Merino

The Merino is an economically influential breed of sheep prized for its wool. The breed origins are not known but are probably in North Africa, from where it was introduced to Spain although there were reports of the breed in the Iberian peninsula before the arrival of the Marinids; perhaps these came from the Merinos or tax collectors of the Kingdom of León. Its wool was already very highly valued in the Middle Ages. Today, Merinos are still regarded as having some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep. Poll Merinos have no horns (or very small stubs, known as scurs), and horned Merino rams have long, spiral horns which grow close to the head.