1. The Tsurcana may have descended from the wild Ovisvigneiarkar. Since
prehistoric times it has been domesticated in the Carpathians
Mountains where it was established as a breed. It spread with the
movement of flocks through the Alpine grazing areas to all Central
European countries. The Tsurcana and its varieties are widely spread
over Romania. Known as ValachianZeckel it can also be found in
southern Ukraine, Moldavia (Tushka), Greece, Albania, Yugoslavia,
Croatia, Bosnia-Hertzegovina, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Slovakia and
Poland. The greatest density of population, over six million, are found in
Romania, mostly in mountainous regions. There are three varieties:
white, grey and black. The white Tsurcana is the most numerous and
highly selected.
Average height, long-limbed and medium-limbed, at maturity the ram
weight averages 60-80 kg and the ewe weight 40-55 kg. The Tsurcana
exhibits a narrow, straight head. The rams are horned as are 50% of the
ewes. The color can be white, brownish-black or grey, depending on the
variety. In white sheep there are frequently spots around the lips, eyes
and on the face and limbs. The trunk is medium; the well-developed
barrel allows the attachment of a globe-shaped and well-developed
udder. The breed is easily recognized by its coarse rough wool with a
staple length of 20-30 cm. This breed has a harmonious body, a lively
temperament, very quick in searching food. During mild winters it can
be feed on the pasture only.

2. Tsurcana is highly adapted to mountainous conditions but it also
spreading well received in hill and plains areas.
It is a hardy breed, remarkably well adapted to bad weather due to its
highly water resistant fleece and ability to cover long distances in search
of forage. The breed is also very disease resistant. In autumn it develops
5-10 kg of internal fatty deposits, which is used as energy supplies
during the winter and dry-lot period. The winter feeding costs are
typically 2-3 times less in comparison with the finewool breeds.
It is a dual-purpose breed raised for milk, meat and wool production
(Sibiu, Brashov, Caransebesh, Alba, Hunedoara, Gordge); milk, fur of
young lambs and wool (Moldavia) depending on ecotype and the
breeder's speciality.
Milk: medium production for primiparas 100 ± 40 kg and for pluriparas
150 ± 50 kg is obtained in 220 lactation days. The fat percentage is 7-8%
and 6% in protein in milk. The milk is very good for feta, yoghurt, Swiss
cheese, cheese for pizza.
Meat: newborn lambs weigh 3-4 kg and then their weight increases as
follows: 9-10 kg (30 days old lambs), 20-25 kg (90 days old lambs), 30
kg (150 days old lambs). Suckling lambs with supplemental feeding
from the age of ten days reach 15-17 kg at 45 days, gaining 150-275 g
daily. If best conditions are provided, weaned lambs at 2.5-3 months and
fattened intensively reach 40-47 kg at the age of 7 months.
Wool: 2-4 kg in ewes, 4-6 kg in rams, the wool strand has long and thick
fibers (is 25 cm, 50-100 µ respectively), intermediate (12-15 cm and 35-
45µ respectively) short ones (9 cm, 25 - 35 µ respectively). It is used for
oriental carpets.
Fur of young lambs: the black and gray varieties are good for cross-
breeding, with Karakul breed, having as a result 70-80% good quality
Karakul fur.