Baudet du Poitou

Common card · No. 435841

The Baudet du Poitou, also called the Poitevin or Poitou, is a French breed of donkey, it originates in – and is named for – the former province of Poitou in western France. It is among the largest of donkey breeds, and has a distinctive long coat, which traditionally was left to hang in ungroomed locks or cadenettes. It was recognised by the Haras Nationaux, the French national stud, in 1884. The Baudet was traditionally used only for breeding mules – the word baudet means "donkey sire"; jacks (donkey stallions) were bred to Poitevin mares to produce Poitevin mules, which were formerly in great demand for agricultural and other work. The increasing mechanization of agriculture and transport in the twentieth century caused a sharp decline in numbers of the breed, which by 1977 had fallen to forty-four head. Conservation efforts by the Haras Nationaux and other organisations began in about 1980, and by 2005 the total number in France had reached some 450 head. Approximately 70% of the donkeys...

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