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Most sheep at the sheep shows are accustomed to people, some are friendly, and some are downright affectionate.
Over the years we have come to appreciate the sheer beauty of sheep. Sheep have been maligned by cattle owners who have
created a climate in which people are conditioned to think sheep are dumb and hard on the grasslands they graze. The truth
is (and I have done years of research on sheep) that sheep are not as hard on the grasslands as cows are. And they are not
dumb. They have been bred for specific characteristics, which often makes them seem dumb to us. But sheep are capable of intelligence.
And they can be far more beautiful than most people realize. The sheep in the picture above are the Icelandic breed.
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People who show sheep are some of the nicest people in the world. They are always willing to talk to us about sheep.
Dedicated sheep people bring all
kinds of beautiful sheep to show at sheep shows. The beautiful sheep above is a Karakul, a fat tailed sheep.
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Sheep shearing, both hand shearing and machine shearing, are demonstrated at most sheep shows. In this picture the shearer
is giving Josie a hands-on lesson in use of the electric clipper. Shearing not only produces wool, a very useful fiber, but
it is necessary for the health of the sheep. Shearing, properly done, does not stress the sheep or harm the sheep physically
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