Baudet du Poitou

This donkey is thought to be the oldest and most rare “purebred” donkey in the world.

This particular breed is best known for its striking features which seem out of proportion for an animal of its kind. The Poitou sports an unusually large head with oversized ears which the animal is often unable to hold upright. The breed’s most extraordinary feature, however, is its heavy, tangled coat, which by adulthood can reach the ground. Breeding records for the Baudet du Poitou date as far back as 1700. Originating in the Poitou region of western France, the breed received unusual treatment for an animal usually considered a “beast of burden.” Breeders often brought their Poitous to donkey shows in carts instead of making them walk or pull the cart. The Poitou is cherished by its French breeders for its superiority in mule production. Mules resulting from the cross between a Poitou and a Cheval Mulassier, a French horse breed, were considered the best work mules in the world. During World War I over 30,000 mules per year were produced to pull cannons and supplies. After World War II and the rise in automobiles and mechanized farming the demand for top-quality mules, and therefore Poitous, plummeted. Today the Poitou serves as a companion animal to breeders concerned for the survival of this unique donkey breed.