The aim of this study was to present and compare the Slovenian and Austrian Alpine sheep breeds. In Slovenia, there isthe Bovec sheep for milk production and the Jezersko Solčava sheep for meat production. In Austria, there are seven Alpine breeds, namely the Krainer Steinschaf for milk production and six breeds for meat production: the Kärntner Brillenschaf, the Braunes Bergschaf, the Tiroler Bergschaf, the Tiroler Steinschaf, the Montafoner Steinschaf and the Alpines Steinschaf. What all these breeds have in common is good resistance and adaptability to harsh mountain conditions and good conversion of even low-quality feed. They also have good fertility and well developed maternal traits in common. All breeds except the Bovec sheep have lambings all year round, the Bovec sheep is a seasonal breed. The literature research helped us to identify and differentiate the breeds based on the differences in phenotype characteristics. Some breeds are very similar in type traits, as they are also genetically related. Such breeds are the Jezersko-Solčava sheep and the Kärntner Brillenschaf. Both breeds are characterised by a very similar coat colour, with the exception that more different colours are allowed in the Jezersko-Solčava sheep. The Bovec sheep and the Krainer Steinschaf are also related breeds, which are similar in type traits. The Tiroler Bergschaf and the Braunes Bergschaf are also related, but the most obvious difference is the colour. In the Tiroler Bergschaf, only the colour white is allowed, in the Braunes Bergschaf it is brown. The Tiroler Steinschaf, the Montafoner Steinschaf and the Alpines Steinschaf belong to the group of Steinschafe, which are mainly characterised by their grey coat colour, where horned animals are also permitted or preferred.
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