Merinizzata Italiana is a breed of sheep from Montagna merino in the piedmont region of Italy. It’s a strong, robust sheep that was bred to survive in harsh environmental conditions. The meri izzat Italiana has a thin body and long, coarse fleece with a naturally low luster. Merinizzata italiana is commonly used for meat production to make prosciutto, soppressata and culatello (dry-cured salami).
It can also be used for wool production through manual carding, natural dyeing, and weaving. And merino sheep of northern Italy were introduced in the piedmont region during the middle of the 19th century to improve local breeds. We can assume that this breed was established thanks to these merino sheep.
The Montagna merino is a mountain breed with a white face, legs, belly, and blackhead, the neck is short and broad with erect, pointed ears. It has a deep chest with a straight backline.
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How to identify merinizzata italiana:
The meri izzat Italiana is a breed of sheep with a white face, legs, belly, and blackhead, the neck is short and broad with erect, pointed ears. Has a deep chest with a straight backline.
The face, legs, and belly are white, the head is black. The neck is short and broad with erect, pointed ears. The wool is long and coarse with a naturally low luster. It’s dark brown or black and there are both natural colored and white sheep of this breed. The meri izzat Italiana has a fine texture in spring but later turns into ordinary medium-crufty wool.
Behavioral characteristics:
The meri izzat Italiana is strongly protective and wary of strangers. If the wool is clean, soft, not coarse, it will stand confidently when being examined by the ear. It has a calm temperament and lives in groups. It’s a breed of sheep that can be prized for meat production, thanks to its strong body and exceptionally long coat with which you can obtain high-quality prosciutto, soppressata, and culatello (dry-cured salami).
The temperament of meri izzat Italiana sheep is calm and they live in groups. There are both white and natural colored sheep of the meri izzat Italiana breed. Merinizzata Italiana is considered perhaps the most ancient Italian breed, with present significant biodiversity. This small flock of autochthonous sheep made the transfer from south to north Italian peninsula during the Middle Ages, without losing its native characteristics.
Uses:
It’s a breed of sheep that can be prized for meat production, thanks to its strong body and exceptionally long coat with which you can obtain high-quality prosciutto, soppressata, and culatello (dry-cured salami). Merinizzata Italiana is also raised for wool production. In the same way, you can use meri izzat Italiana as auto-immune sheep. As a source of protein and forage for domestic animals.
Health issue:
The meri izzat Italiana is a robust, healthy, and slightly resistant sheep with a naturally low luster. The meri izzat Italiana does not suffer from any infectious disease. The best treatment for this breed is to give them their basic care and clean their wool. If you want to develop a herd of meri izzat Italiana sheep, the most recommended is meat production. The main problem of this breed is usually related to the difficulty to control the wool.
History:
The meri izzat Italiana is considered perhaps the most ancient Italian breed, with present significant biodiversity. This small flock of autochthonous sheep made the transfer from south to north Italian peninsula during the Middle Ages, without losing its native characteristics. Merinizzata Italiana is an autochthonous breed of the north-western Piedmont region, in Italy.
As pet:
The meri izzat Italiana is used as a pet sheep. The meri izzat Italiana is ideal for a small farm or homestead, as they are easy to take care of. Merinizzata Italiana is also used as a guard dog because they are protective and wary of strangers. It’s important to maintain the breed pure so that the characteristics of each breed could be preserved.
For centuries, the domestication of merino sheep has been present, in Piedmont and Lombardy regions, in all these northern Italian regions where they are found. The process of introduction of merino technology was quite complex, as it was carried out through difficult mountainous and rugged terrains. The first ones were imported from the southeast part of Italy (Tuscany Region) because they were considered pure varieties.
Special Considerations:
Merinizzata Italiana is a breed of sheep with a white face, legs, belly, and blackhead, the neck is short and broad with erect, pointed ears. The wool of meri izzat Italiana is long and coarse with a naturally low luster.
The meri izzat Italiana has a fine texture in spring but later turns into ordinary medium-Rufty wool. The meri izzat Italiana is strongly protective and wary of strangers. However, review the full breed profile of the Merinizzata Italiana in the following table.
Best 9+information:
| Breed Name | Merinizzata italiana – Italian Merino. |
| Other Name | Merino; merinizzati bianchi. |
| Country of Origin | Italy (Piedmont region). |
| Breed Purpose | Meat; wool. |
| Breed Class, size | Small & Medium. |
| Climate Tolerance | Range from 0° to 35°C. |
| Temperament | Friendly, calm, and protective. |
| Diet | Grass, hay, and pasture. |
| Rarity | Common. |
| Lifespan | Average 10 – 20 years (Up to 25 years). |
