NVAP Reference Guide: Sheep and Goat Identification

Last Modified: March 20, 2024

Preface

Introduction

Control and Eradication

Poultry

Aquatic Animal

Animal Health Emergency Management

Animal Movement

Animal Identification 

Appendix

In addition to listing an animal’s age, gender, and breed, use one of the following identification methods. (See fig. 10 for a depiction of sheep dentition, table 7 for information on tooth eruption in sheep, and tables 8a and 8b for lists of goat breeds and sheep breeds.)

  • Official sheep and goat eartags 
    • Serial number tags are issued to accredited veterinarians for use in completing CVIs or test charts when the animal is not already officially identified and the owner does not have official eartags to use.
    • Call 1-866-USDA-TAG to request free official sheep and goat serial eartags. Accredited veterinarians may alternatively elect to purchase official RFID “840” sheep and goat tags for these purposes directly from an approved tag manufacturer.
    • Flock owners likewise may request free official flock ID tags by calling the same number or may purchase official flock ID or “840” sheep and goat tags from an approved tag manufacturer. Flock ID tags are imprinted with the flock ID number and an individual animal number.  
  • Legible registration tattoo when the animal is accompanied by a copy of the registration certificate in the current owner’s name, or if not in the current owner’s name a copy of the registration certificate and a completed transfer of ownership form dated within 30 days of the movement or if not in the current owner’s name a copy of the registration certificate and a completed transfer of ownership form dated within 30 days of the movement or a CVI listing the registry, the tattoo number and flock of origin owner name and address and current owner name and address if different. 
  • Electronic implantable devices (EID) when the animal is accompanied by a reader and copy of the registration certificate, that includes the EID number, that is in the current owner’s name, or if not in the current owner’s name a copy of the registration certificate and a completed transfer of ownership form dated within 30 days of the movement or a CVI listing the registry, EID number and flock of origin owner name and address and current owner name and address if different or in the case of SFCP animals moving without change of ownership or to another SFCP flock, the EID number and flock of origin owner name and address and current flock ID, owner name and address if different. 
  • Legible Flock ID tattoos composed of the Flock Identification Number assigned by APHIS and an individual animal number unique within the flock. (To get a Flock ID assigned flock owners can call 1-866-USDA-TAG) 
  • See 9 CFR parts 79.2 and 79.3 for exemptions or other options.

NOTE: Anyone who applies official identification must maintain records. For detailed information refer to the Scrapie Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules, Part III.B.2.  For additional information, call 1-866-USDA-TAG or contact your local APHIS –VS Area Offices.

Table 7 – Eruption and replacement of teeth in sheep

TeethTeeth Time of eruption1Teethtime of replacement1
Di /1Before birth—up to 8 daysI /112–18 months
Di /2Before birthI /221–24 months
Di /3Before birthI /327–36 months
Di /4Birth—up to 8 daysI /436 – 48 months
Dp 2/2Before birth—up to 4 weeksP 2/221–24 months
Dp 3/3Before birth—up to 4 weeksP 3/321–24 months
Dp 4/4Before birth—up to 4 weeksP 4/421–24 months
M 1/13 months  
M 2/29 months  
M 3/318 months  

1 The lower figures are for early-maturing breeds; the higher figures are for late-maturing breeds. Adapted from: Schummer, August; Nickel, Richard; Sack, Wolfgang Otto. 1979. The viscera of the domestic mammals, second ed. New York: Springer–Verlag.

teeth of sheet early-maturing breeds

Table 8a Sheep Breed Code
CODEDESCRIPTION,SPECIESCODEDESCRIPTION,SPECIES
ABAmerican Blackbelly Sheep,OVILILincoln,OVI
BDBabydoll Sheep,OVIMEMerino,OVI
BBBarbados Blackbelly,OVISMMiniature Southdown,OVI
BWBlack Welsh Mountain,OVIMTMontadale,OVI
BFBlack-faced,OVIMFMottle-faced,OVI
HLBluefaced Leicester,OVIMLMule Sheep,OVI
BMBooroola Merino,OVIMUMultiple Breeds Present,OVI
BCBorder Cheviot,OVINCN. Country Cheviot,OVI
BLBorder Leicester, OVINTNatural Colored, OVI
CDCalifornia Red,OVINANavajo-Churro,OVI
CMCalifornia Variegated Mutant,OVINSNot Specified,OVI
CACanadian Arcott,OVIOXOxford,OVI
CHCharolais,OVIPAPanama,OVI
CVCheviot,OVIPEPerendale,OVI
CFClun Forest,OVIDPPolled Dorset,OVI
COColumbia ,OVIPOPolypay,OVI
CPCoopworth,OVIRARambouillet,OVI
CSCormo,OVIRNRomanov,OVI
CRCorriedale,OVIRMRomnelet,OVI
CTCotswold,OVIRORomney,OVI
DEDebouillet,OVIRLRoyal White,OVI
DMDelaine-Merino,OVISBScottish Blackface,OVI
DRDorper,OVISHShetland,OVI
DODorset,OVISRShropshire,OVI
EFEastern Friesian,OVISOSoay/British Soay,OVI
FNFinnish Landrace (Finn),OVIOS"Solid face color, not black",OVI
GLGotland,OVISTSouthdown,OVI
GCGulf Coast (FL or LA Native),OVISCSt Croix,OVI
HR"Hairsheep, crossbred",OVISUSuffolk ,OVI
HAHampshire,OVITATarghee,OVI
HEHerdwick,OVITSTeeswater,OVI
DHHorned Dorset,OVITETexel,OVI
ICIcelandic,OVITUTunis,OVI
IFIle De France,OVIUKUnknown,OVI
JEJacob,OVIWEWensleydale,OVI
KAKarakul,OVIWDWhite Dorper,OVI
KTKatahdin,OVIWFWhite-faced ,OVI
LELeicester,OVIWHWiltshire Horn,OVI
Table 8b Goat Breed Code Table
BREEDGoat Breed Code TableBREED 
CODEDESCRIPTION,SPECIESCODEDESCRIPTION,SPECIES
AGAngora,CAPNDNigerian Dwarf,CAP
ALAlpine,CAPNSNot Specified,CAP
BOBoer,CAPNUNubian,CAP
CSCashmere,CAPOBOberhasli,CAP
DRDairy-type crossbred,CAPPGPygora,CAP
FIFiber-type crossbred,CAPPYPygmy,CAP
FIFiber-type crossbred,CAPPYPygmy,CAP
GGGolden Guernsey,CAPSASaanen,CAP
KIKiko,CAPSBSable,CAP
LNLa Mancha,CAPSPSpanish,CAP
MTMeat-type crossbred,CAPSVSavannah,CAP
MUMultiple Breeds Present,CAPTOToggenburg,CAP
MYMyotonic,CAPUKUnknown,CAP