Black Welsh Mountain sheep are a small, black, dual-purpose breed. They orginated in the mountains of Wales during the mid-19th centurary. BWM were highly prized by merchants for their unigue black fleece and mild tasting meat. BWM reach about 24" at the shoulder when full grown and weigh just over 100lbs. The rams have two very powerful, nearly double curled horns. Ewes are always polled. They are entirely black, but, the intereting thing is their fleece doesn't fade to grey over the years, as all other breeds do. But, they do develop suntipped ends called "Cochddu" if left in the sun without a blanket. Their tails are left undocked as it is a breed characteristic, but have an uncanny resistance to fly strike.

BWM are VERY self-reliant, they require little maintenance and are perfect for someone who would like very easy keeping sheep. They have an incredible resistance to foot infections or unsoundness of any kind. Few, if any breeds are more free of troubles at lambing time. Ewes are very dedicated mothers, deep milkers, and have little to none lambing problems. Lambs are energetic, on their feet and suckling within minutes. BWM usually produce a 175% lambing percentage with selected flocks well over 200%.

The first and only importation of the breed was in 1973 of 3 rams and 13 ewes by Mr.Thomas Wyman. One ram died in quarantine so only two rams were left to establish the population in the U.S. In order to add genetic diversity semen has been imported over the years from the UK. The worldwide population of the BWM is approximatly 8000. As of 2003 the American Black Welsh Mountain Sheep Association had registered over 5000 purebred sheep born in the U.S.

In 2003, Rivendale Farm was established with a ram lamb and two ewe lambs from Mr. Tom Wyman. Each ewe had a baby ewe lamb in the spring of 2004. This spring our girls had even more baby ewe lambs!! So far, we haven't had a baby ram lamb at all! One of our BWM families were exhibited in the breeds display at Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival 2004 and 2005.