The North Country Cheviot is a breed that has been widely used for centuries in the North of England and Scotland.   They are an independent, outdoor sheep, strong-willed, vigorous and very hardy in harsh climates and rough pasture.  The ewes show superior mothering instincts, deliver lambs easily and feature the longest lactation period of any of the more popular breeds.  The lambs are very spry at birth. 
Although only average in rate of gain, the carcass quality is very good, with high red meat content and above average percentage yield.  For all of these reasons, North Country Cheviot rams are often used in crossbreeding to pass on the maternal strengths of the breed and to improve carcass quality.  The breed is best suited to pasture systems where management is not intensive.