They are one of the oldest sheep breeds, having contributed to the foundation stock of all other down breeds: Suffolk, Hampshire, and Oxford. Historians are not agreed as to when the first Southdowns were imported to America, but it is known that they were introduced very early in the history of the country.
Nad on üks vanimaid lambatõugude, aitas kaasa lähtematerjali kõigi teiste alla tõud: Suffolk, Hampshire, ja Oxford. Ajaloolased ei ole kokku leppinud, et kui esimene Southdowns toodi Ameerikas, kuid on teada, et nad toodi väga varases ajaloos.