I have been a breeder Barbados Blackbelly Hair sheep for several years. At least that is what they were called when I began my breeding program.
There were separate types but one name, hence the letterhead of the BBSAI at that time (profiles of the different types, one name) not too confusing.
There is a breed standard posted on the North American Barbados Blackbelly web site that is very clear that includes a list of undesirable traits, white and ewes with horns being two of them.
What seems to have initiated the controversy of the name change is, the breeders of the polled variety would like to have some distinction of that type being of pure imported stock, and the horned variety of a mixed genetic profile, however unless there is proof of the authenticity of the polled variety it is impossible to prove that there was no interbreeding with flocks here in North America.
If the name change is merely to distiguish our breed as a separate breed from that of other countries horned and polled than by all means it should be done.
Horned and polled should have the same standard with the exception of the rams, the horns being the obvious difference. Noting in registration of the ewes whether horned or polled.
Registration does not necessarily mean perfection. The American Kennel Club registers all in a litter despite genetic flaws.
That does not mean the breed standard is compromised. Every reputable breeder should breed toward that standard culling the sheep with the undesirable traits, however what is undesirable to a breeder does not necessarily make that animal worth any less to someone just looking for a pet or "weed eater".
Despite all the controversy there is nothing that brings it all back to what really matters, watching healthy, thriving lambs frolicking in the midst of protective flock.
Shannon Kaplan Chehalem Mountain Ranch
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