The English & Irish Donkey is also known as a "Moke" by Welsh Gypsies, a "Cuddy" by the Scots, and a "Neddy" by Brits. "Donkey" is actually the more common name that English-speaking people have for "Asses." It's original derivation came from the older English words "Dun" (referring to it's color) and "ky," (a diminutive meaning small). Since most donkeys are pony-sized overseas, the animal became known as the "Dunky" ~ the small dun-colored animal.

In Ireland, most donkeys are kept as pets rather than as working animals, although they often exhibited at shows in-hand, driven, or ridden by children. In some remote parts of Western Ireland, occasionally you might see a donkey ploughing a field, pulling milk to the creamery, or carrying turf from a bog field. Quite efficient keepers, they worked hard and still required less feed than horses. At the peak of their popularity in the second half of the 19th century, there were an estimated thousands of working donkeys in Ireland alone.

Donkeys originated from desert areas, therefore requiring less food and water than its similarly sized cousin, the horse. Another trait that sets the two apart is the donkey's very loud bray (voice) that can carry for miles. Although usually associated more with stubborness, Donkeys are actually highly intelligent, as well as patient and sure-footed. This is one reason why they are often used as pack animals. Donkeys can live as many as 60 years, although they rarely exceed 40. Male donkeys can still be somewhat aggressive and so gelding (castration) is somewhat desirable. Donkeys are also quite social animals and should not be removed from their dam until they are full-grown.

English and Irish Donkeys average between 10 and 14 hands. They appear in a variety of colors including black, white, and shades of gray and brown. These donkeys have very large ears which enable them to hear their fellows braying from far away.

Ironically, both the English & Irish Donkey are NOT native to Britain, but rather are descended from donkeys that were brought to the British Isles several hundred years ago. Donkeys are believed to have been domesticated somewhere between 4000 and 3000 BC, originally in Egypt and Mesopotamia. In Australia, the English & Irish Donkey Society was founded in 1976. They established a Stud Book to maintain purity of the breed. The Irish Donkey Society was formed in 1974 with the aim of raising the status of the donkey in Ireland as well as maintaining the donkey as an integral part of the farming community.

For more information, contact:

The Donkey Breed Society
Edenbridge, Kent
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1732 864414
email: carol@morse.freeserve.co.uk
website: www.donkeybreedsociety.co.uk/

(This Page last updated: February 15, 2002)