characteristic of purebred sheep?

A characteristic of purebred sheep is that they are used primarily for genetic improvement. Purebred sheep are selectively bred to maintain specific traits and characteristics within a breed, which allows for the enhancement of desirable qualities such as growth rate, wool quality, hardiness, and disease resistance. This selective breeding process helps to produce offspring that are predictable in their performance and traits, which is essential for both commercial and breeding purposes.

Focusing on genetic improvement allows breeders to make informed decisions about mating practices and to achieve specific goals for their sheep production systems. This is crucial in ensuring that traits can be reliably passed down from generation to generation, benefiting the overall productivity and performance of the flock.

While it is true that purebred sheep can sometimes command higher prices due to their pedigree and breeding potential, this is not a defining characteristic of them. Additionally, they are not necessarily bred for higher meat yield or improved taste specifically—those traits can depend on various factors including the individual sheep's diet and management rather than solely their breeding.