Istrian milk
A native Slovenian breed of sheep
"Istrian", "Primorska sheep", "Istrian pramenka", "raw wool sheep"... these are all names for the indigenous Slovenian breed, the istrian milk sheep.
The Istrian milk is an native breed of sheep in Slovenia, bred in the Karst and Istria region.
Sheep breeders also call it the Istrian sheep, the Primorska sheep and the raw wool sheep, because its wool is coarse and has dark spots - strands.
The Istrian milk is a relatively large sheep with long, strong legs. It grows up to 70 centimetres in height and reaches its full size at the age of three to four years. The weight of an Istrian sheep ranges from 60 to 75 kg, with males reaching up to 95 kg.
In general, Istrian milk have little wool, and are even naked on their stomachs and legs. The Istrian milk has a narrow head with protruding ears. Male sheep have well-developed horns. They have one lamb a year - in spring.
The Istrian milk is characterised by black spots and blotches all over its body. Some have many black strands on a light background, while others have no dark spots at all.
Photography: Vida Rezar
Istrian milk is mainly farmed for its milk, which is used to make various types of cheese, whey, cottage cheese and yoghurt.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Slovenia has four native breeds of sheep. These are the Istrian milk, the Jezersko-Solčava sheep, the Belokranjska pramenka and the Bovec sheep. The Bovec sheep is also one of the symbols of the Triglav National Park.