As long as there are sheep, shearing must be practiced for the health and hygiene of each individual animal. Unlike other animals, most sheep are unable to shed. If a sheep goes too long without being shorn, a number of problems occur. The excess wool impedes the ability of sheep to regulate their body temperatures.

Is shearing sheep cruel?

On the contrary, for the majority of modern sheep it is cruel not to shear them. Domestic sheep do not naturally shed their winter coats. If one year's wool is not removed by shearing, the next year's growth just adds to it, resulting in sheep that overheat in summer. ... Shearing has to be done.

Do wild sheep need to be sheared?

Sheep didn't always need to be sheared; people breed sheep to produce excess wool. Wild sheep (and certain types of “hair” breeds like the Katahdin) will naturally shed their coarse winter coats. ... Zuri is part hair sheep, but still needs shearing to remove excess wool and hair.