When asking what the best sheepskin rug there is to buy, this is a very subjective question and based on opinion. The question people should ask is what’s the best sheepskin rug for my intended purpose? Not only will the intended purpose of your future sheepskin rug help you decide, but also the specific qualities and preferences you have. Each sheepskin pelt rug is 100% unique and natural, each sheepskin throw rug also has unique characteristics.
Let’s face it, we have a lot of one-of-a-kind sheep and lambskins for sale, especially during the fall and winter months. Having such a large selection can sometimes be confusing for our customers and make it hard to find just the right natural sheepskin. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, DO NOT HESITATE to use the chat link or email link for help. We’re happy to assist you in finding that perfect hide, whether you’re using it as a rug, throw, or decorative accent.
It’s extremely hard to generalize each type of sheepskin we carry since many come from rare breed sheep and they’re not specifically bred for only their wool leaving each hide different from one another. So we’ve added links below to help you find popular sheepskins quickly by popular searches. If you want to learn more about the different types/breeds you can find that further down the page.
Shop by popular wool textures & size:
Softest Sheepskins – These skins are beyond soft and often aren’t as substantial as our more woolly sheepskins. Their wool is so soft that they feel more like fur than sheep’s wool!
Curly Sheepskins – These pelts offer lots of texture, and many have a more wild, woolly, and unpredictable look that instantly softens and adds interest to almost any area.
Long Wool (Fur / Hair) Sheepskins – Extra-long woolly sheepskins often have fibers that are 4” to 9” long and tend to lay flat and be less springy than the classic sheepskin most people are familiar with! Among the most sought-after shaggy sheepskins in the world are rare Icelandic sheepskins, famous for their long, hairy wool that looks and feels like no other.
Short Wool Sheepskins – Short-fur sheepskin pelts are wonderful for a neater, tidier look. Most short-wool skins have wool that’s 1/2” to 2” long. The short fur is easy to care for and requires less care than medium and long-wool hides.
Rare Giant Oversized Sheepskins – These hides are very large in size and often measure 48” or more, which is really big for a typical sheepskin. The large hides come in a variety of natural colors, spots, and textures.
Shop by color:
White, Cream & Ivory Sheepskins
Shop by Look
Rare Breed Sheepskins by Type
We often have the following types of sheepskins available, though they aren’t always in stock year-round, especially the extremely rare sheepskins:
- German Sheepskins from the extremely rare Bentheimer Landschaf, Deutsches Schwarzköpfiges Fleischschaf, and Weißköpfiges Fleischschaf sheep raised on organic German farms.
- Portland Sheepskins from England. “Once common all over Dorset, the breed was once one of the rarest in Britain and is still at risk. It nearly became extinct in the 1970s, but has now recovered through efforts of dedicated breeders and the help of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.” Quoted from Wikipedia.
- Texel, Texel Crossbreed, and Dutch Spotted Sheepskins from the Netherlands. These sheep are known for their heavy muscling and large size. Their skins are often as wide at the bottom as they are at the top, making them some of the largest, most substantial sheepskins available. Their wool is soft to the touch and very lofty.
- Icelandic Sheepskins from the rare purebred heritage breed in Iceland. In fact, they’re the only breed of sheep in the entire country, and it’s illegal to import any other breed.
- Gotland Sheepskins, another type that comes from a rare heritage breed in Sweden. These skins are famous for their tight gray curls.
- Mongolian Sheepskins with light, airy, thin, feather-soft, silky wool! Most skins weigh only 8 oz, just a bit heavier than your cell phone!!!
- British Rare Breed Sheepskins – These skins come from a group of British rare breeds. They aren’t sorted by breed at the tannery, so we don’t know the exact breed of each one. You can learn more about British sheep breeds on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust website.
No sheepskin we sell comes from an animal that was sacrificed for its hide. Our sheepskins are a byproduct of sheep that were also used for purposes such as vegetation control, milk, fiber, lanolin, and meat. So nothing goes to waste. These beautiful hides are sourced and tanned to provide years of comfort and warmth.
When you purchase a rare breed sheepskin, you’re also supporting the smaller farmers who continue to raise these uncommon sheep. Rare breeds aren’t raised on large farms because there simply aren’t enough sheep! Giving each hide a lasting purpose helps make raising these breeds more worthwhile and supports the preservation work of keeping them around for future generations. It’s a beautiful piece for your home, with a story and a purpose behind it.
Customer’s favorite sheepskin breeds/types
Icelandic Sheepskin
Icelandic sheepskins are highly esteemed by interior designers across the globe for their versatility in styling, distinctive shaggy texture, coarse feel to the wool and their effortless draping over furniture. Due to their suppleness, Icelandic rugs are also ideal as lap throws and are frequently utilized in films as Viking costumes. With regular brushing, Icelandic hides maintain their appearance without matting or significant alteration. Additionally, they serve excellently as emergency blankets. Icelandic natural sheepskins are available a rusty brown and white, as well as a variety of rare colors, including gray, palomino, dark spots, and multi color markings.
Holland Sheepskin (Netherlands)
These skins come from Netherlands and they’re prized for their high density, loftiness and substantial size! If you’re looking for a unique, dense, lofty and large sheepskin look no further!
Rare Breed Sheepskin
Our rare breed sheepskin rugs are characterized by their lofty, dense wool, making them exceptionally suitable as cushiony seating on sofas and chairs. These sheepskins provide a plush landing for your feet beside your bed or anywhere you desire the warmth and softness of a premium sheepskin carpet. Natural sheepskins are available in classic brown and white, as well as a variety of rare colors, spots, and markings.
Gotland X & Swedish Skins
Beautiful one-of-a-kind naturally colored sheepskins originating from the beautiful country of Sweden. Gotland sheep are know for their luxurious curly gray hides and when crossed with other Swedish sheep breeds produce some of the most stunning and unique skins available. Each has it’s own unique texture and look with no two ever being the same. Our pure Swedish skins are blankie like and feel like so silky and supple in hand.
We will also be adding rare purebred Gotland sheepskins to our offering late 2026.
Mongolian Sheepskin
Mongolian Tibet Sheepskins are exceptionally luxurious, offering one of the softest textures that resembles fur more closely than typical sheepskin. The wool is akin to silk, and the pelts are remarkably light and highly flexible. These hides are ideal for accent pieces, comforting security blankets, garment and craft creation, or serving as a warm bed throw alternative to electric heating pads. Our clients utilize them for various purposes, including in vehicles, camping, and travel. These highly packable and lightweight sheepskins require minimal maintenance to stay in pristine condition. Tibet natural sheepskins are available in White with brown spots, black with white spots and brown with white spots and natural white. We do not offer dyed sheepskins for sale.
Shorn Short Wool Sheepskin
Short wool sheepskins are a great option for people concerned about the care and upkeep of a regular and/or long wool sheepskins. Due to the lower pile these rugs rarely need to be brushed to keep neat and you still get the best of both worlds, a sheepskin floor rug or Throw without all the fuss and upkeep of the longer wool options! Our short wool sheepskins vary in length from just 1/2″ pile to 2″ making upkeep so easy!
Popular questions about sheepskins
What Should You Look for in a Sheepskin Rug?
Color is often the first consideration, but it should not be the only one. Before choosing a sheepskin, consider the following characteristics.
Wool Length
Long wool creates movement, depth, and a more dramatic appearance. It is particularly beautiful when draped over a chair, sofa, bench, or bed.
Shorter wool offers a tidier profile and is generally easier to maintain. It can also be more practical for seating, bedside placement, and areas where the sheepskin will receive regular use.
Wool Density
Density determines how full and substantial a sheepskin feels.
A densely woolled sheepskin provides more cushioning and tends to create a thicker, more luxurious appearance. A lighter-density skin may feel softer, more flexible, and easier to drape.
Neither is automatically better. The right choice depends on whether you want structure and cushioning or fluidity and movement.
What does a sheepskin feel like?
Not every sheepskin feels silky.
Some wool is fine, smooth, and fur-like. Other wool is naturally textured, curly, primitive, or more substantial in hand. These differences are part of the breed and should not necessarily be viewed as differences in quality.
The best texture is the one that suits how you plan to use the skin and how you want it to feel.
Are all sheepskin hides supple?
No, each sheepskin varies and some are highly supple which moves and folds easily, making it ideal for furniture, beds, laps, and decorative layering.
Other sheepskins are more structured and may lie flatter and feel more rug-like when placed on the floor. The leather side of every natural sheepskin can vary slightly in thickness and flexibility.
Where can I use a sheepskin rug?
Sheepskin are so versatile and there are so many ways you can style with and use a sheepskin!
Customers most commonly use their sheepskins for the following:
On a chair or sofa
Across a bench
Beside a bed
Layered over another rug
In a reading nook
As a bed or lap throw
On a wheelchair or frequently used seat
As a decorative statement piece
Can a Sheepskin be used as a floor rug?
Yes, but placement matters.
Dense, shorn, Holland, and many rare-breed sheepskins are well suited to light-use floor areas. Long-wool Icelandic skins can also be displayed on the floor, particularly where their texture can be appreciated without heavy foot traffic.
Avoid placing genuine sheepskins in areas exposed to:
Excessive moisture
Outdoor conditions
Mud or heavy soil
Constant foot traffic
Rolling office chairs
Repeated friction from furniture
For long-term beauty, sheepskins perform best as decorative floor accents rather than replacements for durable, high-traffic carpeting.
Finding Your Best Sheepskin Rug
The best sheepskin rug is the one that fits both your home and the way you intend to use it.
That individuality is not an imperfection. It is what makes the right sheepskin worth finding.
Summary of Sheepskins that you should consider browsing based on your preferences:
- If you’re looking for a plush dense wool sheepskin we recommend you search through our Rare Breed & Holland Sheepskins.
- If you’re looking for something airy, soft and feather light our Mongolian Skins are best for you
- Looking for something silky fur like? You should consider our Portland Sheepskins
- If you prefer a long wool that’s shaggy, hairy & textured our Icelandic Sheepskins would be a better choice
As you can clearly see, you need to rethink your search and find the best sheepskin for its intended use and qualities in which you desire. Only then will you find your best sheepskin rug.
Need help choosing? Text or message us with your preferred color, texture, size, and intended use. We will help you find the sheepskin best suited to your space.
Explore the Noryageur Sheepskin Collection
Discover genuine sheepskins selected for natural beauty, distinctive texture, and lasting appeal. From singular one-of-a-kind pelts to refined in-stock classics, our collection offers sheepskins for furniture, floors, beds, benches, and beautifully layered interiors.
Noryageur’s Customer Favorites & Best Selling Sheepskins
Curly Rug – Natural Icelandic Sheepskin
$150.00Icelandic Sheepskin Rug – Light Golden Brown
$150.00Spotted Icelandic Sheepskin Rugs – Natural Curly Wool Pelts
$150.00Large Lofty Brown Sheepskin Pelt Rug
$185.00Supple Icelandic Ivory White Lambskin Rug
$107.00Icelandic Sheepskin 4′ x 6′ 4-Pelt Throw/Rug – Marble Gray
$475.00Icelandic Double Sheepskin Gray Tip 84″ X 32″
Original price was: $275.00.$195.00Current price is: $195.00.Icelandic Sheepskin 4′ x 6′ 4-Pelt Throw/Rug – Natural White
$475.00Natural Gray Shorn Icelandic Lambskin
$175.00Spots & Flecks Icelandic Lambskin Rug
$150.00Natural Blacky Brown Icelandic Lambskin Rugs
$125.00
