[2] The Oxford Down developed from about 1830, when Hampshire Down and Southdown ewes were put to Cotswold rams.

[5] A breed society, the Oxford Down Sheep Breeders Association, was formed in 1889[5] and a flock-book was published in the same year.

[2] Outside the UK, it is distributed ten other European countries and in Canada and the United States; the global population is estimated to be some 20000 head, and its international conservation status is 'not at risk'.

[6]: 879 [5] It is a shortwool breed, white on the body with brown or black wool on the face and lower legs.

Its capacity to produce a large, meaty carcase for further processing has stimulated interest from the meat industry, and it also grows the most wool of any of the terminal sire breeds.