Teeswater
The Teeswater is a breed of sheep from Teesdale, England. It is a longwool breed that produces a generally large-diameter fibre. However, the animals are raised primarily for meat. Teeswater sheep have been bred in northern England for about two hundred years; the breed was rare by the 1920s, but has seen a renaissance since World War II. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust has categorised the breed as "at risk". The Teeswater Sheep Breeders' Association was formed in 1949 with the aim to encourage and improve the breeding of Teeswater sheep; to maintain their purity and particularly to establish the supremacy of Teeswater rams for crossing with hill sheep of other breeds for the production of half-bred lambs.
| Life Span | 10-12 years |
| Weight | 45-160 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Teeswater
Finding a responsible Teeswater 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 Teeswater. 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 Teeswaters 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 Teeswater breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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