It is one of several Northern European short-tailed sheep breeds, but is notable for its high incidence of multiple births – it is common for a ewe to have three, four, or even five lambs at once.
Australian Finns are universally white; the wool has superior length, softness, better radius of curvature and reduced prickle factor.
Although not a large sheep, Finns produce a lean, succulent meat with a delicate and mild flavor, even as adults.
[4] By 1971, The Finnsheep Breeders Association had formed, providing shepherds with a standard of documentation to maintain and improve the integrity of the breed.
Further improving mothering, milk yield, and hardiness in paddock conditions, are the primary goals of the breeding program.
The breed has been used extensively for crossbreeding to produce sheep with various desirable characteristics, but particularly leanness, better wool production and improved fertility and fecundity (more lambs) and excellent "doing" ability.
They are also more resistant to intestinal parasites than many other breeds, and to a range of other problems such as pregnancy toxaemia ("twin lamb disease"), coccidiosis, and facial eczema.