wheredonkeys may go the future of donkey breeds and breeding particularly in africa

WHEREWHEREDONKEYSDONKEYSMAY GOMAY GO

The future of donkey The future of donkey breeds and breeding breeds and breeding particularly in Africaparticularly in Africa

Geneticists report that there is Geneticists report that there is extremely low diversity within the extremely low diversity within the whole population of donkeys.whole population of donkeys.

The ancestral types to ALL of The ancestral types to ALL of today’s domestic donkeys both today’s domestic donkeys both seem to have existed in Africa, seem to have existed in Africa, where two sorts of wild ass still where two sorts of wild ass still exist, the Nubian and the Somali exist, the Nubian and the Somali ass, both ass, both Equus africanus Equus africanus africanus.africanus.

SO, WHAT BREEDS ARE THERE ?SO, WHAT BREEDS ARE THERE ?

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)

Note that most of the ‘breeds’ reflected Note that most of the ‘breeds’ reflected here are more strictly regarded as ‘types’, here are more strictly regarded as ‘types’, and they are very variable with regard to and they are very variable with regard to characteristicscharacteristics

§ Endangered or extinct

ª Used solely or mostly for mule breeding

AFRICA AND THE NEAR AFRICA AND THE NEAR EASTEAST

( including Turkey but not ( including Turkey but not Afghanistan )Afghanistan )

From which it will be seen that very few From which it will be seen that very few clearly-defined breeds can be identified, clearly-defined breeds can be identified,

except for the White Riding Ass historically except for the White Riding Ass historically bred for the nobility. The donkeys south of bred for the nobility. The donkeys south of

the Equator, i.e. in South Africa, were mostly the Equator, i.e. in South Africa, were mostly imported from Europe.imported from Europe.

AFRICA AND NEAR EAST

USUAL NAMES ACCEPTED SIZE (height at withers etc)

ACCEPTED COLOUR/S & MARKINGS

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS(physical)

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS(behavioural, incl.use)

ARABIAN WHITE ASS Large “refined, saddle type”

DAMASCUS SADDLE ASS

(see WHITE EGYPTIAN ASS)



Known since Biblical times and carefully bred: “originally called the White Damascus Ass and was the mount of kings”. Now used for anything.

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 “well known belongs to Maasai tribe, used for pack etc.”

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”.

AFRICA AND NEAR EAST (contd)





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

SENNAR ASSª Pale grey Good for riding

SOMALILAND DOMESTIC ASS

102cm “coarse, common” “ordinary work”

SOUTH AFRICAN small black, dun, brown, light gray

common

AFRICA AND NEAR EAST (contd)





SUDANESE RIDING DONKEY – SUB-BREED ATABAI

102cm-112cmmiddle sized

Grey, white, reddish or dark brown, often without cross.

SUDANESE RIDING DONKEY – SUB-BREED KASSALA

102cm-112cmlarger

Reddish, with cross

SUDANESE RIDING DONKEY – SUB-BREED MASSAWA

102cm-112cm almost white saddle asses

TURKISH ASS Small black or dun “sturdy”

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.

ASIAASIA

Original Asian types, now Original Asian types, now extinct, have left little or no extinct, have left little or no

genetic trace.genetic trace.

ASIA





ASIAN DONKEY “Small, some so small to be of miniature status”

dun “common”

ASIAN DONKEY Under 91 cm. Thick woolly coats “used for packing”

CENTRAL ASIAN DONKEY

Small mostly dark colours “ hardy, coarse”

KIANG 142cm Shorter ears, rounder foot

Wild – extinct [?]

KULAN 127cm Dark, “very marked broad” backstripe

Thick winter coat Wild – extinct [?]

KWANCHUNG ~142.25cm, over 300 kg

MAHRATTA “Very small” (61cm-91.5cm?)

ASIA (contd)





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

81.25cm-111.75cm.

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

EUROPEEUROPE(mostly southern Europe – although it (mostly southern Europe – although it

is to be noted that countries still is to be noted that countries still widely using donkeys, such as widely using donkeys, such as

Bulgaria, Croatia and Greece, are not Bulgaria, Croatia and Greece, are not reflected here. It is not known if they reflected here. It is not known if they

have established breeds.)have established breeds.)

EUROPE





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)





ANE NORMAND 110cm-125cm. Brown to mouse grey with dorsal stripe, underbelly grey/white, and no leg stripes.

Originally for farm transport and seaside resorts.

ASINARA 80cm-100cm. “Most are pure white and often have blue eyes” (albino ?)

popular for circuses.

BAUDET (As POITOU ?) (As POITOU ?) (As POITOU ?)

EUROPE (contd)





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)





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.

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)





GRAND NOIR DU BERRY

130cm (female) or 135cm-145cm

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…hindquarters either rounded or sloped... In silhouette, the donkey is very well proportioned.”

Bred for barge-pulling.

MAJORCA ASS§ 142.25cm-162.5cm (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)





MALLORCA/MALLORQUIN ASSª

125cm-135cm (female) 145cm-155cm (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, well-balanced conformation and refinement”.

“fiery disposition”

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”.

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)





PANTELLERIA§ 125-130 cm Blackish or dark bay

Coat short and shiny “with an oily touch”. Head “small and thin”

“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.”POITOUª 137cm-152.5cm

and upwardsBlack 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”.

EUROPE (contd)





PROVENCE DONKEY (also known as ARIES, CRAU, MIGRATION & SAVOIE)

120cm-133cm (male) and 117-130cm (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)





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)





ZAMARANO-LEONESª§

~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”.

THE AMERICAS THE AMERICAS

AND AUSTRALIAAND AUSTRALIAAll of these originated in European All of these originated in European

breeds, and Australian donkeys are not breeds, and Australian donkeys are not differentiated from the US Standard differentiated from the US Standard

‘large’ donkey – more of a type than a ‘large’ donkey – more of a type than a breed.breed.

SOUTH, CENTRAL, NORTH AMERICA AND AUSTRALIA





AUSETANOª Medium sized “from Catalonian blood”

AUSTRALIAN 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 MINIATURE

MEDITERRANEAN)

(otherwise as US MINIATURE MEDITERRANEAN)

(otherwise as US MINIATURE MEDITERRANEAN)

SOUTH, CENTRAL, NORTH AMERICA AND AUSTRALIA (contd)





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.”






NORTHEASTERN ASSª§

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.






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 101.6cm-122cm

“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

91.5cm-101.5cm

Both adult donkeys, 152Both adult donkeys, 152cm (Mammoth) meets 86cm cm (Mammoth) meets 86cm (Miniature)(Miniature)

THE VARIABILITY OF SIZETHE VARIABILITY OF SIZE

THE VARIABILITY OF COAT THE VARIABILITY OF COAT LENGTHLENGTH

A breed not even mentioned – white donkeys in A breed not even mentioned – white donkeys in AustriaAustria

COAT LENGTH (INCLUDING LONG MANE) COAT LENGTH (INCLUDING LONG MANE) AND AND COLOUR COLOUR

And this one was bred and lived in a hot climateAnd this one was bred and lived in a hot climate

ALL THE STRIPES ONE ALL THE STRIPES ONE CAN THINK OF !CAN THINK OF !

No, no zebra No, no zebra ancestry !ancestry !

NOT ONLY STRIPES NOT ONLY STRIPES AND BELLY COLOURS, AND BELLY COLOURS, AS WELL AS EYE AS WELL AS EYE RINGS AND PALE RINGS AND PALE MUZZLE ARE MUZZLE ARE COMMON, COMMON,

but smaller marks can but smaller marks can often be seen, often be seen, especially on African especially on African donkeys. In the donkeys. In the literature, only the literature, only the ‘collar button’ gets ‘collar button’ gets mentioned.mentioned.(Some of these are names I (Some of these are names I myself have allocated)myself have allocated)

In Africa, variations even In Africa, variations even among related donkeys among related donkeys (as these are) can be (as these are) can be suggestive of very suggestive of very diverse ancestrydiverse ancestry

That genetic study had some hard-working That genetic study had some hard-working contributors !contributors !

Donkeys are expected to work, Donkeys are expected to work, and work hard – that is what they and work hard – that is what they

are bred for,first and foremostare bred for,first and foremost

SO … WHAT SO … WHAT WORK SHOULD WORK SHOULD THEY BE BRED THEY BE BRED

FOR ?FOR ?

AND WHAT AND WHAT CHARACTERISTICCHARACTERISTIC

S WILL BE S WILL BE NEEDED ?NEEDED ?

CULTIVATIONCULTIVATIONPHYSICAL TRAITS: PHYSICAL TRAITS:

Strength, low consumption of Strength, low consumption of food and waterfood and water

BEHAVIOURABEHAVIOURAL TRAITS:L TRAITS:

Obedience, Obedience, teamwork, teamwork, ability to ability to walk in walk in straight linestraight line

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS:BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS:

Obedience, teamwork, Obedience, teamwork, ability to walk in straight ability to walk in straight line, calmness in the face line, calmness in the face of other traffic, patience of other traffic, patience to remain stationery in to remain stationery in harness for long periodsharness for long periods

PHYSICAL PHYSICAL TRAITS:TRAITS:

StrengthStrength

PULLINPULLINGG

CARTSCARTS

MOUNTAINEERINGMOUNTAINEERINGPHYSICAL TRAITS: PHYSICAL TRAITS: Strength, small sizeStrength, small size BEHAVIOURAL BEHAVIOURAL

TRAITS: TRAITS: Surefootedness, Surefootedness, ability to handle ability to handle gravity shifts in load, gravity shifts in load, recognition of recognition of pathways, realistic pathways, realistic perception of perception of dangers, ability to dangers, ability to turn or reverse turn or reverse within narrow within narrow confinesconfines

ON-FARM ON-FARM TASKSTASKSPHYSICAL TRAITS: PHYSICAL TRAITS:

Strength, low consumption of Strength, low consumption of food and waterfood and water

BEHAVIOURAL BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS: TRAITS: Obedience, Obedience, calmness in the calmness in the face of other face of other traffic, patience traffic, patience to remain to remain tethered or tethered or harnessed for harnessed for long periods.long periods.

FETCHING FETCHING WATERWATER

PHYSICAL TRAITS: PHYSICAL TRAITS: StrengthStrength

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS: BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS: Obedience, calmness in Obedience, calmness in the face of other traffic, the face of other traffic, patience to remain patience to remain tethered or harnessed tethered or harnessed for long periods (in for long periods (in short, as for pulling short, as for pulling carts).carts).

TOURISMTOURISMPHYSICAL TRAITS: PHYSICAL TRAITS: Strength, small Strength, small size, low consumption of food and size, low consumption of food and water water

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS: BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS: As for both cart-pulling and As for both cart-pulling and mountaineering, but also mountaineering, but also calmness in the presence of calmness in the presence of strange humans, especially strange humans, especially children children

THERAPYTHERAPY

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS: BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS: Calmness in the Calmness in the presence of strange presence of strange humans, especially humans, especially childrenchildren

LITERACYLITERACYPHYSICAL TRAITS: PHYSICAL TRAITS: StrengthStrength

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS: BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS: As for both cart-pulling and As for both cart-pulling and mountaineering, but also mountaineering, but also calmness in the presence of calmness in the presence of strange humans, especially strange humans, especially childrenchildren

BOXES LOADED WITH BOOKS

OR IN A CART, COMPLETE WITH VIDEOS AND PLAYER

DEALING DEALING WITH OTHER WITH OTHER ANIMALSANIMALSPHYSICAL TRAITS: PHYSICAL TRAITS: Speed ?Speed ? Large size ? Large size ? Resistance to tick infestationResistance to tick infestation

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS: BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS: Not too much aggressiveness, Not too much aggressiveness, calmness calmness

PERHAPS WE JUST PERHAPS WE JUST EXPECT TOO EXPECT TOO MUCH !MUCH !

One thing donkeys One thing donkeys cannot do (yet) cannot do (yet) is flyis fly

SO WHERE MAY DONKEYS GO ?SO WHERE MAY DONKEYS GO ?

Decorative and Decorative and showy ?showy ?(Then (Then maybe maybe we we should should indeed indeed think think of of breedsbreeds))

Or just very Or just very useful ?useful ?

Whatever Whatever we need, it we need, it is usually is usually DONKEYS DONKEYS and not and not particular particular breeds breeds that that provide itprovide it

Why interfere with Why interfere with something already so something already so good ?good ?

And has And has apparentapparently been ly been that way that way for more for more thanthan4000 4000 yearsyears

All the things your donkeys can do ·

Problems to be solved with

donkeys · How to make equipment for

donkeys · How to look after your donkeys

· What your donkeys are worth · How to earn money with your

donkeys ·

FACILITATION AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Peta A. Jones, MSc PhD

PO Box 414 TSHITANDANI/MAKHADO 0920 South Africa cell 083 686 7539 tel/fax 015 517 7011 e-mail [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]




wheredonkeys may go the future of donkey breeds and breeding particularly in africa

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