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Characteristics, protection and preservation of Croatian autochthonous sheep breeds

In the Republic of Croatia, 500 000 sheep are bred in 14 breeds, 6 of which are autochthonous (Lika Sheep, Istrian Milk Sheep, Pag Island Sheep, Dubrovnik Ruda Sheep and Tsigai). The Croatian Livestock Centre keeps the Herdbook of Croatian Autochthonous Sheep Breeds and conducts the Program for Sheep Breeding and Selection in the Republic of Croatia, within which the recording of production characteristics of autochthonous sheep breeds is conducted. In 6 autochthonous sheep breeds, one is considered extremely endangered (Dubrovnik Ruda Sheep), and two are endangered (Istrian Milk Sheep and Tsigai). In preservation of endangered breeds, action plans of preservation have been used (in situ). The Faculty of Agriculture of the University in Zagreb and the Croatian Livestock Centre are conducting the project whose objective is the evaluation of appearance and genetic characteristics of the Croatian autochthonous sheep breeds. Significant assistance in form of financial means from the state budget is provided by the state as incentive.

Croatian autochthonous sheep breeds; preservation; production characteristics

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