Lonk facts for kids

The Lonk is a special type of domestic sheep. It lives in the hilly areas of central and southern Pennines in northern England. The name "Lonk" comes from an old word in Lancashire. It means "lanky," which describes something long and thin.

You can find Lonk sheep in three English counties: Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Derbyshire. Sometimes, people also call them the Improved Haslingden. Lonks are a type of "Blackfaced Mountain" sheep. They look a lot like the Derbyshire Gritstone sheep, but Lonks have horns, and Derbyshire Gritstones do not.

About Lonk Sheep

Lonk sheep have faces that are black and white. They also have long legs. These long legs help them move easily in the rocky hills and wet peat bogs of the Pennines. Lonk sheep are very tough and can live in harsh weather. This means they are "hardy."

What Lonk Sheep are Used For

Farmers raise Lonk sheep for two main things: their wool and their meat. Their wool is strong and often used to make carpets. The meat from Lonk sheep is also a valuable product.

Protecting the Breed

The Lonk Sheep Breeders' Association works to protect and promote this breed. This group is located in Burnley, Lancashire. In 2001, there was a serious animal sickness called foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain. Many people worried that the Lonk sheep breed might disappear forever. Luckily, the breed survived, and Lonk sheep are still around today.

Images for kids

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  Lonk Ram, photograph by Frank Babbage from the Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1911