Damara
The Damara is a Namibian breed of fat-tailed hair sheep, also found in South Africa. The name derives from that of the Damara region of northern Namibia where it is principally found, particularly in the Kaokoveld Desert. Together with the Namaqua Afrikaner and the Ronderib Afrikaner, it is one of three breeds in the Afrikaner group of sheep that were already in southern Africa before the arrival of colonists, and which forms part of the broader African Long-fat-tailed sheep grouping. It may be solid black, brown or white, or black-and-white pied.
| Life Span | 10-12 years |
| Weight | 45-160 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Damara
Finding a responsible Damara breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells sheeps commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Damara. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Damaras appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Damara breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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