Cotswolds are a large breed, noted for their long, coarse fleece of naturally wavy curls and the tuft of wool on their foreheads. The earliest record of Cotswolds in the United States is 1832. The Cotswold is classified as a “rare” breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.

Merinos are primarily grown for wool production, although improved carcass quality gives this breed a dual purpose. They are large framed and relatively plain bodied, producing a heavy fleece which is soft handling with a fiber diameter of 20-22 microns.