The Dorper Sheep is a breed first developed in South Africa in the 1930’s by crossing a Male Dorset Horn (Ram) and a Female Blackhead Persian for the purpose of creating hybrid sheep with high resistance to various extreme weather conditions, can grow and breed in arid regions, capable of shedding its fur and is characterised as a good meat producing sheep.

The Blackhead Persian sheep originated from East Africa, mostly in Somalia, and is now widely found in South Africa and is often called Swartkoppersie. The Blackhead Persian sheep is a non-horned (polled) sheep breed for both sexes. Dorset sheep is among the earliest British sheep breed known and is specifically bred for wool and meat.

The combination of features of the Blackhead Persian which are capable of living in extreme conditions, able to shed fur, hardiness, not choosy over food (grazing on various plants) high fertility and maternal instincts, and the characteristics of the Dorset with good body length and muscle conformation, fast growth rate and good carcass quality has produced the DORPER cross-breed, which was then registered as a breed in South Africa.

The male Dorper (Ram) can achieve a body weight of 90-120kg, while the female Dorper (Ewe) can reach adult weight of 50-80kg. Dorper sheep is a very fertile breed and can potentially give birth every eight months (lambing interval) or three times within two years with the percentage of births (lambing percentage) over 150% (2.25  lambs / year). The rate for twin births or triplets is common. With good maternal instincts as well as high milk quantity, the lambs will be nurtured well. Dorper lambs can reach 36kg in weight within 3-4 months (weaning age) to produce a carcass of 16 kg. In the daily weight gain  intensive care system (Average Daily Weight Gain-ADWG), as much as 150gm to more than 200gm of meat is usually obtained compared to sheep that has been reared in an extensive manner (ADWG 81-91gm).

Overall, Dorper sheep are easy to rear with low maintenance costs, not choosy over food, easy to breed, suitable for all weather conditions, the skin has high market value and there is no need for shearing. Moreover, Dorper Sheep has great potential to meet the needs of the local market for Qurban, Aqiqah and meat.