The diverse ecological and economic conditions in Bulgaria and the various needs and interests of the local people in our country, allowed raising a large number of sheep breeds. Both breeds Rilo-Monastery sheep and Svishtov sheep, described in the past, are considered extinct nowadays. The destiny of Bukyovo sheep, Panagyurishte sheep, Kotlen sheep, Strandzha sheep and Central Balkan sheep is unclear. For the remaining local breeds, a number of breeding organizations have been established. Nevertheless, the survival of some breeds is still questionable. Stara Zagora sheep is on the edge of extinction. In 2011, only 680 sheep of that breed have been under control in the breeding organization. Only 30 years ago the number of the breed representatives exceeded 145000, while 50 years ago they were over a million. Similar is the situation with White Maritza sheep, the number of the animals under control being reduced in the last 3 years by 30 %. In 2011, only 773 sheep and 25 rams in 10 flocks were under control. The following breeds are also endangered with extinction: Teteven sheep – 694 animals were under breeding control in 2011; Breznik sheep (812 animals) and Local Karnobat sheep (225 animals). Comparatively stable are the populations of Daben sheep (5302 animals under breeding control in 2011), Karakachan sheep (3529), Cooper-Red Shumen sheep (4138), Patch-faced Maritza Sheep (1665), Central Rhodope sheep (3356), Replyan sheep (1554), Sofia (Elinpelin) Sheep (1380), West Balkan Mountains sheep (1076), Koprivshtitsa sheep (1039) and Sakar Sheep (1450 animals).
The sheep of the local breeds are of relatively low productivity. They are extremely valuable as a unique unrepeatable genetic resource that must be preserved.
Most of these breeds are not an object of breeding activities. Selection work is only aimed at the conservation of the genetic resources, typifying of the breed characteristics and increasing the number of the animals beyond the risk of extinction limit.
In general, the breeds raised in Bulgaria in the past, were not characterized by good wool performance and high quality of wool. Probably, Karnobat Sheep is the only exception. In the middle of the past century the priorities of the breeding activities in Bulgaria were directed towards wool-producing sheep breeds.
By crossing the local sheep with one of the world’s best wool-producing sheep breeds (Merinoflaish, Stavropol, Caucasian, Askanian, Australian Merino, NewZealand Corriedale, Lincoln, Romney-Mars, etc.), four fine-wool breeds have been created – North-West-Bulgaian, Thracian, Karnobat, Danube Fine Fleece sheep, and, 4 semi-fine-wool breeds – Balkan sheep breed, Rhodope Tsigai, North-Bulgarian and South-Bulgarian Corriedale.
Now, from the distance of time, it is difficult to judge why in the past it was decided to orientate Bulgarian sheep breeding to wool production. A possible explanation for that could be found in the flourishing development of the textile industry at that time. However, the artificial fibers and the fabrics made from them have already become known at the beginning of the century.
The available statistical data indicate that even in the 70s of 20th century wool production in North America decreased by almost 40% in comparison with 1960s. In South America and Europe it actually remained at the same level. A decade later the world’s total production of wool decreased by 6 % compared to the previous one. Africa and Oceania also showed a tendency to a decrease of wool production like in the American continents. These indications remained unnoticed in Bulgaria and we continued to work towards the assimilation of the local breeds and the development of wool-producing sheep breeding. A rapid drop down of wool production was registered at the beginning of the present century. The decrease in the world production was about 12% in comparison with 1961, while the decrease in Bulgaria was estimated to 70%. What is more, in the last decade the world production decreased by 10 more percent.
At present, sheep breeding activities are realized in 13 breeding organizations with 179128 sheep in total. The dairy sheep have the biggest share, representing 67.3%. The autochthonous sheep are about 25.8%. The wool-producing sheep have been reduced to 5988, represented mainly by the North East Bulgarian Merino sheep breed, while all the other fine fleece breeds are represented by only one flock each. Compared to 2009, the number of the sheep under breeding control increased from 134852 to 179128, i.e. by 32.8%.
The activitis in goat breeding are carried out in two breeding oganizations, covering 4777 goats, 84.9% of them being dairy and 15.1% autochthonous. The number of goats under breeding control has been maintained the same since 2009.

1.1.1.1. White Maritza sheep

Figure 26 White Maritza sheep

Table 2 86 General information

Table 2 87 Breeding status

Table 2 88 Genetic Bank of the Executive Agency on Selection and Reproduction in Animal Breeding

• Breed description
Exterior characteristics
The elongated body shape, the long limbs and tail are the distinguishing features of White Maritza sheep breed. The head is usually short to mediumlong and narrow with a straight profile line. The ears are medium-sized, projecting and slightly bent down. The neck is long and narrow. The back is long, narrow to medium-broad. The chest is deep, medium-broad. The legs are long with a strong bone system. The animals are well-covered with wool. The belly of some sheep is slightly covered with wool, while in others it is bare. The wool around the head is not sheared throughout the years and it forms the so called “hood”, which has a decorative function. The wool around the hock and the carpal joints is also not sheared.

Table 2 89 Description

Table 2 90 Colour

Table 2 91 Basic exterior measurements

Table 2 92 Milk Productivity

Table 2 93 Wool performance

Table 2 94 Meat performance

Table 2 95 Reproduction and use

1.1.1.1. Patch-faced Maritza sheep

Figure 27 Patch-faced Maritza sheep

Table 2 96 General information

Table 2 97 Breeding status

Table 2 98 Genetic Bank of the Executive Agency on Selection and Reproduction in Animal Breeding

• Breed description
Exterior characteristics
The elongated body shape, long limbs and tail are the specific characteristics of the breed. The head is long, narrow, not covered with wool. The head profile of the sheep is usually straight, while rams have a slightly projecting profile. The ears are medium-sized and floppy. The neck is long and narrow. The withers are medium-long and medium-high. The back is long and narrow. The legs are long and not covered with wool. The belly is also unfleeced. The face pigmentation, the shape and the size of the ears and some specific features of the body construction are of prime importance for the selection of male and female lambs for reproduction.

Figure 28 Patch-faced Maritza sheep

Figure 29 Patch-faced Maritza sheep
Table 2 99 Description

Table 2 100 Colour

Table 2 101 Basic exterior measurements

Table 2 102 Milk Productivity

Table 2 103 Wool performance

Table 2 104 Meat performance

Table 2 105 Reproduction and use

1.1.1.1. Karakachan sheep

Figure 30 Karakachan sheep

Table 2 106 General information

Table 2 107 Breeding status

Table 2 108 Genetic Bank of the Executive Agency on Selection and Reproduction in Animal Breeding

• Breed description
Exterior characteristics

The animals are small, of a compact body construction, a vivid temperament, energetic and mobile. They can endure long-distance marches

Figure 31 Karakachan sheep

Table 2 109 Description

Table 2 110 Colour

Table 2 111 Basic exterior measurements

Table 2 112 Milk Productivity

Table 2 113 Wool performance

Table 2 114 Meat performance

Table 2 115 Reproduction and use

1.1.1.1. Central rhodope sheep

Figure 32 Central rhodope sheep

Table 2 116 General information

Table 2 117 Breeding status

Table 2 118 Genetic Bank of the Executive Agency on Selection and Reproduction in Animal Breeding

• Breed description
Exterior characteristics
The animals are small, low, of a well-outlined chest. The chest depth is 27 cm, the width – 19 cm. The head is medium in size, with a slightly projecting profile line. The ears are medium-sized and horizontally set. The legs are thin and strong. The hooves are very firm.
Other specific characteristics
The sheep are not affected by hoof diseases and damages of the limbs despite the mountainous route on steep and rocky terrains in the Rhodopes.

Figure 33 Central rhodope sheep

Table 2 119 Description

Table 2 120 Colour

Table 2 121 Basic exterior measurements

Table 2 122 Milk Productivity

Table 2 123 Wool performance

Table 2 124 Reproduction and use

1.1.1.1. Sakar sheep

Figure 34 Sakar sheep

Table 2 125 General information

Table 2 126 Breeding status

Table 2 127 Genetic Bank of the Executive Agency on Selection and Reproduction in Animal Breeding

• Breed description
Exterior characteristics
The sheep are comparatively small. The head of the sheep is medium in size, with a straight profile line. The ears are medium-long, horizontally set. The leg bones and the hooves are strong and hardy in the rocky terrains of Sakar Mountain.

Figure 35 Sakar sheep

Table 2 128 Description

Table 2 129 Colour

Table 2 130 Basic exterior measurements

Table 2 131 Milk Productivity

Table 2 132 Wool performance

Table 2 133 Reproduction and use

1.1.1.1. Stara zagora sheep

Figure 36 Stara zagora sheep

Table 2 134 General information

Table 2 135 Breeding status

Table 2 136 Genetic Bank of the Executive Agency on Selection and Reproduction in Animal Breeding

• Breed description
Exterior characteristics
Large, quite high, with elongated shapes: head – elegant and elongated, with a projecting fascial profile, free of wool; ears – long and floppy, neck – long, often free of wool; chest – comparatively narrow and shallow; legs – long, slim and strong, with firm hooves, free of wool.

Table 2 137 Description

Table 2 138 Colour

Table 2 139 Basic exterior measurements

Table 2 140 Milk Productivity

Table 2 141 Wool performance

Table 2 142 Reproduction and use

1.1.1.1. Chios

Figure 37 Chios

Table 2 143 General information

Table 2 144 Breeding status

Table 2 145 Genetic Bank of the Executive Agency on Selection and Reproduction in Animal Breeding

• Breed description
Exterior characteristics
The head is of a slightly projecting profile. The ears are medium-large and slightly floppy. The body has elongated proportions, a typical milk type sheep.
The bones are thin and tough. The belly either clear of wool or poorly woolcovered. The udder is usually black coloured and well-developed. The size of the teats is convenient for machine milking. Some pigmented spots on the body are possible (at birth), which disappear later.
Other characteristics
The lambs are sold at an early age while light in weight, as they are not suitable for fattening to higher body weight, because their muscles remain poorly developed.

Figure 38 Chios
Table 2 146 Description

Table 2 147 Colour

Table 2 148 Basic exterior measurements

Table 2 149 Milk Productivity

Table 2 150 Wool performance

Table 2 151 Reproduction and use

1.1.1.1. Tsigai

Figure 39 Tsigai

Table 2 152 General information

Table 2 153 Breeding status

Name of the breeding organization 1. Association for Breeding Tsigai and Local Sheep Breeds in the Republic of Bulgaria

Table 2 154 Genetic Bank of the Executive Agency on Selection and Reproduction in Animal Breeding

• Breed description
Exterior characteristics
The body is compact. The head is wedge-shaped, of a straight profile line, covered with short hairs. The ears are erect, medium-sized. The legs are medium-long, covered with wool to the carpal and hock joints.
Table 2 155 Description

Table 2 156 Colour

Table 2 157 Basic exterior measurements

Table 2 158 Milk Productivity

Table 2 159 Wool performance

Table 2 160 Reproduction and use