Pelibuey
The Pelibüey or Spanish: Cubano Rojo is a Cuban breed of domestic sheep. It is found principally in Cuba, where it is the most numerous breed of sheep, but is also reared elsewhere in the Caribbean and in some coastal parts of Mexico. It is a hair sheep – its coat is of hair, not wool; this is a common adaptation to tropical environments. This likely derives at least in part from African breeds of sheep such as the West African Dwarf, and probable is related to other American breeds of African origin such as the Barbados Black Belly, the Roja Africana of Venezuela, and the Oveja Africana of Colombia. It is raised primarily for meat.
| Life Span | 10-12 years |
| Weight | 45-160 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Pelibuey
Finding a responsible Pelibuey 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 Pelibuey. 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 Pelibueys 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 Pelibuey breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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