HISTORY OF THE BREED

The Miniature Mediterranean Donkey is it's own breed, they are not bred down in size from standard donkeys.  Their ancestors come from the Islands of Sicily and Sardinia near the Mediterranean Sea.  The Miniature Donkey is extremely intelligent and docile and is easily trained.  The first Miniature Donkeys were imported into the United States in 1929 by Mr. Robert Green.

In the early 1950's, Daniel & Bea Langfeld established the Danby Farm in Omaha, Nebraska. They were the first professional breeders of miniature donkeys in the United States.  Bea Langfeld established the original registry - The Miniature Donkey Registry of the United States in 1958.  She turned the registry over to the stewardship of the American Donkey and Mule Society in Lewisville, Texas in 1987.

DONKEY TERMS

Jennet:  Female Donkey
Jack:  Male Donkey
Herd Sire: An exceptional jack used to sire foals in a breeding program
Gelding: Castrated male (can no longer reproduce)
Foal:  Baby Donkey

LIFE SPAN

Miniature Donkeys are truly a life long companion. With proper care and nutrition, their life span is 25 to 35+ years.

HEIGHT & WEIGHT

Miniature Donkeys average between 29" and 34" at the withers, with a maximum of 36".
The average adult Miniature Donkey weighs between 200-350 pounds.

COLORS

The most common color for the Miniature Donkey is a slate gray color. Other colors are tans, browns, dark browns, black/brown, black (rare), sorrels, white, and spotted. The majority of donkeys have a cross at the withers that runs down the shoulders and back. Miniature Donkeys usually have a white muzzle and white markings around their eyes know as "points".  A Miniature Donkey with a black nose and no white eye rings is called a Miniature Donkey with no light points (NLP).  While a variety of color adds interest to the Miniature Donkey breed, breeding for color should never be put before conformation.

CONFORMATION

A Miniature Donkey should have a well balanced look.  This means that no part of the donkey should attract immediate attention, for example, head too small or too large, or the rump of the donkey being much higher than the wither.  If you plan to breed your Miniature Donkeys, you must first verify that your donkeys are breeding quality and you must assure you have carefully selected your breeding pair.  The American Donkey and Mule Society can provide you with complete conformation guidelines.  We are always happy to assist new breeders! A great place to learn more about conformation is at

Cookes Livestock Miniature Donkeys.

Contents

Additional information regarding miniature donkeys

www.miniature-donkeys.org -- General resource of breeders, rescues, and associations, including a selection of pictures of Miniature Donkeys and informational links.