In order to investigate the physical leather quality characteristics of different sheep breeds, skins were obtained from Dohne Merino, Dormer, Dorper, Meatmaster, Merino, South African Mutton Merino (SAMM) and White Dorper yearlings from two separate growth studies. The cured skins were stored for 18 months (Group 1) and 9 months (Group 2) prior to tanning. After tanning, samples from the butt region of the skins were taken to determine the tensile strength and distension properties. While sex, was found to have little effect (P > 0.05) on the physical characteristics of the leather in both groups, breed was found to have a more defined effect. Leather samples from White Dorper, Meatmaster and Dorper sheep had higher tensile strengths than that of wool breeds (∼15.23 N/mm² vs. ∼9.31 N/mm², respectively; P ≤ 0.05). In both production groups, White Dorper skins exhibited the highest breaking force (207.3 N and 280.5 N) and percentage elongation at break (103.5 % and 77.2 %). Alternatively, Merino, SAMM, Dohne Merino and Dormer skins showed weaker properties which reduced the extent to which these skins could be shaved without breaking, resulting in thicker leather with weaker characteristics than that of the hair sheep breeds. The leather properties of hair sheep breeds more closely resemble the industry stipulations for nappa leather products; while poorer quality skins from wool breeds are less desirable and may require different tanning processes to achieve an improved product.

为了研究不同绵羊品种的物理皮革品质特征，从两项独立的生长研究中分别从多恩·美利奴羊，多马，多珀，Meatmaster，美利奴，南非羊肉美利奴羊（SAMM）和白多珀一岁鸽获得了皮。在晒黑之前，将固化的皮肤存储18个月（第1组）和9个月（第2组）。晒黑后，从皮肤的对接区域取样，以确定抗张强度和膨胀性能。性别对两组皮革的物理特性几乎没有影响（P > 0.05），而品种对皮革的影响更为明确。White Dorper，Meatmaster和Dorper绵羊的皮革样品的拉伸强度比羊毛品种的拉伸强度更高（〜15.23 N / mm ² vs.分别为〜9.31N / mm ²；P ≤0.05）。在两个生产组中，White Dorper皮均表现出最高的断裂力（207.3 N和280.5 N）和断裂伸长率（103.5％和77.2％）。另外，美利奴羊，SAMM，多恩美利奴羊和多马羊的皮表现出较弱的特性，这降低了这些皮在不破裂的情况下被剃除的程度，从而导致较厚的皮革比羊皮品种具有更弱的特性。毛羊品种的皮革特性与纳帕皮革产品的行业规定更为相似。羊毛品种的皮质量较差，则不太理想，可能需要使用不同的鞣制工艺才能获得改进的产品。