The nutrient content of sheep milk is rich in protein,fat and minerals,such as calcium,magnesium and other elements,which are higher than cow and goat milk.Sheep milk contains a variety of bioactive components:epidermal growth factor,lactoferrin,bioactive peptides,etc.,with unique health functions,can effectively prevent diabetes,cancer and other diseases.At the same time,sheep milk also plays an important role in gas-trointestinal tract,antibacterial and other aspects to promote human health.As sheep milk is more and more favored by consumers,sheep milk in-dustry has gradually attracted the attention of the industry and started to develop in China.Although it has just started in our country,it is develop-ing rapidly and has a broad market space in the future.The functions of the characteristic components of sheep milk are also gradually excavated.Therefore,the conventional nutritional components,characteristic components,functions of bioactive components of sheep milk as well as the processing characteristics and market prospects of sheep dairy products were summarized.The functional characteristics of bioactive components in sheep milk were analyzed with emphasis,in order to provide theoretical support and ideas for exploring more functions of sheep milk,promote the popularization of sheep milk and promote the development of our milk and sheep industry.