Najdi sheep

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Najdi sheep in Unaizah, Saudi Arabia

The Najdi or Nejdi is a breed of domestic sheep native to the Najd region of the Arabian Peninsula. Though it is primarily raised in Saudi Arabia, Nadji sheep are also present in Kuwait, Jordan, Oman and Iraq.[1]

The Najdi has a distinctive appearance that has even been celebrated in Saudi "sheep beauty pageants" not unlike livestock shows and sales in the West.[2] They are a very tall breed, averaging 76–86 centimeters (30–34 inches) in height at the withers.[1] They have long, Roman nosed faces with drooping ears. Ewes are polled and rams may be either polled or have scurs. They are generally black with white faces and white on the legs and tail. Top Najdi ewes can sell for 20,000–30,000 Saudi riyals (US$5,300–8,000), while rams which can sire many more offspring can fetch hundreds of thousands.[2]

Najdi are highly adapted to life in desert conditions, though it is less drought tolerant than some breeds, such as the Awassi.[3] [4] Though its meat may be consumed locally, it is especially valued for its milk and long, straight wool.[4]


  1. ^ a b "Breed Data Sheet". FAO Domestic Animal Diversity system (DAD-IS). 
  2. ^ a b "Breeders hold first pageant for Saudi-bred sheep". MSNBC (Associated Press). Oct . 31, 2008.  Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Alamer, Mohammed; Adel Al-Hozab (2004). "Effect of water deprivation and season on feed intake, body weight and thermoregulation in Awassi and Najdi sheep breeds in Saudi Arabia". Journal of arid environments 59: 71–84. 
  4. ^ a b Lancaster, William; Fidelity Lancaster (1999). People, land and water in the Arab Middle East. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-90-5702-322-4. 

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