The present day Kerry Hill Sheep should have the following physical characteristics: 

• Markings: The sheep should have a black and white face, odd spot on face acceptable. Legs should also be black and white. 
• Ears: Black, Black and White or White. Medium length, set high, free from wool. 
• Neck: Strong and muscular, well set into the shoulders. 
• Throat: Nicely curved and woolled, with no loose skin. 
• Teeth: Not overshot or undershot. Incisor teeth must bite on all inner surfaces. 
• Horns: Can occur genetically, but not desirable. 
• Ribs: Deep and well sprung, with good heart girth. 
• Back: Strong, level, firm to handle, wide loin, with plenty of length from hip-bone to tail. 
• Hind-Quarters: Wide and deep, well fleshed to hocks. 
• Tail: Hock length is the breed standard. Well set on, strong dock, free from dark or blue spots. 
• Legs: Front – well set, with strong bone, enough width but straight, clear of wool. Rear – plenty of width, clear of wool – must not be Cow, Sickle or Turkey hocked. 
• Feet: Front pasterns – No excessive length on joints. Short strong joints can carry weight. Rear pasterns – Not down on pasterns or long joints. Well-trimmed feet – sheep can walk properly. 
• Skin: Pink or red, free from black or blue spots or tint. 
• Wool: A white dense quality fleece free from kemp. Should be clean, a small amount of black is acceptable but undesirable. If very black or grey the sheep should be rejected. 
• Bone: Male – enough bone for the scale of the sheep, but not fine and spindly. Female – not too fine, but not heavy of bone. Neither should be weak behind the shoulder. 
• Males – Testicles the same size and wool free. Must be sound underneath.
• Females – Udder must be sound unless declared otherwise at shows or sales. 
• Carriage: the sheep should meet one boldly, standing square. Sheep must walk freely not lame or stiff. It is easy to check for footrot.

For American Kerry Hill sheep with percentage genetics, the breed standard characteristics are a work in progress and will improve over time with a well-planned breed up program. The AKHSS is committed to helping breeders find the best path forward in achieving purebred status and maintaining the breeds distinctive characteristics.