The Merino is the oldest and most numerous breed in the world, thought to have come from Spain or North Africa. The Merino was New Zealand’s first sheep and today there are just over 2 million of them. br/br/Most Merinos are found in the rugged South Island hill country, where it is the only breed to thrive on the high altitude pastures of native grass. Merinos stay in mobs and move quickly.#160; Despite a heavy fleece, they are fairly small and hardy which means they survive the cold. Merinos have a very dense fleece - about 50 million fibres - nearly three times as many as other breeds. The wool is very fine and soft and although the outside of the fleece looks grey, inside it is quite white. The wool is 6.5 to 10cm long and has close wrinkles or quot;crimpsquot;. A Merino grows 3.5 to 5 kg of wool every year and is used to create very fine fabrics.