The Serra da Estrela Sheep

The morphological pattern of the Serra da Estrela breed of sheep is defined by two varieties, one white and one black. Individuals of both sexes bear horns, curled up in a spiral. The breed has large, expressive eyes, medium height, a well-developed skeleton, average muscle build and a period of sexual activity that extends throughout the year. The average live weight of adult females is approximately 50 to 60kg, while male weigh 80 to 100kg.

The Serra da Estrela Sheep, considered to be the Portuguese breed most suited for dairy farming, is farmed mainly for milk production, though meat and wool production are also significant.

The Serra da Estrela Sheep breed is based in the territories corresponding to the Mondego River basin, covering the municipalities of Arganil, Celorico da Beira, Carregal do Sal, Fornos de Algodres, Gouveia, Guarda, Manteigas, Mangualde, Nelas, Oliveira do Hospital, Penalva do Castelo, Seia, Tábua, Tondela and Viseu. This region’s deep-rooted culture is not limited to its animal genetic heritage. It involves a very specific lifestyle that includes occupations such as shepherding, cheesemaking, breeding and farming in a general sense, as well as the popular festivals linked to sheep production, so well known in these parts, and the production of high-quality food that centuries-old tradition has moulded into artisanal but precise technologies.