Breed History

Where did the mini donkey come from?
  Miniature donkeys are native to the Mediterranean Islands of Sicily and Sardinia.  The two types do not differ and have been extensively bred with each other and with other animals of unidentified ancestry in the United States to produce a distinctively American breed of donkeys - The miniature Mediterranean Donkey.
  According to all information that can be acquired these donkeys are nearly extinct in the land of their origin. There is resent news of a small herd of miniature donkeys kept in Sardinia by the Government as a novelty, since they do not consider them fit for work any longer. There are approximately 50,000 miniature donkeys in the United States today.

The original miniature donkey registry?
  The first US registry was established in 1958 by Danby Farm in Nebraska, and today this registry is a part of the American Donkey and Mule Society in Lewisville Texas.

What is the size if a miniature donkey?
  The breed is defined by size, and as implied by their name Miniature Donkeys are small animals.  The height limit is 36” at the withers for an adult.  For the first 30 years of the registry’s existence the height limit was 38”.  This was determined by the height of the largest animals that were imported.
  In 1988 this limit was changed to 36” by a consensus of the breeders.  It is common to find larger miniature donkeys listed in many pedigrees, for several generations 37 and 38” donkeys will be found in the registry. 
  Today you can still register a miniature donkey that is between 36” & 38” if both the parents are registered miniatures proving miniature lineage.  

David & Red Sunset

Hannah & Honey

Uses
The miniature donkey is most popularly used as a pet, They are excellent pets for both children and adults and can be trained to do many things.

What can you do with a mini?
Miniatures are quick learners and can be easily trained to pull a small cart or wagon, singly or as a team. They can pack a moderate load of 50-100 pounds and can be trained for young children to ride.
Many miniatures are used in special programs for the elderly, handicapped, and petting zoos.
Some of the other popular uses include breeding for sale and showing.
Miniature donkeys can also be used as companions for other livestock, and protection animals; but this needs to be monitored closely as not all miniature donkeys are suitable for this job.

Malachi & Chippewa Fox

Robin & “newborn” Mary Rose

Hannah & Nicky

 Malachi & Manny

Donkey Conformation

Head
The head should be in proportion to its body size, wide at the forehead and jaw, tapering down to the muzzle. The eyes should be large and kind, and the ears set alertly. The profile should be straight not “roman” or “convex”. Some dished profiles are found and whether to breed them is a matter of taste.

Neck
A neck should be strong firm and in proportion to the body. Short thick necks should be carefully evaluated. They are more common on jacks, but should still be balanced to the rest of the body.
Donkeys have straight necks not arched as in horses. A long thin weak neck should also be avoided.

Fat Neck
Donkeys have special storage tissue at the top of the neck. Older or obese animals may develop a roll of fat at the top of the neck. This is common on the donkeys and is an inherited trait. To avoid this, do not overfeed your animals.
 
Body
Although you should not judge an old brood jennet on the points given, especially in the back and belly parts of conformation her body still should be full and deep with plenty of room for the foal to develop. 
The miniature donkey should be narrower than a pony of the same size when viewed from front and rear.  The chest should show some width and rounded qualities, and the belly and body should be full and deep.  The belly should not be “tucked up” like a grey hound, but the belly should carry nearly level to the flank.  the donkey should have well sprung ribs. 
A “slab sided” donkey should be avoided for breeding purposes.  A flat ribbed jennet has little room for her internal organs, and a foal, and a flat ribbed jack passed on the fault.

Legs
The miniature donkey is representative of a small working animal.  Legs should be strong boned for the size of the animal, with good sturdy bone, hocks and knees and set on straight. Proper hoof trimming from foal hood can eliminate many potential leg problems.  Some leg problems are not inherited, but are the result of improper hoof trimming, and neglect of proper feeding with correct vitamin and mineral balance. Therefore, it is important to keep the feet of young animals trimmed and balanced as they are growing. If leg problems are occuring in your herd through inheritance, a herd evaluation needs to be done to cull out the fault producing animals.

Donkey Terms

Foal

Colt

Filly

Jennet/Jenny

Jack

Gelding

Burro

Donkey

Ass
       
      “UNDER CONSTRUCTION!”