Donkeys: AMERICAN MAMMOTH JACKSTOCK

History: The American Mammoth Jackstock Donkey (usually abbreviated to ‘Mammoth’) is one of the largest breeds of donkeys. They originated in the USA as part of the need to breed large, strong mules. In order to breed a high-quality mule, a high-quality donkey jack is needed, and to get high quality jacks high quality jennets are needed, hence the development of this donkey breed.

To obtain their breeding stock, donkeys were imported to the USA from Europe, most commonly from France, Spain, Italy, and the islands of the Mediterranean. Between 1885 – 1893, 800 – 1,000 donkeys were imported from that area to Nashville alone. 

Prior to the American War of Independence there was not much information on donkey breeding, however, soon after that was ended in 1785 donkey breeding took off. At the end of the War, the King of Spain presented General George Washington with a Spanish jack (named Royal Gift) and a jennet. General Lafayette also made a gift to General Washington of a fine jack (named Knight of Malta). When a French jack was bred to a Spanish jennet, the famous jack Compound was produced. The mules he sired sold for upwards of $200 each and this generated considerable interest in mule breeding.

The most notable imported jack of the early to mid-19th Century was Mammoth (sometimes known as Imported Mammoth). He was imported to the USA circa 1856 and considered to be the origin of the breed’s name. Accounts indicate that he was 16hh and heavy like a horse, with large feet and bone. He was said to be far superior to any other jacks at that time and has been credited with having improved the size and quality of the local donkey stock more than any other during his nine-year breeding career. Limestone Mammoth, a descendant of Mammoth is a good example of the Mammoth bloodlines. Other notable imports were Paragon, Knight Errant (imported around 1840), Barcelona, Midnights, Starlight and Black Prince. 

There was a bit of a hiatus during the American Civil War (1861 – 1865) and then donkey importation resumed. In about 1867 or 1868, AC Franklin and Major Craig of Tennessee imported a group of jacks from Catalonia in Spain. This group included Rifle and Laberdale. In 1868 Malta was imported from Malta by L W Knight. In 1882 Mr Lyle of Kentucky imported a group of jacks from Seville, Spain – a group that included Abran.  In 1882 another group came in from Cordova and Seville in Spain. This importation of donkeys from Andalusia, Catalonia, Majorca, Cordova, Leon, Cerdan, Italy continued throughout the second half of the 19th Century. Some inferior jacks were also imported from Mexico, and this was seen as a potential risk to the quality of breeding stock. In 1888 the official breed society, The American Jackstock Association was formed. 

So, from this it can be seen that the Mammoth breed was created from a mix of Catalonian, Andalusian, Maltese, Majorcan, Italian, Poitou bloodlines. All of these were big, strong breeds of donkey. Sadly, many of them are now extinct in their native lands. 

Breed traits: A very large donkey. Strength is seen, good bone, the purpose being a large powerful donkey not just height. Several colours, many being a handsome dark brown-black with the light pangare associated with donkeys. Blacks were once the preferred colour, being easy to match for teams. Spots and patches also seen. They should have a strong neck, good feet. Over 14 hands for jacks and over 13.2 hands for jennies, most are far bigger, up to 16 hands. The head should be well shaped and not too long or thick with wide set eyes and long, upright ears.

Uses: Riding, harness - draught work for farm and forestry.

Breed Organisation: Donkey All Breeds Association of Australia (DABSA), formed 1976. DABSA register Mammoth Jackstock and donkey breeds in Stud Books.
The American Mammoth Jackstock Association is the breed body in country of origin, founded 1888.

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