Bourbonnais Donkey
A French pack and draught donkey from the Bourbonnais region.
The Bourbonnais Donkey is a French breed of domestic donkey originating from the historic region of the Bourbonnais, roughly corresponding to the modern département of Allier in central France. It was historically used as a pack animal, for hauling barges, and to pull light gigs. The breed received official recognition from the French ministry of agriculture in 2002.
Quick Facts
- Country
- France
- Distribution
- Bourbonnais
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Jacks measure a certain height, while jennies are slightly smaller or up to a certain amount more.
- The coat is chocolate brown, bay or dark bay, with a darker dorsal stripe and shoulder stripe; legs may show zebra-striping.
- In the early twentieth century it was used to pull light gigs for visitors to the spa at Vichy.
History
The earliest records of donkeys in the Bourbonnais date from 1862. By the early twentieth century numbers had grown, but by the 1970s the population had fallen to about 500. When the Association de l'Ane Bourbonnais formed in 1994, it identified barely 50 animals. The breed was officially recognized in October 2002 by the Ministère de l'Agriculture and the Haras Nationaux. In 2014 almost 200 animals were registered, and 328 were reported to DAD-IS for 2022. The 2025 conservation status is 'at risk/critical-maintained'.
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