American mammoth donkey
The American Mammoth Jackstock is a breed of North American donkey, descended from large donkeys imported to the United States from about 1785. George Washington, with Henry Clay and others, bred for a large donkey that could be mated with horses to produce strong work mules. Washington was offering his jacks for stud service by 1788, while large donkeys were found in Kentucky by 1800. Breeds that influenced the Mammoth Jack include the Maltese, the Baudet du Poitou, the Andalusian, the Majorcan and the Catalan. Measured from the ground to the withers, jacks (intact males) must stand at least 14 hands (56 inches, 142 cm), and jennies or jennets (females) at least 13.2 hands (54 inches, 137 cm) in order to be classified as mammoth size. The American Mammoth Jackstock Registry has more stringent requirements: minimum 14 hands and 7.5” cannon bone circumference for jennets and geldings; minimum 14.2 hands and 8” cannon bone circumference for jacks; 61” heart girth in all cases The largest living mammoth donkey, at 17 hands (68 inches, 173 cm), resides in Adrian, Michigan.
| Life Span | 25-30 years |
| Weight | 180-450 kg |
What to Know Before Buying an American mammoth donkey
Finding a responsible American mammoth donkey breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells donkeys commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the American mammoth donkey. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding American mammoth donkeys appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for an American mammoth donkey breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
Search USDA Breeders
