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Cotentin Donkey

Cotentin Donkey

The Cotentin Donkey or Âne du Cotentin is a French breed of domestic donkey from the Cotentin peninsula, in the département of la Manche, in the Lower Normandy Region of north-west France. It is found mostly in that region, but is distributed through much of north-western France. It was in the past used as a pack animal in agricultural work, mainly for carrying milk churns; it is now used in leisure sports and tourism. The breed was recognised by the Ministère de l'Agriculture, the French ministry of agriculture, in 1997. The stud-book is kept by the Association de l'âne du Cotentin, an association of breeders.

Life Span 25-30 years
Weight 180-450 kg

What to Know Before Buying a Cotentin Donkey

Finding a responsible Cotentin 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 Cotentin 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 Cotentin 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 a Cotentin Donkey breeder?

Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.

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