The sheep breed known for a black face and widely raised as a meat breed is the Suffolk.
The Suffolk originated in England in the late eighteenth century by crossing Norfolk Horn ewes with improved Southdown rams. The breed was first known by names such as Blackface or Southdown-Norfolk before “Suffolk” became established.
Suffolks are large, polled sheep with black faces and black legs, while their wool is white. They are especially valued for rapid growth and muscular carcasses. Suffolk rams are commonly used as terminal sires, meaning their offspring are primarily bred for meat rather than future breeding.
A common mix-up is Scottish Blackface, another meat-oriented breed with a black face. Scottish Blackface sheep are horned and have coarser wool, whereas Suffolk sheep are characteristically polled and are strongly associated with commercial lamb production.