When I arrived at Dinkie Donkies, the herd was scattered all around the pasture. Within moments, the cute little Miniature Donkeys had surrounded me, lipping and snuffling and bumping my hands in a not-so-subtle quest for petting and scratching. Even though I knew they were equines, for a moment I almost believed I was in midst of a group of loving but long-eared dogs.

When you meet your first Miniature Donkey, you're likely to get the same enthusiastic greeting. Dan and Carol Greenfield, the owners of Dinkie Donkies in Webster, Florida, say that these animals have a huge capacity for affection that belies their modest size.

“Donkeys can relate to love. They understand emotion and, unlike a horse, they will love you in the same way a dog does,” says Carol.

Dan adds, “They each have their own distinct personality and will love you in their own special way.”

Dan and Carol Greenfield welcome visitors at Dinkie Donkies.
They are located at 12679 SE 50th Street in Webster, Florida.
Give them a call at 352-603-3878 or visit them online at www.dinkie-donkies.com

Soon they had purchased a new spread and their herd was expanding. Currently they have 23 Miniature Donkeys and a thriving business. Their farm, Dinkie Donkies, offers sales, stud service, and guidance and information for owners. Their Jack, Merle Haggard Jr., is known for his excellent bloodlines, but he's also gained a different kind of fame. There is a banner on the front fence proclaiming “Home of Sire Merle Haggard Jr.”

Passersby sometimes miss the word “sire” and stop in hoping to meet the country music legend and get his autograph.

“There was one lady we just couldn't convince,” laughs Dan, “even though I kept telling her that Merle Haggard didn't live here. She kept asking if he was away in Nashville and said that she was going to come back with her friends.”

Dan and Carol also have three full-sized mules, which they lovingly describe as “lawn ornaments.” Two were given to them by a woman with cancer who later passed away, and one was a rescue from a distress sale. “Now they're with us for life,” says Dan.


Mediterranean Roots
Miniature Donkeys have a long history, and the pampered pets at Dinkie Donkies lead a much different life than their ancestors. Their roots lie several thousand miles from Florida, all the way across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Because of this, they are sometimes known as Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys or Sardinian Donkeys.

Life in their native land was rough, as they earned their keep by hauling supplies and water into the mountains or walking endless circles to turn a grain grinding stone.

In the 1920s, New York stockbroker Robert Green was the first person to bring them into the United States. Their importation continued until the 1960s. Green said of the little animals, "They possess the affectionate nature of a Newfoundland, the resignation of a cow, the durability of a mule, the courage of a tiger, and an intellectual capability only slightly inferior to man's." The Greenfields strongly agree with this assessment, especially the Miniature Donkeys' intelligence. “Unlike horses, they can think through a situation instead of just spooking or fleeing,” says Carol. “They go through a multi-step reasoning process to figure things out.” The original donkeys imported from the islands were between 32 and 38 inches in height, with most of the first herd measuring 35 to 37 inches.

Today's Miniature Donkey is generally between 31 and 35 inches tall, and confirmation should equal that of a well-built full sized donkey.

While some breeders strive for the tiniest animal possible, Don believes that it's safest to aim for 31 to 32 inches.
“With anything smaller, you run the risk of breeding complications,” he says.


In Your Own Backyard
Although estimates vary, there are likely about 50,000 Miniature Donkeys in the United States today. Unlike their hardworking forebears, they are usually purchased as pets since their affectionate nature makes them ideal companions for children.

Some do become workers, pulling carts or acting as guardians for other herd animals. Their bravery and protectiveness makes them effective guards against coyotes. The highest quality donkeys often have a successful career on the show circuit. As Dan describes it, “They do everything that horses do in a show, but they do it on a lead rope. They walk, trot and canter, and they're also judged on color and confirmation.” All of the Greenfield's donkeys are registered with either the International Miniature Donkey Registry Inc. or the Miniature Donkey Registry, and they encourage buyers to register their babies. This preserves records of the donkeys' bloodlines and also makes them eligible to show.

Dan Greenfield enjoys a moment with Merle Haggard Jr. his miniature jack.

This herd at Green-field Farm displays an array of coat colors.

A young donkey rests peacefully in the sun.