Grading Up - Further Steps to Improve the Breed

Babydoll Southdown Sheep Breeders Association & registry (BSSBA) has come to see that over the years, people have stepped away from registries while still remaining interested and invested in quality Babydoll Southdown sheep. There are also a number of shepherds with amazing Babydoll Southdown sheep that they acquired without papers before realizing the importance of having a registered flock. Now there is also a small group of Babydoll Southdown sheep breeders who submitted their original paperwork of pedigree (some over a year ago) only to never see it returned as expected.

In an effort to not only recover but also improve the Babydoll Southdown sheep gene pool, BSSBA is implementing a “B Book” / Grade Up program for our registry members. This is not a quick process or an inexpensive venture. However, for those interested with quality Babydoll Southdown sheep that are stellar examples of the BSSBA Breed Standard, BSSBA wants to offer these shepherds a chance to not only be a part of our community but to also improve the Babydoll Southdown line.

BSSBA Breed Standard: http://www.babydollsheepregistry.org/breedstandard.htm
Application for DNA processing: http://www.babydollsheepregistry.org/forms.htm
Further questions: info@babydollsheepregistry.org

The process will be as follows...

• Unregistered ewe applies for Foundation Ewe status with application & full set of photos (email info@babydollsheepregistry.org for this form & information)
• The unregistered ewe must meet BSSBA Breed Standards and approval be agreed upon to be recognized and recorded as a Foundation ewe
• The unregistered ewe must meet BSSBA Breed Standards and approval be agreed upon to be recognized and recorded as a Foundation ewe
• BSSBA registered ram (must have DNA on file) + Foundation ewe (must have DNA on file) = F1 lamb
• For ewe lambs born this generation, the owner will submit Certificate of Registration of the sire, full set of current photos of Foundation dam and DNA test results for F1 ewe lamb for approval review to get Certificate of Record for F1 ewe lamb
• BSSBA registered unrelated ram (must have DNA on file) + F1 ewe with Certificate of Record (must have DNA on file) = F2 lamb
• For ewe lambs born, the owner must submit Certificate of Registration for registered sire, Certificate of Record for dam, a full set of current photos of F1 dam and DNA test results for the F2 ewe for approval review to get Certificate of Record for F2 ewe lambs
• BSSBA registered unrelated ram (must have DNA on file) + F2 ewe with Certificate of Record (must have DNA on file) = F3 lamb 
• Submit Certificate of Registration for registered sire, full set of current photos of F2 dam for approval review to get Certificate of Record for F3 lambs
• At 2 years old, F3 ewes can apply for status change from Certificate of Record to BSSBA Certificate of Registry. If approved and changed, F3 ewes bred to BSSBA registered rams will have their lambs submitted as purebred and can be registered the year of their birth. To submit for possible change over approval, the breeder must send:
• Certificate of Record
• Full set of current body (left side, right side, rump and front end), ear tag and height photos after wool is shorn
• Records of previously submitted lineage photos should be on file to review, DNA for all should be on file for review
• Ram lambs born up until F4 generation should be wethered. We encourage this by allowing shepherds with proof of wethering/castration these ram lambs the opportunity to apply for a Certificate of Record to be shown (must follow same steps as ewe for Certificate of Record)
• F4 rams can apply for Cert of Registry at 2 years old with same steps as F3 ewes.

* Submission does not mean automatic approval. Documents must be reviewed (DNA, photos, Certificate of Record, etc), must meet BSSBA standards and approval must be agreed upon *

Additional Information:

• The initial unregistered Ewe will be recorded and given a BSSBA number to ID as a Foundation Ewe
• DNA testing will be performed by UC Davis / Associated Registry will provide DNA collection instructions upon receipt of the recording application
• All lambs will be DNA tested
• If the animal does not meet the standards at any point during the entire process, they are eliminated from the program.

This is not cross-breeding - this is upgrading!

Note: Babydoll Southdown Sheep Breeder’s Association & registry is absolutely NOT registering unregistered/non-papered sheep. BSSBA is simply using “breed standard” matches to allow those without paperwork to breed up through several generations and create a future registered flock.