Donkey Breeds in Europe - Safeguard for Agricultural Varieties in ...

were crossed with Onagers in order to breed stronger and larger draught animals
for the machines of war.
In 2000BC donkeys began to spread into Europe, probably through the Etruscans.
The donkey arrived in Spain and Italy via Marroco. Both on the Iberian and the Appenine
peninsulas there are rock paintings to be found, dating from 2000BC, upon
which one can see donkeys in use as domesticated animals.
In Greece, mules and donkeys were used for many types of work: in agriculture,
transport and in the army. The importance of these animals differed from region to
region: in some places donkeys were carefully bred, in others the donkey was considered
a lowly animal and treated accordingly.
The Romans spread the donkey further into Europe during their campaign of conquest:
from Spain through to Hungary, to Germany and Great Britain. In most regions,
after the fall of the Roman Empire, they disappeared again. However, in the
Mediterranean olive and wine growing areas, the donkey remained an important
part of agriculture. Due to their surefootedness, donkeys were also used as pack
animals in mountainous areas. In Central Europe, the donkey was reintroduced in
the middle Ages by monks for use in farming, for merchants and craftsfolk, for the
supplying of castles and milling grains.
At the beginning of 1BC donkeys were also introduced into India, the Malaysian
archipelago, China and Mongolia. In the 16th century the Spanish introduced them
into the continent of South America.
Characteristics
In contrast to other domesticated animals, the donkey has seen no fundemental
changes in use or the development of the animal in its 7000 years of domestication.
Due to the differences in breeding, region, husbandry and climate conditions, many
physical differences can be found. Systematic breeds are rare. Often, even these
are not exactly defined, unlike the case of other livestock breeds.
Domesticated donkeys weigh between 80 and 480 kg, the withers height ranges
from 80 to 160 cm. They live on average 30 to 35 years, they can, however, live
significantly longer and can carry on working up to a great age. The number of
chromosomes is 62. To compare: horses have 64 chromosones, zebras 46 (Equus
grevy).
Sires are sexually mature at three years, mares at one year. The mating time runs
from April to July. Normally, the young are born after 12-13 month gestation.
Multiple births are rare.
Donkeys are most valued for their ease of care, resistence to disease and stamina.
They have few needs, are harmonious in character, perservering, patient and unflagging.
Exactly because of these qualities they have often found themselves
badly handled and tormented.
When donkeys are mistreated they become, not only stubborn, but they also bite.
This can remain the case even when a new owner treats them well. However, if a
donkey is well treated it becomes a trusty companion. Donkeys are “herd animals”
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