The indigenous sheep breeds in Greece have a relatively short anoestrus. Some ewes begin to cycle before June but there is considerable variation, both between the within breeds, which may be associated with genotype or with environmental factors. Mating in spring or early summer, with or without synchronisation, is a common practice in order to take advantage of the climatic conditions and of the traditional marketing period for suckled lambs. In many cases the ewes are still being milked daily and are in low body condition. Conception rate is often low and the lambing period - in flocks of around 100 ewes - may extend over several months. Melatonin is known to advance the onset of oestrus in autumn breeding ewes but treatments initiated before June have given equivocal results.

There are many locally-named breeds in Greece, all of which are derived from Zackel or Tsigai types in various combinations. One of the most numerous is the Karagouniko, described as a medium-sized, hardy breed of Zackel origin, probably with some introduction of a fat-tail breed. A ewe in good body condition weighs about 60 kg. In most regions there is little consistent breeding policy except to improve milk production and fecundity of the local breed by crossbreeding to the semi-indigenous Chios or, less commonly, the imported East Friesland. The Chios is reputed to be derived from a Turkish fat-tail breed crossed with ingenous sheep of Zackel and/or Tsigai origin. Adult ewes in good condition weigh around 65 kg.The traditional marketing period for lambs is December to Easter and 80% are sold off milk at an age of 30 to 50 days and a carcase weight (including head) of 5 to 9 kg. Despite the highest, number of sheep per head of population in the EEC, some 16% of consumption is imported, usually in the 13 to 15 kg carcase range. The consumer discriminates against fat but there is no recognised standards of assessment or grading.