The genetic relationship between the Döhne- and the Walrich-merino.

The Döhne- and the Walrich Sheep breeders' societies amalgamated in 1982 to form an enlarged Döhne Merino Breed Society. Both breeds are dual-purpose, polled breeds with high fertility as well as good wool and mutton characteristics. Apparently they have a similar genetic background, both being developed out of local Merino ewes and dual-purpose Merino-type sheep from Europe. Studies of biochemical polymorphisms in the blood of 224 Döhne and 204 Walrich Merino established a close relationship between these two breeds.