Savoiarda

The Savoiarda or razza di Cuorgné is a threatened breed of upland sheep from the province of Turin, in Piemonte, north-west Italy. The few remaining breeders are in the Val Chisone, the Val di Susa, the Valli di Lanzo and the Val Pellice.

History
The origins of the Savoiarda are not clear; it appears to be related to the Thônes et Marthod breed from the area of Savoie, in France, which lies to the west of Piemonte. Out-crossing to other breeds including the Biellese and the Frabosana have reduced the productivity of the Savoiarda, caused a loss of morphological characteristics, and contributed to its decline. It is also threatened by the industrialisation of the lower Val di Susa. It is one of the forty-two autochthonous local sheep breeds of limited distribution for which a herdbook is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep-breeders.

In 2013 the total number for the breed was 120.

Characteristics
The Savoiarda is of medium size. Weight is variable, but averages for rams and  for ewes. Rams usually stand at the withers, and ewes about. The head is rather large, with a convex profile. Rams are usually horned, with robust spiral horns; in ewes the horns are small or absent. The ears are narrow and slightly drooping. The face is white with black "spectacles" round the eyes; the muzzle is black, sometimes with white patches, and the legs are white with some black spotting. The coat is off-white.

Use
The Savoiarda was traditionally a triple-purpose breed, raised for meat, milk and wool. It is now reared mainly for meat. Lambs are slaughtered at a weight of.

Ewes give of milk per lactation, most of which goes to the lambs. Rams yield about of wool per year, and ewes about  The wool is coarse, suitable for making mattresses, with a staple length of  about 125 –.