The black Thibar and the UAE local black are two sheep breeds initially selected for specific purposes. The first breed was created in 1924 by crossing the French Merinos d'Arles and the Algerian Thin Tail in order to produce animals uniformly black resistant to a plant (Hypericum perfoliatum). White skin animals are allergic to the latter one. The second breed was traditionally preferred for its small size with a relatively good prolificacy and ewes are capable to breed all year round. Both breeds encountered inbreeding problems and were subject to unwise crossbreeding programs. The lack of adequate knowledge of animal breeding basis and the absence of national breed organisations were real handicaps for a correct management of these animal resources well adapted to their environment.