Vendéen
The Vendéen is a breed of domestic sheep originating near Vendée in western France. It was developed by crossing local ewes with Southdown rams in the early 19th century. It is primarily a meat breed known for its muscularity and ability to produce large litters of lambs. They have a fine, medium-length wool. Both Vendéen ewes and rams are usually polled, but occasionally rams can have small horns. Their faces and legs have dark brown or gray hair. The breed is commonly used among farmers as a terminal sire for producing lambs for meat.
| Life Span | 10-12 years |
| Weight | 45-160 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Vendéen
Finding a responsible Vendéen 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 Vendéen. 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 Vendéens 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 Vendéen breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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