Maltese donkey
The Maltese donkey also known as Ħmar Malti is a breed of donkey originated in Malta. It used to be used as a beast of burden. It is a relatively small breed of donkey with a compact body. It is considered as a part of cultural heritage of Malta, it has played its role in Malta's history in transportation and even used for entertainment for celebrations during Christmas. It was also imported to United States on the request of President George Washington, where it was used to breed the American mammoth donkey which changed the farming landscape of Southern states. Currently, there are only about 50 Maltese donkeys remaining.
| Life Span | 25-30 years |
| Weight | 180-450 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Maltese donkey
Finding a responsible Maltese donkey breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells donkeys 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 Maltese donkey. 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 Maltese donkeys 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.
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Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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