Vivian 

Miniature Donkey 

Vivian 

Unlike toy dogs, miniature donkeys aren’t bred to be a smaller version of full-grown donkeys—they are naturally small. They are no larger than 36” high at the withers and weigh about 200 to 450 pounds (which doesn’t really sound miniature, does it?)

They come from Italy’s Sicily and Sardinia and were imported into this country in 1929 by Robert Green, who started his herd with six females (called jennets) and one male (a jack). Today, it’s estimated that 10,000 to 20,000 miniature donkeys live in this country—but sadly, they are almost extinct in their native Italy.

Donkeys communicate with their distinctive “hee-haw,” called a bray, and just like humans, each donkey has its own distinctive voice.

They need to eat good quality hay and will graze on grass and other vegetation, but owners have to be careful not to overfeed them because they will easily get fat, which isn’t healthy for them.

Miniature donkeys are friendly and social and love their people. They get along well with other farm animals and are often used as companions for sick and recovering animals.