[Ross]

I would suggest Dorsets, shearing isn't the worst job going and wool can be a marketable product. Typically Dorsets are agreeable it's mostly how much they are handled and are familiar with you. Young children shouldn't be unsupervised with any farm animal. Some breeds are wilder than others, North County Cheviots are my favorite to pick on based on the 40 or so we have! They have a place in the industry I would imagine them as the best range sheep out there. You do not "need" a dog to work sheep I prefer it and it's a lot easier but bucket trained sheep are fairly managable too. (come for grain) Consider what is available locally for reputable breeders. Buy quality stock and put some time into them, but do consider everything you want the animals to do. Good natured grass munchers isn't any breed in particular.

 

[Ross]

Shearing has some advantages too. As soon as a sheep is shorn it's metabolism accelerates and feed conversion improves in efficency. Makes a preflushing shear all the more effective. Plus the handling during shearing is a good oportunity to condition score, hoof trim, check teeth, etc. All handling is stressful but the more you do the more familiar the sheep become to being handled. You want tame sheep so you'll have to work with whatever breed you get. You'd have to compare costs with prices too. No good sheep is expensive; however some cost too much for what they'll produce so do your math. If I could sell a hair sheep lamb I'd check out Dropers. No idea if they are what you want as "tame" but at least the lambs look a little more promising for putting on meat. Do shop around and be prepared to travel, the right sheep is worth the trouble, for any breed/type.

 

[Ross]

Wool breeds are generally easier to find unrelated sires for and easier to cross breed with a different breed. Nothing uglier than a wool/ hair cross breed. (at least I assume the Kats I saw with patches of wool were cross breeds. There wouldn't be throwbacks to their wooly ancestors would there? )