Jonica
The Jonica is an Italian breed of domestic goat from the province of Taranto, in Puglia in southern Italy. Its origins are uncertain; it is thought to derive from crossing of local varieties with the Maltese breed. It is one of the eight autochthonous Italian goat breeds for which a genealogical herd-book is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep-breeders. In 1998 the total number of the goats was estimated at 20000 head. At the end of 2013 the registered population was 232.
| Life Span | 12-14 years |
| Weight | 25-75 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Jonica
Finding a responsible Jonica breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells goats commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Jonica. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Jonicas appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Jonica breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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