[2]: 234 The Turchessa is one of the forty-four autochthonous local sheep breeds of limited distribution officially recognised by the Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali, the Italian ministry of agriculture.
[4] A herd-book is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep-breeders.
[2]: 295 In 2007 the total number for the breed was reported as 4;[5] in the same year the FAO classified its conservation status as "critical".
A small number are kept by the Consorzio per la Sperimentazione, Divulgazione e Applicazione di Biotecniche Innovative of Benevento.
[2]: 295 The Turchessa is hardy, frugal, and well adapted to the poor pasture of its mountain environment.