Viterbese
The Viterbese or Italian: Grigio Viterbese is an Italian breed of donkey from the Lazio region of central Italy. It is particularly associated with the town and province of Viterbo from which it takes its name, and also with the Monti della Tolfa and the town of Allumiere in the province of Rome; for this reason it may sometimes be known as the Asino di Allumiere. In 2007 it was reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as extinct. In 2012 it was added to the list of autochthonous donkey breeds of limited distribution recognised by the Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali, the Italian ministry of agriculture and forestry. A total population of 153 head was reported in the same year.
| Life Span | 25-30 years |
| Weight | 180-450 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Viterbese
Finding a responsible Viterbese 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 Viterbese. 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 Viterbeses 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 Viterbese breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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