Breed Standard
A breeder's first task is to identify the specific purpose for breeding animals. This may seem obvious, but it is very often overlooked with the result that breeding is carried out with little progress towards any goal. Aimless breeding with no goals other than to produce a foal to sell on is doing any breed a disservice.
Breeding combines the elements of genetics, selection, and husbandry to accomplish a goal. If a philosophy is in place, every animal and every mating can be evaluated relative to the goal, giving purpose and identity to the herd.
Please see at the bottom of the page the full breed standard for the Miniature Mediterranean Donkey.
Please take the following very seriously when it comes to breeding or purchasing Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys...
INBREEDING
It is unacceptable to breed two donkeys that have ANY common ancestors in the previous three generations on both sire and dam's side - that is at parent, grand-parent or great grand-parent level.
If any donkey has common ancestors within these three generations they will be ineligible for stud book registration. It falls to a purchaser to inspect pedigrees before purchase. If a pedigree is not available, please contact the MMDA Registrar who will help you.
All MMDA members will soon have full access to Grassroots, an online system that allows you to view the stud book and check pedigrees. Until this access is available, we are always here to help and answer questions.
INSPECTIONS
All breeding stock (stallions and mares) should be inspected by a veterinary surgeon upon reaching their 3rd birthday. An upgrade form may then be submitted to the MMDA, applying for stud book registration.
Stud book registered, veterinary-inspected donkeys are recognised as premium breeding stock. They have been inspected for hereditary faults, are guaranteed to be free from in-breeding and have at least 3 generations in their pedigree.
All breeding stock should be veterinary inspected BEFORE a foal is conceived.
PLEASE NOTE: From 1st April 2026, it will be mandatory for all donkeys (male and female) to have passed veterinary inspection before entering the Stud Book.
For foals to be eligible to enter the Stud Book upon maturity, it will also be mandatory that BOTH parents were veterinary inspected BEFORE the foal was conceived.
BREEDING FROM FOALS
Before the age of 3 years old, donkeys are immature and are registered as foals. They are not to be used as breeding stock. This applies to stallions as well as mares.
If any foal is conceived before its sire or dam is 3 years old, it will not be eligible for MMDA registration in any form.