Churras. Bordaleiras. Merinas.

In Portugal (and this applies to our country only), the 16 autochthonous sheep breeds are usually divided in three groups, that are directly related to the type of wool they produce: Churras, Bordaleiras and Merinas. To know the basic characteristics of the wool from each group is a very effective way of knowing what type of wool a specific portuguese breed has to offer, in spite of the big variations that can occur due to several factors.
It's also important to know that most animals are currently not registered in the genealogical book, which means they do not officially belong to a specific breed, nevertheless, the wool they produce is most likely to belong to one of these three groups.

CHURROS

Churro type sheep can be found from north to south, but mainly in the interior of the country. 9 out of 16 breeds belong to this group, where we will find the longest, thickest, wildest and most challenging wools.
Churro type wools, besides being relatively long and thick, are not very homogeneous: their locks are tipically composed of different fibers mixed together, in different proportions depending on the breed and even the animal (if there's one thing we have in the Churro group that is variety!). The longer fibers are usually thicker, straight and dull. The short ones, usually found at the base of the lock, will be thinner, softer, even a little bit ondulated and greasy. This mix, of shorter fibers at the base and longer ones, is what makes for the typical pointy locks that are so characteristic of our churro breeds.
 This group includes the following breeds:

- Churra do Minho
- Churra Galega Mirandesa
- Churra Galega Bragançana Branca
- Churra Galega Bragançana Preta
- Churra Badana
- Churra da Terra Quente
- Churra Mondegueira
- Churra do Campo
- Churra Algarvia.

Some images of Churro type sheep:

Some examples of Churro wool locks:

Wool locks from Churra Galega Mirandesa and Churra Mondegueira;

Churra Galega Mirandesa fleece;

BORDALEIROS

The Bordaleiro type sheep can also be found all over the country, from Minho to Alentejo. Although there are big variations, within this group we'll be able to find wools that are a middle ground between the Churro and the Merino.
Their wool will be longer and thicker than that of the Merino type, with a defined, but larger crimp. And they'll be thinner and shorter that the Churro type, with more homogenous fibers, with regular length within the lock.

This group includes the following breeds:

- Bordaleira de Entre-Douro-e-Minho
- Bordaleira da Serra da Estrela (also known as “Bordaleira” or simply “Serra da Estrela")
- Saloia
- Campaniça.

Some images of Bordaleiro type sheep:

Saloia, Campaniça and Serra da Estrela, a few example of bordaleira type breeds. (Photo credits: ACRO, João Madeira and Ruralbit).

Some examples of Bordaleiro wool locks:

Wool lock from Campaniça;

Bordaleira de Entre-Douro-e-Minho fleece;

MERINOS

When we use the term Merino, we're generally not referring to a specific sheep breed, but rather to a larger group that includes several breeds with a common ancestor and that produce wool with similar characteristics. Within this group, in the whole world, there are several merino type breeds that were developed by humans to serve several specific purposes.
The Merino type sheep are known for producing a exceptionally thin, elastic and homogenous wool, with a small and very well defined crimp, with shorter fibers that the Bordaleiro type sheep. It’s important to note that the merino breeds that exist in Portugal, especially the Black Merino, are much more rustic than the ones found all over the world, so much that many times there is no crimp visible in the lock.
In Portugal, we have three Merino type breeds, located mainly in the south of the country:

- Merina Branca
- Merina Preta
- Merina da Beira Baixa

Some images of Merino type sheep:

Merina da Beira Baixa, Merina Branca and Merina Preta are the three portuguese merino breeds. (Photo credits: Carlos Andrade, Carlos Bígares and Tiago Perloiro)

Some examples of Merino wool locks:

Wool locks from the white merino breed (Merina Branca);

Black merino fleece;