Baudet du Poitou
A large French donkey breed known for its long coat.
The Baudet du Poitou, also called the Poitevin or Poitou, is a French breed of donkey originating in the former province of Poitou in western France. It is among the largest of donkey breeds and has a distinctive long coat that traditionally was left to hang in ungroomed locks or cadenettes.
- origin
- Poitou, France
- minimum height (jacks)
- 1.40 m (55 in)
- minimum height (jennies)
- 1.35 m (53 in)
- population (1977)
- 44 head
- primary use
- Mule breeding
Lore & Background
The exact origins of the Poitou breed are unknown, but donkeys and their use in mule breeding may have been introduced to the Poitou region by the Roman Empire. The Baudet de Poitou and the Mulassière horse breed were developed together for producing superior mules. In the Middle Ages, owning a Poitou donkey may have been a status symbol among local nobility.
Reader's Guide
The breed's legacy includes its use in creating the American Mammoth Jack and ongoing preservation through artificial insemination and cryopreservation.
Did You Know?
- The word 'baudet' means 'donkey sire' in French.
- The breed's ears sometimes become so large that their weight causes them to be carried horizontally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Baudet du Poitou visually distinctive?
The breed is celebrated for its exceptionally long, heavy coat, which was traditionally left untrimmed so it hung in thick, tangled locks known as cadenettes.
What was the Baudet du Poitou historically bred for?
Rather than serving as working animals themselves, these donkeys were primarily valued as breeding stock, with jacks crossed to local mares to produce the much-sought-after Poitevin mules for agricultural labor.
How big is a Baudet du Poitou?
It ranks among the largest donkey breeds, with jacks standing at a minimum of 1.40 metres (55 in) and jennies at 1.35 metres (53 in) at the withers.
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