The incidence of parturition difficulties from 239 sheep and 21 does from the last seven lambing periods was recorded at a clinic for obstetrics. Without exception the does were housed under extensive conditions by hobby-breeders. The sheep also originated predominantly from hobby-breeders and in a smaller amount from professional breeders, both practising extensive housing. The incidence of manual deliveries (m.d.) in both species was lower (39.3% in sheep; 42.8% in does) than that of caesarean sections (c.s; 57.3% in sheep; 47.7% in does). In a small amount the obstetrics were solved via fetotomy. The practical proceedings concerning the different methods of therapies including analgesia, surgical approaches and postoperative treatments are described. In sheep ringwomb was the dominating reason for dystocia for m.d. (43.5%) as well as for c.s. (73.7%), followed by obstetrics due to fetal abnormal presentation and/or position or posture (25.2% m.d.; 1.1% c.s.), secondary oversized fetuses due to postmortal emphysema and edema (19.1% m.d.; 10.7% c.s.), followed by primary relative or absolute oversized fetuses (1.0% m.d.; 4.8% c.s.) and simultaneously presentation of multiple fetuses (4.2% m.d.). Other causes of dystocia remained scarce (i.e. uterine torsion, hydrallantois, abdominal or perineal hernia). There rested an amount of sheep (7.1%) with preterm s.c. because of continuous pressure and pain symptoms followed by infections or injuries of the prolapsed vagina and/or rectum, pregnancy toxemia and other reasons. The main indication for fetotomy in sheep were fetuses with postmortal edema and emphysema (80.0%), deformity of the kids (20.0%) respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)