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Tsigai

Tsigai

Ruda is a breed of sheep found mostly in Albania and Croatia. In 2009, Ruda sheep is the most endangered breed of sheep in the Republic of Croatia. The area in Croatia where Ruda is grown is exclusively the Dubrovnik coast and the neighbouring islands, with a smaller hinterland of Dubrovnik. The Ruda sheep originated from the Romanian Tsigai, a fine fleeced sheep in the Balkans. The Ruda may be related to the Romanian Tsigai. This breed is primarily raised for wool.

Life Span 10-12 years
Weight 45-160 kg

What to Know Before Buying a Tsigai

Finding a responsible Tsigai 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 Tsigai. 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 Tsigais 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 Tsigai breeder?

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

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