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Nera di Arbus

Nera di Arbus

The Nera di Arbus, more fully Pecora Nera di Arbus ('black sheep of Arbus'), is an Italian breed of small domestic sheep indigenous to the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, off the western coast of central Italy. It is closely similar to the widespread Sarda breed of Sardinia, but is completely black. It takes its name from the comune of Arbus, in the province of Medio Campidano, in the south-western part of the island. It is raised in the provinces of Cagliari, Nuoro, Oristano and Sassari. The breed achieved official recognition in 2008.

Life Span 10-12 years
Weight 45-160 kg

What to Know Before Buying a Nera di Arbus

Finding a responsible Nera di Arbus breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells sheeps 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 Nera di Arbus. 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 Nera di Arbuss 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 Nera di Arbus breeder?

Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.

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