Tiroler Steinschaf
The Tiroler Steinschaf or Pecora della Roccia Tirolese is a breed of domestic sheep from the mountainous Tyrol area of Austria; a few are raised in Italy. The name means "Tyrolean rock sheep". It is raised in the states of Tyrol and Salzburg in Austria and in the autonomous province of Bolzano in Italy. It dates from the early 19th century and is the oldest Tyrolean sheep breed. The Austrian herdbook was established in 1973. The registered population reported for Austria in 2012 was 2780 to 3500, and total numbers are estimated at 12,000. The Tiroler Steinschaf is one of the forty-two autochthonous local sheep breeds of limited distribution for which a herdbook is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep-breeders. In 2013 no total number for the breed was recorded in the herdbook; total numbers are about 60 head.
| Life Span | 10-12 years |
| Weight | 45-160 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Tiroler Steinschaf
Finding a responsible Tiroler Steinschaf 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 Tiroler Steinschaf. 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 Tiroler Steinschafs 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 Tiroler Steinschaf breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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