Genuine sheepskin is naturally quite absorbent thanks to the presence of pours. As the sheepskin is processed at the tannery, most of the organic materials are removed but the absorbency remains. This trait is actually utilised in sheepskin processing to make sure that dyes are fully absorbed resulting in long lasting vibrant colours. Once the sheepskin has been initially processed, there are number of finishing options available, including finishes which will help the leather resist or repel water.