The Ideal Cotswold:
This description of an "Ideal Cotswold" was written in 1891 by W. S. Harmer of Cirencester. It is still adopted today as the Association breed and show standard.
The Head should be wide between the eyes, and the eye itself, full, dark and prominent, but mild and kindly, and in no way coarse between the eyes, but not too flat, and should run of much the same width to the nostrils, which must be well expanded and somewhat broader than the face, with the skin on the nose of a dark color. The cheek is full and, as is the face, well covered with white hair; a just perceptible blue tinge on the cheek and around the eyes being rather "fancied". The ear, long, but not too heavy, of medium thickness, and covered with black spots on the points of the ears are not considered objectionable.
The top of the head should not be coarse or bald, but covered with wool, not hair, and the Cotswold is to be distinguished by a fine tuft of wool on the forehead. The head should be sufficiently long to save it from being called short and thick, but it should not have a long, lean appearance.
Grey faces still crop up occasionally in all the best hill flocks.
The Neck should be big, muscular and should be gently curved to enable the sheep to carry the head well up, thereby giving the animal a grand appearance. The neck should be slightly smaller at the ears than where it comes from the shoulders.
The Shoulder should lay well back, and the point of the shoulder should be well covered with flesh, as also the chines.
The Ribs should be deep, well sprung from the back.
The Rump should be carried out on a level with the back, giving the animal a square looking frame.
The leg of mutton well let down to the hock, and thick on the outside. The legs both front and hind, should be straight, moderate in length, well set outside the body. The pastern joints, both front and hind, should be short.
The Whole Body should have a firm, solid touch (not loose and flabby), and be covered with thick set, long, and lustrous wool.
Disqualifications:
The Association will not permit the registration of Cotswold sheep with:
- Any black fibers in the fleece or black wool.
- Any horns which are attached to the skull with a living core or prominent scurs.
- Blue, black, or brown faces.
- Any physical deformity.
Undesirable Characteristics:
The following characteristics are considered to be undesirable and should not be present in animals offered for show:
- Dropped pasterns. The sheep should stand up on its toes.
- Turned in eyelids (entropion)
- Pigeon toes
- Undergrown animals. Ram lambs should be at least 100 lbs. and ewe lambs at least 80 lbs. by September in their first year.
- Small loosely attached scurs
- Wool not typical of the Cotswold type.