| NORTH AMERICAN BABYDOLL SOUTHDOWN SHEEP ASSOCIATION AND REGISTRY |
| Start your day with a SMILE! Own a BABYDOLL |
| Fitting Your Sheep |
It can be beneficial to learn more about the show you plan to attend by picking up a rule book or
meeting the superintendent running the sheep show to learn the fitting rules in your area. Attend
a fair or sheep show and observe how people are fitting their sheep. It is much easier to learn by
seeing than reading�especially how to hold the hand shears and what the finished sheep should
look like. Fitted sheep and sheep running free on grass look a lot different. If someone has never
really seen fitted sheep, it is hard for them to visualize how that sheep should look when prepped
for the show ring.
Sheep intended for breeding or grown for wool, like babydolls, are typically shown in fleece..
Sheep raised for their meat and entered in the market classes are seen in fleece or slick sheared.
The idea behind slick shearing is that it makes conformation and muscling obvious while leaving
your sheep in fleece allows you to use wool to enhance these features.
When showing in fleece it is very impressive to Spot-shear, Block-out, or Cutout the wool. This
is when you shear your sheep but leave wool longer on the top-line, butt, legs and poll. Top lines
can be gradually fitted down a little at a time. The extra wool allows you to accentuate your
lamb's attributes. However, this process begins 6-8 weeks before the show. The goal is to level
the tops and hips while giving the animal eye appeal from the side profile.
One week before the show wash sheep. Although not necessary, a blocking stand really saves
your back and helps restrain your sheep (Figure 1). Hot water does a better job of breaking the
grease, and lifting the dirt. Blue Dawn dish soap has the highest alcohol content so many feel it
cuts the lanolin the best, getting the sheep the cleanest. Foamers work best for even soap
application or soap mixed with hot water. Sheep are rinsed from top to bottom, front to back. Be
sure to completely rinse out sheep or you will end up with a green-fleeced sheep. Shammies are
helpful to take the excess water out of the sheep after rinsing. A dog brush can be used to take
the knots and crimp out of the fleece. A currycomb is used to break down the fleece for easier
carding. Be sure to deep card the fleece to facilitate the drying process and to help the fit job
hold better after fitting. If a blower is used, blow at an angle as to not knot the fleece. Then card
the fleece well before blanketing and placing sheep in a clean well-bedded pen.
Two days before the show, or when sheep are dry fitting can begin. Dampen wool before fitting
with spray bottle or wrung wet rag with just water. Hold card hand flat on top using a corner-to
corner action to pull and straighten wool fiber (Figure 2). Carding is an important step to get a
smooth fit on the lamb. It is also important not to rip card. It is painful to your sheep and will
make the fleece uneven.
The goal is to make a sheep look longer bodied, longer necked, and flatter hipped. When it is
time to start trimming you can use hand shears or electric shears. Start on the left side in case
you make a mistake, as this is the side the judge tends to see less of. Work from the front to
back with smooth strokes. Try to keep your thumb still and use your fingers to pull the blade
toward you when using hand shears (Figure 3).Carding more and blending can correct mistakes.
Top line: To cut the top out on a sheep with hand shears or electric shears, start at the high point
of the loin and go out through the rump to create a level dock. Then a line is created from the
top of the withers to the loin to establish a level top line. A good top line length when finished is
1/2".
Body: make belly sides flat, take extra off shoulders and front leg to give the impression of well
laid in shoulders where many babydolls are weak. Either shear or clip wool off belly to give
impression of a long flat body. Blend belly line. Belly wool should be slick shorn to 1/2" and
sides 3/4 to 1".
Legs: card the rear legs and shape to make muscling look large and blended. Front legs trim
inside of legs to make straight, outside of ankles to make leg look straight, rear leg hair, card then
shape slightly around to look leggy and straight. Finished leg fleece should be about 3/4 to 1 in
length. Trim hooves even a week prior at washing.
Tail: cut short and makes a level cut to bottom of tail to make impression of a wide and deep
rear. A small narrow indentation line from bottom of tail (vulva in females) to bottom of twist
should be made to accentuate depth of twist and to make the fitted legs look fuller.
Head, neck and shoulders: wool blended and cheeks sheared to make muzzle blend, top of head
and ear set blend in an almost level line. Neck blends into shoulder. Brisket cut in flat on bottom
and straight down from under chin (Figure 4). To make broad and give head set look good, long
neck etc.
The sheep should be carded and trimmed with hand shears and cutout a multitude of times until
the desired look is accomplished. (Figure 5).
End product is a straight lined sheep with a similar line on the underline as the top line. Finish the
finer details with a hand shearer for smoother finish (Figure 6).To be a successful fitter one must
card the sheep a lot. The only way to a smooth finished product without having cracks in your
fleece on show day is to card. Lamb Jammies (Figure 7) really keep them clean until show time
and cost about $15.
A Note about Bio-security
Bio-security reduces and helps prevent the spread of infectious diseases to your farm. Please
take precautions so you do not bring anything back to your farm. Disinfect shoes and show
equipment, and keep show animals separated from the rest of your flock.
(Figure 1)
(Figure 2)
(Figure 3)
(Figure 4)
(Figure 5)
(Figure 6)
(Figure 7)
