The term stems from sheep whose fleece is colored black rather than the more common white; these sheep stand out in the flock and their wool was traditionally considered less valuable as it was not able to be dyed. The term has typically been given negative implications, implying waywardness.

Are sheep black or white?

Are white sheep just the most common or are all sheep white? While certain sheep breeds have a variety of fleece colors, the most common wool color for the vast majority of sheep being raised today is white, simply because white wool has more dyeing options.

Do black lambs turn white?

Several black sheep breeders have reported white lambs from black matings. This may be due to a gene mutation; the recessive black may have been replaced by a dominant black gene.