Research Progress on Utilization Analysis of Dorper Sheep in China

Dorper sheep is native to South Africa, it is one of the world famous mutton sheep breeds, it is a good terminal male parent of mutton sheep hybrid production, after be introduced into China, it has been distributed in many provinces (municipality, municipalities directly under the central government), and has played an important role in promote the commercial mutton sheep production in China. In this paper, through introducing the rapid growth and development of Dorper sheep, good meat performance of germplasm characteristics, and by introducing Dorper sheep at different regions in China,the first filial generation of hybrid with local sheep varieties respectively compared with local sheep in growth and development, meat performance, we found that the first filial generation of Dorper sheep as male parent hybrid with local sheep all showed strong heterosis, and could be used as excellent male parent varieties of cultivate the new mutton sheep varieties and hybridization and improvement in China.