Baudet du Poitou
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 are in France; others are in Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
| Life Span | 25-30 years |
| Weight | 180-450 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Baudet du Poitou
Finding a responsible Baudet du Poitou 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 Baudet du Poitou. 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 Baudet du Poitous 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.
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Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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