Country of origin | Italy |
---|---|
Traits | |
Weight |
|
Wool color | off-white |
Face color | white |
Notes | |
dual-purpose, meat and wool | |
|
The Varesina is a rare
breed of domestic
sheep from the
province of Varese in
Lombardy, in northern Italy.
[1]
[2] It originates from the area of
Biandronno and
Travedona; members of the breed have been identified in the
comuni of
Albizzate and
Arcisate. The Varesina is closely related to the
Bergamasca and the
Biellese, but is smaller.
[2] It is one of the forty-two autochthonous local sheep breeds of limited distribution for which a herdbook is kept by the
Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep-breeders.
[3]
In 1983 there were about 1000 Varesina sheep, of which 800 were registered. Recent estimates place total numbers at about 60. [2] In 2013 no total number for the breed was recorded in the herdbook. [4] The breed is at serious risk of extinction and is protected. [3]