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Markings in Shetland Sheep

More than 30 recognised markings have been identified. The full list may be found later on this page. This small selection shows a few of the markings found in members' flocks.


Krunet

Smirslet

Yuglet

Bleset

Bleset

Bielset

Gulmoget

Katmoget ewe

Katmoget ram

Bersugget

Colours and Markings Poster

In 1996 a survey was made of members' sheep having recognised or other markings. Information was returned as sketches of the location, nature, and colour of the sheep's markings. Our poster shows 63 of the variations sent in. Some of these, e.g. gulmoget, brandet, are particularly uncommon.

Poster
The poster is A2 size (594mmx420mm) printed on heavy art paper. It is available, price £2.50 each plus £1 post & packing (in cardboard tube) from:
Tony Bennett, 48 Heatherside Road, Ramsbottom, Bury, Lancs BLO 9BX
Cheques payable to Shetland Sheep Society
A laminated version at £4 plus £1 p&p may be available.

 

The Recognised Markings

Bersugget
Having irregular patches of differing colours.
Bielset
Having a circular band of a different colour round the neck.
Bioget
With a white back and darker sides and belly, or vice-versa.
Blaeget
Having a lighter shade on the outer part of the wool fibre, especially in moorit and dark brown sheep.
Blaget
White, with irregular dark patches resembling ground partly snow covered.
Blettet
With white patches on nose and top of head.
Bleset/Sneedled
Dark coloured with a white stripe (blaze) down the forehead.
Brandet
Having stripes of another colour across the body (i.e. going over the back).
Bronget
Dark coloured with light coloured breast, or vice versa.
Gulmoget
Having light underparts with a dark coloured body, white inside the ears and under the jaw (the 'Mouflon' pattern, also seen on the Soay sheep).
Katmoget
Having a light coloured body with dark belly and legs and a moget face. The reverse of Gulmoget.
Katmollet
Having light coloured nose and jaws.
Kraiget
Having the neck a different colour from the rest of the body.
Kranset
Dark coloured with white around eyes and head.
Krunet
Dark coloured with a white patch on the top of the head.
Marlit
Various shades of different colours, mottled.
Mirkface
White with dark patches on the face.
Moget-faced
Applied to the characteristic face markings of the Katmoget pattern on sheep not otherwise displaying that pattern.
Mullit
White with dark nose and jaws - the reverse of Katmollet.
Flecket
White with large black or brown patches (not as well defined as in Jacob sheep when in full fleece).
Fronet
Black/brown spotted with white head and black/brown spots around the eyes.
Ilget
White with spots of a different colour (usually grey or black).
Iset
Black or shaela with many white fibres, giving a bluish hue from a distance.
Sholmet
Of any colour, other than white, with a white face.
Skeget
Stripes of different colours on the sides, not going over the back.
Smirslet
With white around the mouth head or neck.
Snaelit
Light coloured body with snow-white face.
Sokket
With legs of a different colour to the body – giving the effect of wearing socks.
Sponget
Dark coloured with small white spots.
Yuglet
Having colour around eyes different from remainder of the body.
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