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

HUNGARY
In Hungary research into population data of donkeys recently began. Results are
not available yet. Estimates show, that there are about 2'000 - 3’000 donkeys all
over the country. As historical investigations show, donkeys were existent since
more than 2000 years in the Carpathian basin. Nowadays donkeys are not included
in the list of autochthonous livestock of Hungary. There are no characteristic
treats, which could be identified for a distinct breed in the Hungarian donkey population.
Around 1900 at the Royal State Stud farm “Mezöhegyes” a Hungarian fallw
donkey were registered. In the 1950ies large size stallions were imported from
Italy. Nowasdays the “Hungarian fallow donkey occurs in several coulour variants.
Most common is a brown to brown-dark variant.
Already 1793 a white donkey was mentioned in literature. This “Rokkoko” or “Baroque”
donkeys were described as poorly pigmented spontaneous mutants. The
medium od large sized Baroque donkey is yellowish-white with a soft, fine fur. The
skin is pigmentless pink. The eyes are light blue. The hoofs are waxy and sometimes
striped (see also page 20).
The Association of Hungarian Donkey breeders was established recently. In this
association, about 150 donkeys are registered. The “common donkey” (Scrub donkey)
is of small and medium size, different shade of grey colour with eelstripe and
shoulders (cross).
Contact: Jozsef Ernst; Donáti-u 20-22; H- 1015 Budapest;
E-mail: ernstjoz@axelero.hu
Improved donkey: medium and big size, often dark
colour, without any specifications of colour or
stripes
Contact: Jozsef Ernst; Donáti-u 20-22; H- 1015
Budapest; E-mail: ernstjoz@axelero.hu
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