[mucklingmom]

Hi, gang!
I'm new, and got here searching on sheep breeds. Great site!!
Anyway, my name is Amy, and my husband and I are building our new house on 20 acres of former Hereford pasture in Washington State. We are realizing that we are going to need some animals to keep the vegetation under control. We have our eye on a milk cow, chickens and sheep.
We are wondering what sheep are easiest (since we also have 3 kids under 5) according to the experienced among you, and make good lawnmowers without being too huge?? We were looking into Corriedales, 'cuz we think they're cute, but they're looking awfully big. Does size have anything to do with how manageable they are? Would we need a sheep dog, too? Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks so much for being the voices of experience, here.
Mucklingmom

 

[mucklingmom]

Any type of sheep can be really gentle and easy to handle---especially if it has been raised as a bum.

I'm sorry - I'm unfamiliar with the term "bum" as it relates to sheep. Could you enlighten me on the meaning, please?
Thanks.
I'm really enjoying the answers I'm getting so far. Hair sheep look to be just what we're looking for, except hubby says that part of the "fun" of sheep is getting to use the wool somehow. Southdowns ARE really cute. They look like something out of a Jane Austen movie. It's fun to put all your answers into the mix of stuff we're considering.
Amy

 

[mucklingmom]

Hi Amy, what part of Washington are you in? If it's Western, you have to consider the WET that we have here and how it affects sheep.

Yep, I'm in the Seattle area, too. Thanks for your suggestions. Anyone else with sheep that DON'T do well with wet?
We are planning to change the fencing. Thanks for the reminder . . .
Amy