Coolibah Persian Sheep Stud

Welcome to the wonderful world of Persian sheep. Persians are an ancient, unique breed that developed in sub Saharan Africa over centuries and probably millennia. They come in an amazing array of colors and patterns and are inherently placid. Although still a rare breed, with probably less than 2000 purebred animals in the whole country, Australia is home to the largest number of Persians outside Africa. This came about through some Australian breeders taking advantage of a small window of opportunity to import the breed into Australia between 1999 and 2006. Prior to the mid 1990’s South Africa would not allow the export of Persian sheep, regarding them as a national treasure, while in 2006 the Australian government essentially closed the border to the import of sheep from Africa. During this brief period three batches of frozen embryos were imported into Australia, one in 1999 and two in 2006. It is from these embryos that all Australian Persian sheep are descended.

Coolibah Persian Sheep Stud is located at Pearcedale on Victoria’s beautiful Mornington Peninsula about an hour’s drive from Melbourne. It is operated by Dr Colin Walker and Dr Meredith Dobbie (Walker). Colin is president of the Australian Persian Sheep Association (www.australianpersiansheepassociation.com). With its 600 Persians, Coolibah Stud is not only the largest Persian stud in Australia but the world outside Africa. Persians are one of the smaller breeds with the rams weighing 50 to 65kg (about half the size of a Merino). They are what is called a cleanskin or shedding breed. Persian sheep do not have wool but rather hair much like a beagle. No wool means that there is no shearing, no crutching or mulesing, no tail docking and no fly or seed worry. Coolibah Persian Sheep are shipped to their new owners around the country and more recently, due to Australia’s disease free status, are becoming increasingly sought after internationally. Coolibah Stud is Brucellosis accredited free and all sheep are dispatched recently wormed and fully vaccinated (against Johnes, 5 in 1 and FootRot). They all have an NLIS approved electronic Coolibah Persian tag in their right ear. Coolibah Persians can also be registered with either the Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association (ASSBA) or the Australian All Breeds Miniature Goats and Sheep Society (AABMGS).

So, if you are thinking about getting some Persians, simply have some questions or would like to visit us and see some Persians, please feel free to contact us. Our number is 0412481239 and our email is info@persiansheep.com. We usually have selected sheep available but if not will be happy to direct you to your nearest accredited breeder.

Most people that decide to get some of these beautiful sheep are after some, placid , comparatively low maintenance  family companions that help out around the house by mowing the lawn and eating the weeds. For those interested in showing or stud breeding you will need to register your sheep. The Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association ( ASSBA)  is a stud registry and manages the Stud Flock Book for Persian sheep. ASSBA is an authority that has been responsible for the registration of stud flocks of sheep in Australia for over 100 years . It currently manages the Flock Books of 23 sheep breeds in Australia including Persians. Sheep registered with ASSBA must be of an acceptable standard and the stud must be accredited Brucellosis free. ASSBA currently ( Jan 2025 ) lists 16 accredited stud breeders of Persians in Australia on their site. If you wish to transfer or register sheep from Coolibah Stud with ASSBA we can supply the necessary papers. AABMGS was established in 2015 and is not a stud registry . The organization is primarily a group of miniature goat breeders but does maintain a list of people that have indicated that they breed Persian sheep. They currently list 6 Persian breeders in Australia by state and do not operate an accreditation scheme.  To join AABMGS there is an online form to fill in.