Review of White Dorper Sheep by Lorna Wall

The picture is now representative of the White Dorper as seen in Canada/USA. These sheep are a great meat producer with rumps that rival the Texal. In tests on farm we tested the Texal against the Dorper and the Dorper provides all the positives of a meat breed without the wool negatives, never have lanolin so no mutton taste in meat, ever. They have high cut weights compared to standing weights. They are good as Pure Breds and easily increase the butcher-value of the slightly hardier Katahdins. The only downside we have seen, lambing in February in Northern Manitoba is that with sever wind chills they freeze ear tips (does not hurt carcas or development) due to paper fine ears. They shed their hair well and do not tend to have as much cover on their backs as the Black Dorpers. They are not as tolerant in cold-rainy weather during lambing as they are in minus 20 weather with shelter from wind.
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The Dorper breed was developed for the arid regions of South
Africa but has proven that it is adaptable to many conditions throughout the world. The rams are known to be early maturing and can breed as early as 100 days. Some lambs developed in the 1930's in South Africa were from the Dorset Horn & Blackhead Persian had no black markings and these formed the White Dorper breed. These in turn were crossed with the fat-tailed breed of VanRooy
genetics which were other than the lack of a black head very similar to the
Blackhead Persian.
Dorpers are known to have an extended breeding
season, so three lamb crops in two years is possible. A
good manager can organize his program so that lambs can be dropped at any time
of the year. They have high fertility and multiple births are the norm. In South Africa, under extensive conditions, Dorpers are consistently producing 150-180% lamb crop. They also fare very well in our northern Canadian climate and lamb quite well in our extream cold weather of Manitoba in February.
The ewes have great udders and are good milkers. Dorpers are known for their calm disposition. They show exceptional
adaptability, hardiness, reproductive rates and growth (being able to reach approximately 80 lbs in 4 months ), as well as good mothering abilities. The Dorper is hardy and can thrive under range conditions where other breeds can barely exist and the ewe can raise a lamb of reasonable quality under fairly severe conditions. As a strong and non-selective grazer the Dorper can
advantageously be incorporated into a well planned range management system. The Dorper reacts very favorably under intensive feeding conditions as well. They will eat leaves and bushes and clean up small trees along fence lines as well.

They are moderate framed and of good body length with a short light mixed covering of hair and wool that sheds during the spring and summer months. South Africans select the hair/wool mix in the middle of the body of the sheep. They say that the animal will shed better than either an all hair or mostly wool Dorper and having a scratching area is helpful for facilitating the shedding
process. The Dorper has a thick skin which is highly prized and protects the sheep under harsh climatic conditions. The Dorper skin is the most sought after sheepskin in the world.

Dorpers are well proportioned with excellent conformation. The best asset of the Dorper is in the hind quarters where the most expensive meat is produced. They produce superb lamb carcasses with around 90% of Dorper lambs having carcass qualities that are usually graded Choice. The meat is lean and very mild in flavor. Mature Dorper ewes can average 160-210 lbs and mature rams average from 225 lbs up.