Shaun the Sheep is more than just everyone's fuzzy, four-legged friend. He also doesn't miss a trick or ever lose a beat, according to his theme song. But who is Shaun? What makes him tick? It's doubtful we have enough space here to psychoanalyze a sheep that gets into regular hijinks, but we can fill in the basic details: He's the star of one of Aardman Animations’ biggest spinoffs, ever. Ever since hitting the scene back in 1995’s Wallace and Gromit short “A Close Shave,” Shaun’s been a valued part of the Aardman family, stealing the hearts of everyone he bleats — err, meets. 

Still, there are plenty of folks who haven't had the pleasure of checking out one of the animation world's funniest furballs. There’s a lot you’ve been missing out on: dozens of shorts, to be exact, and more than a few reasons to get into this realm of feel-good entertainment. 

If you're just getting acquainted with Shaun by way of Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas, you'll be pleased to hear that there's a whole collection of Shaun (and other stop-motion characters’) content to dive into. Ready to dive in? Here are five fuzzy facts about Shaun the Sheep. 

Shaun the Sheep is a Wallace and Gromit Spinoff

In Shaun’s Wallace and Gromit debut, "A Close Shave," the clever sheep from Mossy Bottom Farm finds himself the victim of a particularly sinister dog who rustles sheep for his owner, a wool dealer. 

He eventually reappears in a series of episodic tales revolving around his repeated attempts to spice things up on the farm he and his flock live on. In each episode, Shaun and his friends look for fun in ways that usually escalate into hilarious antics. To date, there have been 170 episodes and six seasons of the core Shaun the Sheep series, and his new Netflix adventure is the latest addition to the list. 

Shear Personality, No Dialogue

Actions speak louder than words. Shaun knows this better than anyone. Unlike in Wallace and Gromit, which typically features dialogue from Wallace, and some of the supporting cast, Shaun's escapades feature zero dialogue. He makes the occasional frustrated grunt or laugh, as do the other animals in the shorts. 

But there's no need for chattiness when Shaun’s in the frame. He’s perfectly capable of putting a smile on your face by slyly stealing a piece of cheese or worming his way out of an automatic sheep-shearing machine. 

There's an Entire Shaun the Sheep Family

Shaun may typically be busy stirring up trouble on the farm or getting into mischief, but he does have a family to think of, too. Specifically, he has a partner named Lola, and together they have a child named Shaun Jr. Timmy, Shaun Jr.'s cousin, is an especially rambunctious tot, while Shaun Jr. is a bit more chill. Shaun himself is the son of Kaylen and Hazelle.

This Spinoff Has Its Own Official Spinoff

We’ve already mentioned that Shaun the Sheep is a spinoff of Wallace and Gromit. But get this: There's another show that spun off from Shaun the Sheep. Timmy, Shaun Jr.'s wacky little cousin, has his own show to make mischief on: Timmy Time. 

This 26-episode series follows little Timmy and his friends as they make their way through preschool and learn about important life lessons like sharing, owning up to their mistakes and making friends along the way. This show also doesn't feature dialogue, but there's a wider variety of barnyard animals with whom Timmy interacts, such as a duckling, piglet, kitten, puppy, hedgehog and even a badger. 

Shaun's Name Came from an Unlikely Place

What kind of a name is Shaun for a sheep, anyway? It's like naming a pet David or Justin. There's a good reason for this unique name, though. Shaun was officially christened during his original appearance on Wallace and Gromit.

The reason? The word Shaun, when spoken with an English accent, sounds like shorn. And what is a sheep when its fur has been shaved off? Exactly.