Important facts and pointers to be aware of when purchasing your
American Miniature Mediterranean Donkey/s
Important Breed & Registration Information
The American Miniature Mediterranean Donkey is the smallest of the Donkey breeds, and is a recognised breed of small Donkey, with an extensive recorded history of bloodlines, extending back to the original imports from Sicily to the US in the 1920's. The accepted height of American Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys according to the breed standard is 36 inches and under, the average height being around 32- 34 inches.
Information worth noting:
(Taken from The Official NMDA Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Breed Standard).
"Maximum height of 36" at the withers, measured at 3 years, has already been established by the Miniature Donkey Registry. A minimum height of 30" is strongly recommended by NMDA.
Rationale: A minimum height has not yet been determined, but a recommendation has been made to prevent loss of potential reproductive fitness including foaling difficulties. Small size may also adversely affect conformation and balance."
A 'smaller' Miniature Mediterranean Donkey does definitely not imply a 'better' Miniature Mediterranean Donkey. As acknowledged in the above text, Miniature Donkeys bred at the extreme end of 'small' can be plagued with physical problems, as can all animals bred to achieve extreme 'tinyness'.
The priority when considering the purchase of a Miniature Donkey, or any animal for that matter, should be it's health, along with balanced conformation, (form to function), which does not predispose it to potential future problems throughout its life.
Buyer Beware: A donkey that has 'USA Registration papers' does not necessarily have American Miniature Mediterranean bloodlines.
The US Miniature Donkey Registry (MDR) was founded in 1958 by Bea Langfeld. Now run by the American Donkey and Mule Society (ADMS), this registry is now exclusively for Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys. However, up until 2009, any Donkey under the height of 36" at the withers could be registered in the US Miniature Donkey Registry as long as it met basic type and conformation. This saw some breeders using non-descript Donkeys in their breeding programs to breed small Donkeys who were sold with "American Miniature Registration".
The US Miniature Donkey Registry is now closed to 'untraced' Donkeys as of Jan 2009. This means that ONLY Donkeys who have both parents already registered as Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys will be placed in the US MDR. As of January '09, newly registering Donkeys in the US, with one or both parents not already registered as Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys, will be placed in the "American Donkey Registry" (ADR) book.
These distinctions are important to be aware of if a purchaser is considering breeding in the future, or is specifically interested in the Miniature Mediterranean breed. If simply seeking a pet, they are of lesser importance, but a purchaser should be certain that they are getting what they are paying for.
Both the Donkey All Breeds Society of Australia, and the Donkey and Mule Society of New Zealand maintain studbooks specific to the American Miniature Mediterranean Donkey breed, and list member breeders. These sites are an excellent place to start if researching the American Miniature Mediterranean breed and/or available stock for sale. A Donkey registered with either of the above societies as 'American Miniature Mediterranean' is guaranteed to be of genuine Miniature Mediterranean breeding, from imported bloodlines.
General
Is the 'bite' of your prospective donkey's teeth even? Do NOT purchase animals with more that 1/4 inch over or under bite. On-breeding of this conformation fault should not be encouraged by the purchase of stock exhibiting this fault, for any purpose. Ideally, have a pre-purchase dental exam carried out by a qualified Equine Dentist.
Does your prospective American Miniature Mediterranean Donkey have a pedigree that you can view, and thereby check for bloodlines and in-breeding? For some time there have been only a handful of imported Miniature Mediterranean Jacks available in Australia, which has meant that many Miniature Mediterraneans within Australia are related. Check the pedigrees of potential purchases to ensure that the donkey you are considering is not the product of inter-related breeding. At the very least, check the sire and dam of each parent of the donkey you are considering purchasing. You should not find that the sire and dam share a parent. This breeding practice should not be supported.
Does the breeder adhere to recommendations included in the NMDA Breed Standard and breed no smaller than the recommended minimum height of 30" at the withers?
Is the animal up to date with worming and vaccinations? Is there a record provided ?
Is the animal in good overall physical condition?
Is the breeder honest in sales and advertising, and do they offer animals that are realistically priced, reflecting their bloodlines, conformation, handling/education, sex, age, and health?
Is your prospective purchase registered? / Breeder will register and present papers prior to purchase? (Do not pay an additional fee to get the registration papers with your donkey. If the donkey was advertised as registered, the papers are part of the purchase).
Is the breeder happy to offer follow up support and interested in remaining in touch?
This may sound like stating the obvious, but can you walk up to your prospective new donkey in an open paddock and catch it easily? Or better still, will it come to you? Life can be very difficult with a donkey who doesn't want to be caught! As explained earlier, these donkeys are quite unbelievably loving and affectionate by nature, but if a donkey has been running in a 'herd' situation and has had little human contact or handling, it is naturally going to be very wary, and will take some time and an investment of patience on your behalf before it will warm to you.
Foals
Beware foals for sale that are too young for weaning, as this can effect how well adjusted they will be as adults. Foals need to stay with their mums for at least five to six months. Young foals learn many valuable lessons by remaining with adult donkeys until weaning.
Has the foal been well handled from birth? Is he/she sociable, calm and well mannered?
Are the sire and dam of your prospective Miniature Donkey foal available for viewing? Are there photos available for viewing if not?
In buying babies you should determine accurately the height of the parents. If you buy Miniature babies without knowing the height of the parents you are taking the chance that they may grow over the 36" mark, and will thus need to be registered as standard donkeys.
Jennies
If your purchase is female, and has been bred, has she been tested positive in foal? Is the Veterinary paperwork available?
Will the breeder provide a valid Breeding Certificate?
Do not purchase for breeding any Jack/Jenny that has a serious conformation fault.
Do not purchase females bred under the age of 3 years old, or purchase from breeders who allow uncontrolled inbreeding to occur. Jennies only reach physical and mental maturity sufficient for safe breeding and successful mothering at three years of age and and older.
Jacks
It is not recommended that you buy an ungelded adult Jack as a pet. Even though a male donkey's nature is to be much less nervous and tense than an ungelded horse, you cannot remove his basic instincts. A jack will require a handler who is an experienced and knowledgeable handler of equines. Jacks enjoy braying, and may challenge their owner for the 'alpha' role. Geldings or jennies make the best pets.
Young jacks may be bought, and gelded to make wonderful pets, but an older jack may retain some of his 'jack' characteristics if gelded at a later stage in his life. Jacks should be kept entire only if they are intended for breeding. A gelding's life is much less complicated without having to deal with hormones. Both geldings and jennies have very quiet personalities, and both make wonderful, well balanced, and quiet companions.
If purchasing a jack over the age of 24 months, do not purchase a animal whose testicles have not descended.
Do not purchase for breeding any jack/jenny that has a serious conformation fault.
If purchasing a jack for breeding purposes, research his pedigree to ensure that his bloodlines do not contain that which relate him to your jennys. At present there are a very small number of American Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys in Australia, and many are related through a handful of jacks. This situation is improving all the time, as there are committed breeders who are importing quality stock from both the US and NZ, thus adding to the gene pool.
Always remember - THE JACK IS HALF THE HERD. Since he contributes half the genes to every foal in his breeding group, he is indeed half the herd and a very important half too! Do not compromise on your jack.
Before you purchase & arrange delivery of your donkey/s, make this final check:
Animal is the same I looked at before?
Health still good?
Available are:
- Current health papers/records.
- Registration Certificate and signed transfer.
- Health/worming/vaccination record.
- Breeding Certificate (if applicable).
- Pedigree records current with relevant registry.
If any information has changed significantly, if the animal's health has declined, or if the papers are not in order - find out why.
Buyers should seek out breeders who adhere to the above principles,
and thereby demonstrate their responsibilities to both the buyer and the Breed.
Ethical Principles of Buying/Selling from the National Miniature Donkey Association.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
