Ovis is a genus of mammals, part of the Caprinae subfamily of the ruminant family Bovidae. Its seven highly sociable species are known as sheep or ovines. Domestic sheep are members of the genus, and are thought to be descended from the wild mouflon of central and southwest Asia.

The mouflon is a wild sheep native to Caspian region, including eastern Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Iran. It is also found in Europe. It is thought to be the ancestor of all modern domestic sheep breeds.