The Gentile di Puglia is a fine wooled breed from southern Italy . Development of this breed began in the 15th century but the primary improvement was from the 18th century onward. The breed was developed from Spanish Merino crossed with the local breeds. Saxony and Rambouillet breed was introduced during the 19th century. In the last half century the number of head has dramatically decreased and at the present time there're about 15,000 sheep mainly in the Basilicata, Molise and Puglia regions.
Rams are horned and the females are polled.
Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Prof. Francesco Panella, Dipartimento DI Scienze Zootecniche dell'Universit degli Studi DI Perugia. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents. All rights reserved.