WHERE
DONKEYS
MAY GO
The future of donkey
breeds and breeding
particularly in Africa
Geneticists report that there is
extremely low diversity within the
whole population of donkeys.
The ancestral types to ALL of today’s
domestic donkeys both seem to have
existed in Africa, where two sorts of
wild ass still exist, the Nubian and the
Somali ass, both Equus africanus
africanus.
SO, WHAT BREEDS ARE THERE ?
Note that most of the ‘breeds’ reflected here
are more strictly regarded as ‘types’, and they
are very variable with regard to characteristics
§ Endangered or extinct
ª Used solely or mostly for mule breeding
Linear measurements represent height at withers, unless otherwise specified; where
necessary these have been converted into cm from US inches or ‘hands’
(1 hand = 4 inches; 1”( inch) = 2.54 cm, thus 1 hand = 10.16 cm)
AFRICA AND THE NEAR EAST
( including Turkey but not
Afghanistan )
From which it will be seen that very few clearlydefined breeds can be identified, except for the
White Riding Ass historically bred for the nobility.
The donkeys south of the Equator, i.e. in South
Africa, were mostly imported from Europe.
AFRICA AND NEAR EAST
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED SIZE
(height at withers
etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
ARABIAN WHITE ASS
Large
DAMASCUS SADDLE
ASS
(see WHITE
EGYPTIAN ASS)
(see WHITE
EGYPTIAN ASS)
(see WHITE EGYPTIAN
ASS)
EAST AFRICAN
DONKEY
102cm or less
Grey, brown or
reddish
“poor confirmation,
hardy”
ISRAEL LOCAL BREED
102cm-142.25cM
Grey, black, brown
“no careful breeding”
MAASAI DONKEY
Small
dun
MOROCCAN ASS
91cm-122cm
Light gray with
“pronounced dark
stripes and striping
on legs”.
MUSCAT DONKEY/
RIDING DONKEY
122cm-142.25cm
Silver grey “which
tends to look white
against the black skin
of ageing animals”.
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
“refined, saddle type”
Known since Biblical times
and carefully bred:
“originally called the White
Damascus Ass and was the
mount of kings”. Now used
for anything.
“well known belongs to
Maasai tribe, used for pack
etc.”
AFRICA AND NEAR EAST (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED SIZE
(height at withers etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
NATIVE ETHIOPIAN
Small
dun to black
“heavy head, roman nose”
pack animals
NIGERIAN ASS
Small
dun
“ordinary”
NUBIAN ASS
122cm
Grey, summer coat
reddish; cross short or
thin, no leg stripes
Wild
SOMALI ASS
142.25cm
Grey, summer coat
yellowish. No cross,
but very prominent leg
stripes
Wild
Pale grey
Good for riding
SENNAR ASSª
SOMALILAND
DOMESTIC ASS
102cm
SOUTH AFRICAN
small
“coarse, common”
black, dun, brown,
light gray
common
“ordinary work”
AFRICA AND NEAR EAST (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED SIZE
(height at withers
etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
SUDANESE RIDING
DONKEY – SUB-BREED
ATABAI
102cm-112cm
middle sized
Grey, white, reddish or
dark brown, often
without cross.
SUDANESE RIDING
DONKEY – SUB-BREED
KASSALA
102cm-112cm
larger
Reddish, with cross
SUDANESE RIDING
DONKEY – SUB-BREED
MASSAWA
102cm-112cm
almost white
TURKISH ASS
Small
black or dun
SYRIAN WILD ASS
Under 102 cm
No shoulder stripe
Wild – extinct [?]
WHITE EGYPTIAN BALADI of lower Egypt
122cm-142.25cm
White or grey
Known since Biblical times
and carefully bred:
“originally called the White
Damascus Ass and was the
mount of kings”. Now used
for anything.
WHITE EGYPTIAN HASSAWI
122cm-142.25cm
White or grey
The common saddle animal
WHITE EGYPTIAN SAIDI of Upper Egypt
122cm-142.25cm
White or grey
Known since Biblical times
and carefully bred:
“originally called the White
Damascus Ass and was the
mount of kings”. Now used
for anything.
saddle asses
“sturdy”
ASIA
Original Asian types, now extinct,
have left little or no genetic trace.
ASIA
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED SIZE
(height at withers
etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
ASIAN DONKEY
“Small, some so
small to be of
miniature status”
dun
“common”
ASIAN DONKEY
Under 91 cm.
CENTRAL ASIAN
DONKEY
Small
KIANG
142cm
KULAN
127cm
KWANCHUNG
~142.25cm, over
300 kg
MAHRATTA
“Very small”
(61cm-91.5cm?)
Thick woolly coats
mostly dark colours
Dark, “very marked
broad” backstripe
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
“used for packing”
“ hardy, coarse”
Shorter ears, rounder
foot
Wild – extinct [?]
Thick winter coat
Wild – extinct [?]
ASIA (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED SIZE
(height at withers
etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
NORTH CHINA
INDIGENOUS
132cm
Dark brown and
reddish chestnut
.
PAKISTAN DONKEY
Small
dun
“common”
PURGOSH ASS
122cm
Reddish brown
“excessive amount of
long hair”
“Some are used for
sturdy saddle animals”
SADDLE TYPE
DONKEY – LARGER
112cm-142.25cm
White or grey, no
cross
finer hair but bushy
mane and tail, smaller
head
“saddle type”
SADDLE TYPE
DONKEY – SMALLER
81.25cm111.75cm.
Dark grey with cross
“small body, large wide
head, long ears”
SHANTUNG ASSª
132cm
Almost black with
light points
SUIMI
122cm-142.25cm,
over 200 kg
EUROPE
(mostly southern Europe – although it is to
be noted that countries still widely using
donkeys, such as Bulgaria, Croatia and
Greece, are not reflected here. It is not
known if they have established breeds.)
EUROPE
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED
SIZE (height at
withers etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
AMIATA
135cm-138cm.
Mouse-grey with
dark cross on
back, and leg
stripes.
strong
lively
ANDALUSIAN/
ANDALUCIAN ASS
135cm-150cm
(female)
145cm-158cm
(male).
White-grey or
dapple-grey roan
hair short and fine.
Conformation
“large and rangy
…large, firm bones
and good quality
bone in the legs…
Head is impressive,
with roman noses,
very large ears, all
on a muscular neck”
and is “carried well
forward, giving the
impression of
energy”.
“very graceful and
fine movement and
quiet disposition”.
EUROPE (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED
SIZE (height at
withers etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
ANE NORMAND
110cm-125cm.
Brown to mouse
grey with dorsal
stripe, underbelly
grey/white, and no
leg stripes.
ASINARA
80cm-100cm.
“Most are pure
white and often
have blue eyes”
(albino ?)
popular for circuses.
BAUDET
(As POITOU ?)
(As POITOU ?)
(As POITOU ?)
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
Originally for farm
transport and seaside
resorts.
EUROPE (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED
SIZE (height at
withers etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
CATALONIAN/
CATALAN ASS§
135cm-148cm
(female)
145cm-160cm
(male)
Glossy black to
dark grape;
silver white
underbelly, tip of
nose and around
eyes, reddish or
chestnut at edge
of white, also
sometimes on
ears, & a short
fringe of fine
reddish hair
around eyes.
Conformation “gives
it a graceful and
long silhouette … a
heavy head with a
wide face and big,
wide eyes …back …
relatively long with
strong muscular
loins. The breast is
wide and deep”.
This breed shows a
good deal of
refinement about the
bone and head”.
great style and action,
“an admirable
temperament”,
during the 19th
century many
animals were
exported around the
world to improve
donkey breeds and
produce mules.
COTENTIN
115cm-130cm
(female),
120cm-135cm
(male)
Ash grey, blue
grey or dove grey
with white
underbelly,
defined cross and
sometimes leg
stripes.
EUROPE (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED
SIZE (height at
withers etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
CYPRIOT/CYPRUS
ASSª
11.75cm-122
cm
dark
“long legged, strong
and well developed”
GASCON OR
PYRENEES
DONKEYª
120cm and
above
Shiny black,
shaded black,
dark brown or
chestnut. Almost
white around
eyes, base of
nose, inside thigh
and belly.
Coat fluffy up to 2
years.
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
In 19th cent. used for
milk production as
well as draft, and
described as trotting
“just as quickly as a
horse pulling two
people in a two
wheeled cart and
which can work just
as well as the heavy
draught horses while
costing a lot less to
feed” and “credited
as being the best
adapted form of
transport for rough
terrain and an
indispensable part of
the agriculture of
mountainous slopes”,
but now only
tourism.
EUROPE (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED
SIZE (height at
withers etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
GRAND NOIR DU
BERRY
130cm (female)
or 135cm145cm
Single-colour bay
to dark brown to
black, except for
grey/white muzzle
and eye surround
(each of which can
be edged with
red), belly,
shoulders and
inside thighs. No
stripes or cross.
Neck “strong … back
straight…hindquarte
rs either rounded or
sloped... In silhouette,
the donkey is very
well proportioned.”
Bred for barge-pulling.
MAJORCA ASS§
142.25cm162.5cm (males)
usually black
“with
correspondingly large
bodies and bone”.
Coat “more harsh
than silky or glossy”.
Head large with very
long ears.
Bred for draft but
“with no real style or
appearance in action
but … very powerful
with a rather sluggish
disposition”
EUROPE (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED SIZE
(height at withers
etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
MALLORCA/
MALLORQUIN ASSª
125cm-135cm
(female) 145cm155cm (male)
Usually black to
dark grape,
white/grey shading
around nostrils,
under mouth,
around eyes and on
underbelly.
Large head, broad
hoof and smaller and
finer boned than the
CATALONIAN.
MALTESE ASS
147cm max.
Black or dark
brown
“slender with good
bone with very large,
hard hooves. . but they
have “style, wellbalanced conformation
and refinement”.
MARTINA FRANCAª
145cm-150cm
Black or dark bay
with light points
“well formed bone
structure, short
straight back, short
croup and strong
joints, heavy head with
large long ears”.
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
“fiery disposition”
It is “known for its
exceptional hardiness
and strength” living in
Apulia in conditions
which have led “the
breed to withstand
extremes of
temperature and
produce very hardy
foals”.
EUROPE (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED
SIZE (height at
withers etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
PANTELLERIA§
125-130 cm
Blackish or dark
bay
Coat short and shiny
“with an oily touch”.
Head “small and
thin”
POITOUª
137cm-152.5cm
and upwards
Black or dark
brown. No
backstripe or
cross.
Extremely long silky
coat, long mane and
well-haired tail. Very
large ears “full of
hair, the head was
coarse and Roman
nosed with a
drooping lower lip
…huge feet, very
heavy large bone and
good muscling”.
“a very graceful action
and is … lively but
nervous”. Widely
sought after for circus
use, they “had
extraordinary stamina
enabling them to
maintain a speed of
14½ km per hour,
pulling light loads for
several hours. In the
past races were held at
which donkeys
reached 24 km per
hour.”
EUROPE (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED
SIZE (height at
withers etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
PROVENCE
DONKEY (also known
as ARIES, CRAU,
MIGRATION &
SAVOIE)
120cm-133cm
(male) and 117130cm (female)
Dove grey varying
from light to dark
with often a hint of
red or brown,
white around the
eyes and muzzle.
Dark, well-defined
cross, forehead,
ears and edge of
eyes and muzzle
“almost always
have a brown/red
tint”. Limbs may
be marked with
black zebra stripes
“and there is often
at least one
diagonal stripe on
the front hocks”.
Hardy, with solid
bone structure, head
“well set on neck …
The foot is quite large
for a donkey. The
back is straight,
flanks are large and
hindquarters solid.”
Originally bred by
shepherds for seasonal
movement with flocks,
“well able to carry
heavy loads, with a
docile temperament
and good legs to cover
the migratory routes
… calm, patient, easy
to saddle, to put to
harness or to ride. He
is very sure footed even
on rough ground.”
EUROPE (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED
SIZE (height at
withers etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
RAGUSA/
RAGUSIAN OR
SICILIANª§
135cm-138 cm
(female)
140cm-145cm
(male),
around 350 kg
Dark bay with
light points,
lighter brown
underside
Head “strong and
compact … well set
on neck, good barrel
and straight back,
well proportioned
legs with small, neat
and supple joints,,
small feet with
strong, high hoofs for
mountain travel.”
“mostly mountain
pack asses”. Used to
breed war mules
“fondly remembered
for their patience and
good temperament”
and this breed noted
for “its sure-footedness
on any terrain …still
used for riding”
ROMAGNOLOª
Large
SARDINIAN§
85cm-115cm,
90-130 kg
Grey with white
underbelly, and
distinct cross on
back
“solid legs and is
very robust”.
Used by shepherds for
carrying goods,
produce and firewood
and “known for its
patience and gentle
manner”, although in
some parts of Sardinia
“donkey meat was
considered to be a
particular delicacy”.
Life expectancy 30-35
years.
EUROPE (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED
SIZE (height at
withers etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
ZAMARANOLEONESª§
~141cm
(female)
151cm-157cm
(male)
350 kg
Usually black or
brown
“do not have much
style but are heavy
boned and strong
bodied” with “a
large head and
powerful neck with
ears that tend to fall
to the front or side”.
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
THE AMERICAS
AND AUSTRALIA
All of these originated in European breeds,
and Australian donkeys are not differentiated
from the US Standard ‘large’ donkey – more
of a type than a breed.
SOUTH, CENTRAL, NORTH AMERICA AND AUSTRALIA
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED
SIZE (height at
withers etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
AUSETANOª
Medium sized
AUSTRALIAN
See US
STANDARD
LARGE
DONKEY
See US
STANDARD
LARGE DONKEY
See US STANDARD
LARGE DONKEY
BRAZILIAN ASS
122cm.
Many colours
“good conformation”
CLASS B
(OVERSIZED)
MINIATURE
91.5cm-96.5cm
(otherwise as US
(otherwise as US
MINIATURE
MEDITERRANEAN)
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
“from Catalonian
blood”
MINIATURE
MEDITERRANEAN)
See US STANDARD
LARGE DONKEY
(otherwise as US
MINIATURE
MEDITERRANEAN)
SOUTH, CENTRAL, NORTH AMERICA AND AUSTRALIA (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED SIZE
(height at withers
etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
MAMMOTH
JACKSTOCKª
137cm (female),
142.25cm (male,
which must also
measure 19cm
around cannon
bone below
knee), heartgirth
at least 147cm
(female) 152.5cm
(male)
Mostly black, but
many shades of red
Coat fine and glossy, “head
should be well shaped,
carried alertly and well
balanced. The ears should
be long, well set and carried
erect. The eye should be
large and open and face
straight with only a slight
roman nose. The animal
should have alertness and
style in its manner and
gaits”. Also: “The topline
should be straight and
strong. They should be
short-coupled and smooth
over the hips, carrying a
long, well-muscled croup.
The shoulders should be
well sloped, chest wide and
deep and the ribs deep and
well-sprung to give depth
and capacity to the middle.
Heavy muscling should be
evidenced … also through
the chest, forearm and
gaskin. The set and quality
of the legs is important and
should be as nearly correct
as possible. The bone and
joints should be large but
clean and flat. The feet
should be deep, round and
large and show
considerable evidence of
good wearing qualities.”
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
SOUTH, CENTRAL, NORTH AMERICA AND AUSTRALIA (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED
SIZE (height at
withers etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural,
incl.use)
PEGA ASS
white or light
grey, some
cream
body fine and
muscular, limbs
long, strong bones,
sloping pasterns,
“Graceful … a gaited
Ass”.
SPOTTED ASS
‘Pinto’ pattern,
including blaze
and sock,
overlaying any
of the base
colours, and
“looks to the eye
as if the donkey
were a white
animal with
dark spots” but
can also be
‘tyger-spotted’
with light spots
on dark.
NORTHEASTERN
ASSª§
SOUTH, CENTRAL, NORTH AMERICA AND AUSTRALIA (contd)
USUAL NAMES
ACCEPTED
SIZE (height at
withers etc)
ACCEPTED
COLOUR/S &
MARKINGS
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(physical)
OTHER
CHARACTERISTICS
(behavioural, incl.use)
US MINIATURE
MEDITERRANEAN
(developed in US
from Sicilian and
Sardinian stock)
91.44 cm or
less
Full range of
donkey colours,
with backstripe
and cross
Conformation as for
draft: “leg bones
large in relation to
size, ribs well
sprung, chest wide,
heart girth deep”.
Life expectancy 30-35
years.
US STANDARD
101.6cm122cm
“a rainbow of
colours”
“a variety of
conformation”
US STANDARD
LARGE
122cm-137cm
(female)
142.25 cm
(male)
Any colour
Any body type,
“from the lighter
saddle-type to the
heavier Mammoth”
US STANDARD
SMALL
91.5cm101.5cm
THE VARIABILITY OF SIZE
Both adult donkeys, 152cm (Mammoth) meets 86cm (Miniature)
THE VARIABILITY OF COAT LENGTH
A breed not even mentioned – white donkeys in Austria
COAT LENGTH (INCLUDING LONG MANE) AND COLOUR
And this one was bred and lived in a hot climate
ALL THE STRIPES ONE
CAN THINK OF !
No, no zebra
ancestry !
NOT ONLY STRIPES
AND BELLY COLOURS,
AS WELL AS EYE
RINGS AND PALE
MUZZLE ARE COMMON,
but smaller marks can
often be seen, especially
on African donkeys. In
the literature, only the
‘collar button’ gets
mentioned.
(Some of these are names I myself
have allocated)
In Africa, variations even
among related donkeys (as
these are) can be suggestive
of very diverse ancestry
That genetic study had some hard-working contributors !
Donkeys are expected to work, and
work hard – that is what they are
bred for,first and foremost
SO … WHAT WORK
SHOULD THEY BE
BRED FOR ?
AND WHAT
CHARACTERISTICS
WILL BE NEEDED ?
CULTIVATION
PHYSICAL TRAITS:
Strength, low consumption of food
and water
BEHAVIOURAL
TRAITS:
Obedience,
teamwork,
ability to walk
in straight line
PULLING
CARTS
BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS:
Obedience, teamwork, ability
to walk in straight line,
calmness in the face of other
traffic, patience to remain
stationery in harness for long
periods
PHYSICAL
TRAITS:
Strength
MOUNTAINEERING
PHYSICAL TRAITS:
Strength, small size
BEHAVIOURAL
TRAITS:
Surefootedness, ability
to handle gravity shifts
in load, recognition of
pathways, realistic
perception of dangers,
ability to turn or
reverse within narrow
confines
ON-FARM TASKS
PHYSICAL TRAITS:
Strength, low consumption of food and
water
BEHAVIOURAL
TRAITS:
Obedience,
calmness in the
face of other
traffic, patience
to remain tethered
or harnessed for
long periods.
FETCHING
WATER
PHYSICAL TRAITS:
Strength
BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS:
Obedience, calmness in the
face of other traffic,
patience to remain
tethered or harnessed for
long periods (in short, as
for pulling carts).
TOURISM
PHYSICAL TRAITS: Strength, small
size, low consumption of food and water
BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS:
As for both cart-pulling and
mountaineering, but also calmness
in the presence of strange
humans, especially children
THERAPY
BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS:
Calmness in the presence
of strange humans,
especially children
LITERACY
BOXES LOADED
WITH BOOKS
PHYSICAL TRAITS: Strength
BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS:
As for both cart-pulling and
mountaineering, but also calmness
in the presence of strange
humans, especially children
OR IN A CART, COMPLETE WITH
VIDEOS AND PLAYER
DEALING
WITH OTHER
ANIMALS
PHYSICAL TRAITS:
Speed ? Large size ? Resistance to
tick infestation
BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS:
Not too much aggressiveness,
calmness
PERHAPS WE JUST
EXPECT TOO MUCH !
One thing donkeys
cannot do (yet)
is fly
SO WHERE MAY DONKEYS GO ?
Decorative and showy ?
(Then
maybe
we
should
indeed
think of
breeds)
Or just very useful ?
Whatever
we need, it
is usually
DONKEYS
and not
particular
breeds that
provide it
Why interfere with something
already so good ?
And has
apparently
been that
way for
more than
4000
years
FACILITATION AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES

 All the things your donkeys can do ·
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

Peta A. Jones, MSc PhD
PO Box 414 TSHITANDANI/MAKHADO 0920 South Africa
cell 083 686 7539 tel/fax 015 517 7011 e-mail asstute@lantic.net