Everything you need to know before adding a Valais Blacknose to your farm or family.

The Valais Blacknose is a breed originating from the Valais region of Switzerland, known for its distinctive black face, black knees, and spiral horns. They are considered one of the most beautiful and recognizable sheep breeds in the world. In addition to their striking appearance, Valais Blacknose are known for their exceptionally gentle, friendly temperament — making them outstanding pets, show animals, and breeding stock.

Yes — the Valais Blacknose is widely regarded as one of the most personable sheep breeds in existence. They are calm, curious, and people-oriented by nature. Many owners describe them as dog-like in their affection and interaction with humans. They are a joy to be around and tend to seek out human company rather than avoid it.

Valais Blacknose sheep thrive on pasture and hay — similar to other sheep breeds. We supplement with grain during the growing phase and for breeding and reproduction. If your property has limited pasture, hay supplementation will be necessary to meet their nutritional needs. As veterinarians, we are happy to advise on feeding programs based on your specific situation.

Valais Blacknose can be kept on a fairly small property, but the amount of pasture available will determine how much hay supplementation is needed. The less pasture available, the more hay you will need to provide. A small hobby farm, large backyard, or rural lot can work well with proper management. We are happy to talk through your specific property and help you determine what setup would work best.

Yes — sheep are highly social animals and should never be kept alone. We recommend a minimum of two to three animals. A solitary sheep will be stressed and unhappy regardless of how much human attention it receives. If you are starting with Valais Blacknose sheep for the first time, plan for at least two animals from the start.

Purebred Valais Blacknose sheep have fully verified purebred genetics on both sides. Percentage animals, also called breed-up animals, are the result of crossing a Valais Blacknose with another breed and breeding back toward purebred over multiple generations — from F1 (first generation) through F5 (considered purebred equivalent). Honey Glass Farm focuses exclusively on purebred animals, ensuring our lambs represent the breed at its highest standard.

Yes — all of our lambs are registered with the Valais Blacknose Sheep Society (VBSS), the largest Valais Blacknose registry in the United States. Registration provides documented proof of genetics and bloodlines, which is important for show animals and breeding programs alike.

All of our lambs are vaccinated and come with a health certificate prior to sale. As veterinarians, Morgan and Jennifer bring a level of health oversight to their flock that goes beyond what most breeders can offer. We are transparent about the health of our animals and are happy to answer any questions about their care and history.

Contact us to be added to our waitlist. Once lambs are on the ground in March we will reach out to waitlist buyers with available animals, photos, and details. A deposit is required to hold a lamb. We will work with you to determine the best fit based on your goals — whether you are looking for a pet, a show animal, or breeding stock.

Pickup at our farm in Salem, NJ is preferred. We are happy to help coordinate delivery arrangements for buyers who are unable to make the trip — please contact us to discuss options.

Valais Blacknose sheep are evaluated on a specific breed standard that originated in Switzerland, where the breed was developed for both meat and wool production. In the United States they are primarily sought for their striking appearance, exceptional temperament, and value as pets, show animals, and breeding stock.

Key characteristics to look for include the distinctive black patches on the face, ears, knees, and feet. Ewes have a black patch on the tail which rams do not. Both rams and ewes carry spiral horns, which may have black streaking. The ideal body is well-muscled and substantial, with a short neck and broad frame.

For the complete official breed standard, visit the Valais Blacknose Sheep Society at valaisblacknosesheepsociety.org/breed-standard. As a former VBSS president with formal grading training in Switzerland and Sweden, Morgan is happy to walk prospective buyers through what to look for in person.

We love hearing from people who are interested in the breed. Reach out through our contact page and we will get back to you as soon as possible.