The shaggy Poitou donkey was once the secret engine of French agricultural prosperity.

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Renowned for their massive frames and iconic, matted coats, the Baudet du Poitou was historically bred for a singular purpose: creating the world's finest working mules. Once a status symbol for nobility, this rare breed nearly vanished in the twentieth century before a global rescue effort brought it back.

The Baudet du Poitou, originating in western France, is one of the largest donkey breeds in existence. Historically, these animals were not kept for their own labor but as sires for the Poitevin mule. In the mid-1800s, these mules were considered the strongest in France, with up to 50,000 bred annually. The donkeys themselves were prized for their distinctive long, shaggy hair, which formed natural locks known as cadenettes, and their impressive stature, with joints as large as those of carriage horses.

Breeding practices were once shrouded in secrecy and superstition. Breeders often kept jacks in unhygienic, closed-in stalls and followed misguided folk beliefs, such as starving pregnant mares to ensure the birth of more valuable male colts. They also withheld vital colostrum from newborns and prioritized breeding jacks to horse mares over other donkeys, leading to significant foal mortality. By 1977, the breed had collapsed to just 44 individuals worldwide, a decline driven by the mechanization of agriculture following World War II.

The modern survival of the Poitou is a testament to intensive conservation. Starting around 1980, French organizations like the Haras Nationaux launched genetic improvement programs and experimental farms. These efforts faced hurdles, including the fraudulent sale of crossbred animals as purebreds, which were worth ten times more. Today, the breed remains critical, with populations tracked through DNA testing and strict studbook registration. International cooperation, including pioneering artificial insemination and embryo transfer techniques, continues to support the genetic diversity of this historic breed.

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