Anti-scrapie breeding programs have been initiated to screen for scrapie-resistant sheep based on ovine prion protein gene PRNP genotypes at codons , and in many countries, especially European Union member states. However, investigation of sheep PRNP genotypes is limited in China, despite the large number of sheep breeds. Genotype frequencies of sheep were analyzed with these two methods to evaluate susceptibility to scrapie in northwestern China. Relevant mutations were also detected at other sites. Both methods were effective for ovine PRNP allele genotyping, and the results of the analysis completely coincided. Scrapie-resistant genotypes were found to be uncommon, indicating a high risk for ovine scrapie in northwest China.