In the 1930 s when efforts were made to unify all mountain sheep breeds, the Brillenschaf disappeared from Austria. The Bavarian and Southern Tyrolean sheep were alike, whereas the Slovenian sheep were missing the characteristic, black coloring around the eyes and on the ears. The head has a Roman nose profile, is narrow, and free of wool and horns. The hanging ears are broad and large. Firm ankles and hard hoofs support fine- boned legs.
Breeding is non- seasonal and can be done three times in two years.
Twins are the norm. The fiber diameter is 32-35 microns. The hardy, frugal Brillenschaf can cope with high precipitation and is expert in climbing, therefore it is used for grazing high alpine areas which are inaccessible to cows. The Brillenschaf has been accepted into the Bavarian Sheep Registry in 1990 and the State of Bavaria subsidizes the preservation of this very endangered breed that used to be at home there in the last century. In 1993 there were 8 registered breeders with 8 breeding rams and 100 ewes.