22/01/2026
Reposting this. Applies across the board to all pure bred and cross bred varietal sheep in Australia. Refer also to Rare Breeds Trust of Australia repost.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D1mTfVSHt/
Long Post Warning. I saw an ad on a Facebook group yesterday for a “Registered, Southdown baby faced ram”, exact words. Maybe I’m just cynical, but it sounded very much like someone trying to cash in on the popularity of Babydolls. I could be wrong, there may well be a genuine demand for fresh-faced Southdown rams, but I don't think so and it reminded me of a post I made some time ago about what, in my opinion, actually makes a Babydoll a Babydoll.
What Makes A Babydoll A Babydoll?
What are they for?
As cute as they are, they are a dual-purpose meat and wool sheep and their breed standard reflects this. Their small stature and docile nature make them the perfect companion sheep for small acres and w**d control.
Are they miniature sheep?
No, they’re not. They are a small sheep with Southdown heritage. The term “miniature” is often used in Australia (as it is overseas) simply because of their smaller stature. Sheep are often referred to as miniature when they are between 48cm and 61 cm at the shoulder.
Despite their small size, Babydolls are well built and strong. While they are well known for their gentle nature, a ram is still a ram and can cause considerable damage.
Is it a new breed?
Yes, and no. But technically, yes. Babydolls are reminiscent of the earlier, smaller Southdown of the 1920’s to 60’s. The Southdown was the first recognized breed of British Sheep to be introduced into Australia in the 1700s, and there is over 120 years of breed history recorded in the Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association Flock books.
While the modern Southdown has been bred up to keep pace with the meat and wool market, a dedicated group of breeders maintained the smaller, stockier sheep of days past. Over time, the differences became so significant that the two types were no longer comparable .
As a result, Babydolls were given their own breed listing and a new name in the Babydoll registries.
While their heritage is Southdown, they are now considered a separate breed, and animals cannot be transferred between Southdown and Babydoll registries.
What’s an appendix breeding program?
Because Australia has strict restrictions on importing new bloodlines, registries allow appendix breeding programs. These programs enable Babydolls to be “bred up” to purebred status, introducing new genetics to strengthen existing bloodlines.
A sheep needs at least 93.75% Southdown genetics to be considered for purebred Babydoll status and must also pass inspection and display the required Babydoll traits to be awarded purebred status.
I have a small Southdown; doesn’t that make it a Babydoll?
No, it doesn’t. Babydolls and Southdowns are now recognised as separate breeds. Crossing the two requires the progeny to enter an appendix breeding-up program, and the sire must be a purebred, registered Babydoll.
Grading-up is NOT the same as crossing two breeds to create a new breed.
Babydoll and Southdown breed standards now differ significantly. Southdowns must have no wool on their face around the eye, wool cover on ears is undesirable, legs should have no wool cover below the knee or hock and there is no height restriction. Quite different from our small, woolly-legged, smiling, woolly-faced Babydolls.
But it looks like a Babydoll—doesn’t that count?
No, it doesn’t.
If it’s crossbred, it’s crossbred. Like any crossbred animal, it may not breed true, and progeny may resemble neither parent. The grading-up process takes many years, often eight to ten years or more, and requires the consistent use of purebred, registered animals.
So if it’s not a Babydoll, it’s not a Babydoll.
Registered breeders are easy to find, and supporting them helps ensure this special breed of little, woolly legends, so closely tied to our sheep-breeding history, continues to grow and prosper. Babydolls are a delight to have around and deserve the very best we can offer them through careful, selective breeding.
Why are breed registries necessary?
Breed registries exist to protect the breed.
They record lineage, maintain breed standards, prevent misrepresentation, and ensure animals are honestly described. Without registries, any sheep could be called anything, standards disappear, and breeds lose their identity over time.
Registries keep breeds true, traceable, and sustainable, for now and for the future and for everyones benefit.
