News & Events
'Updates'
Foals, For Sale and Jennies pages updated
'Vagabond is off to Flicka'
We are delighted that Baudet du Poitou gelding 'Vagabond d'Hamerton' (...
''Mini Mules' anyone'
Miniature Shetland Pony mare 'Kitty' owned by Jacky Pringle and Chelse...
Back to Breeds page
Miniature Mediterranean Donkey
 The Miniature Mediterranean Donkey is an old
established breed quite separate from the larger ‘standard’
donkeys. It originated from islands in the Mediterranean and
adjacent parts of the mainland of both Europe and North Africa.
Animals were taken from Sardinia to the USA in 1929, and all of
todays minis are descended from those and other early imports.
By 1995 there were over 2,000 in America and today that number
is nearer 20,000. Over this time they have been selectively bred
and are now the most perfect pets; gentle, loving and
responsive, trustworthy and very long lived. Like all donkeys
they must have company and never be kept on their own. Gelded
jacks make the most suitable pets, and ideally you should keep
two as they love company. |
 The earliest imports to England were in the 1970s and 1980s by
Lord and Lady Fisher of Kilverstone. Our senior jack ‘Jasper’
originates from that early stock, and this line has been bred at
Hamerton over many years. All of our animals are registered with
the various breed societies both in the UK and the US. Over the
past few years we have imported further animals from selected
herds, and the herd now includes greys, spots and browns of
various shades. Bloodlines here include many prize winners and
champions from ShortAssets, Country Music, Frontier Legends,
Itsy Bitsy, Willow Creek and other lines, in various
combinations. |
 Many Miniature Donkey blood-lines carry the naturally ‘reducing’
gene, and although the maximum height for the breed is 36”, most
of our donkeys at Hamerton are between 29” and 34” tall. |