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Targhee

Targhee

The Targhee is an American breed of domestic sheep. It was developed in the early twentieth century at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station of the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture at Dubois, Idaho, and is named after the Targhee National Forest which surrounds it. It is a dual-purpose breed, with heavy, medium-quality wool and good meat production characteristics. It is hardy and well-suited to the ranges of the West where it was developed. It is kept mainly in Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota, and is reared primarily for wool.

Life Span 10-12 years
Weight 45-160 kg

What to Know Before Buying a Targhee

Finding a responsible Targhee 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 Targhee. 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 Targhees 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 Targhee breeder?

Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.

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