Australian Babydoll Registries
Documenting pedigrees with care and precision.
Babydoll Registries
Of all the topics that confuse prospective Babydoll owners, Babydoll Registries would have to be the main contender.
It’s actually quite simple — there are now three registries in Australia recognised for Babydoll Sheep. Gumbuya Babydolls are registered with the ASSBA and the BSBA. They are eligible for triple registration.
For the Purist
1. The Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association Ltd. (ASSBA)
The ASSBA is the oldest established purebred sheep registry in Australia. Their first Flock Book was printed in 1895, meaning that pedigrees of purebred Babydolls registered with ASSBA can be traced back over 120 years — pretty awesome!
ASSBA does not recognise coloured Babydolls, nor do they recognise Babydolls registered with other registries. However, there is an appendix breeding-up program available for members who wish to introduce new genetics into their flock.
The Babydoll Sheep Association of Australia (BSAA) serves as the official breed society for the ASSBA Babydoll Registry. The BSAA is not a registery in its own right, all sheep must be registered through the ASSBA.
🔗 ASSBA Website
🔗 Babydoll Sheep Association of Australia (BSAA)
Introducing a Splash of Colour
2. Babydoll Sheep Breeders Australia (BSBA)
The BSBA recognises coloured Babydolls, along with the traditional white. Gumbuya coloured Babydolls are registered with the BSBA.
All registeries accept ASSBA-registered sheep, meaning animals can be dual or even triple registered across the three organisations. However, coloured Babydolls can only be registered with the BSBA or the AABMGS.
🔗 Babydoll Sheep Breeders Australia (BSBA)
Breed Standard
The breed standard for Babydolls is largely consistent across all three registries, each of which provides a detailed breed description on its website. All registries now use the term Babydoll with no reference to Southdown. The ASSBA does not accept coloured sheep, whereas both the BSBA and the AABMGS do.
Coloured Babydolls are still a work in progress in Australia. While a small number of purebred coloured Babydolls are beginning to emerge, colour is generally still being introduced through breeding-up programs.
Are Babydolls Miniature?
One of the most common questions asked is whether Babydolls are “miniature” sheep.
Technically, no, they are not. The term miniature is sometimes used to describe their smaller size, but Babydolls are a naturally small breed, not sheep that have been bred down in size from a larger type. In fact, modern Southdowns have been bred up in size to meet market demands — not the other way around. Babydolls have a minimum height standard to ensure their health and wellbeing.