Bleu du maine

Discover an unusual grassland breed that will give you a stern look and a brilliantly soft fleece…

There’s no mistaking the Bleu du Maine, with their distinctive bald, blue-grey heads and full-of-attitude stares. Don’t be fooled though! The ‘blue of Maine’ – originally from western France in the 19th century – are a friendly bunch, with one of the softest fleeces around… They first found their way to the UK between 1978 and 1982 and have since become a firm favourite of spinners – thanks to their delicate and lightweight fleece.

Compared to other breeds, these are large sheep and can also be identified by their lack of horns.The contrast of their snowy fleece against their slate-coloured heads is another clue, if you’re out sheep-spotting!