Herdwick ewe (Photo by Tony Richardson www.lakelandcam.co.uk)
The principal livestock farmed on the Lake District fells are sheep. The local breed are Herdwicks which are very hardy with a rather rough wool. It is likely that the Dixon's sheep were of this breed. Herdwick's stay in their own territory and do not stray far which means that they can easily be found on the unfenced fells.
They are very hardy and can withstand the cold and wet conditions found on the hills. They do not require any extra feed over the regular grass and vegetation of the hills.