Baudet du Poitou

Baudet du Poitou

Year-old jenny foal
Conservation status	FAO (2007): endangered[1]: 139
Other names	Baudet de Poitou Poitou Donkey Poitevin Donkey Poitou Ass[2]
Country of origin	France
Distribution	world-wide
Standard	Haras Nationaux (in French)
Use	siring mules
Traits
Height	Male: 135–156 cm[3]: 41  Female: average 140 cm[3]: 41
Coat	dark bay
Donkey Equus asinus

The Baudet du Poitou, also called the Poitevin or Poitou donkey, is a French breed of donkey. It is one of the largest breeds, and jacks (donkey stallions) were bred to mares of the Poitevin horse breed to produce Poitevin mules, which were formerly in worldwide demand for agricultural and other work. The Baudet has a distinctive coat, which hangs in long, ungroomed locks or cadenettes.

The Baudet developed in the former province of Poitou, possibly from donkeys introduced to the area by the Romans. They may have been a status symbol during the Middle Ages, and by the early 18th century, their physical characteristics had been established. A studbook for the breed was established in France in 1884, and the 19th and early 20th centuries saw them being used for the production of mules throughout Europe. During this same time, Poitou bloodlines were also used to develop other donkey breeds, including the American Mammoth Jack in the United States.

Increasing mechanization in the mid-20th century saw a decline in the need for, and hence population of, the breed, and by 1977, a survey found only 44 members worldwide. Conservation efforts were begun by a number of public and private breeders and organizations, and by 2005 there were 450 purebred Poitou donkeys.