Saltasassi
The Saltasassi is an Italian breed of upland sheep, reared for meat. It originates in the provinces of Verbano Cusio Ossola and Novara in the northern part of Piemonte, in north-west Italy. It is one of the forty-two autochthonous local sheep breeds of limited distribution for which a herd-book is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep-breeders. The population in 1983 was estimated at 2500. In 2013 the total number for the breed was not recorded; in 2012 it was 37. A study conducted by the region of Piemonte in the year 2000 found the Saltasassi to be virtually extinct. At the end of 2020 the population numbered six head – five ewes and a ram; in 2025 the conservation status of the breed was listed in DAD-IS as "at risk/critical".
| Life Span | 10-12 years |
| Weight | 45-160 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Saltasassi
Finding a responsible Saltasassi 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 Saltasassi. 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 Saltasassis 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 Saltasassi breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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