Donkeys are intelligent and learn quickly. A male donkey is called a Jack, and a female donkey is called a Jennet or Jenny. Although donkeys have the reputation of being stubborn, the fact is that they tend to stop and think before acting.

Donkeys naturally love people and make gentle, affectionate pets. Donkeys have many uses, including predator control for livestock, riding and driving for the disabled, farm and recreational work, companionship to people and other animals, parades, shows or displays, and mule production. More can be found about these wonderful animals by visiting the Canadian Donkey and Mule Association.

There are different sizes of Donkeys, from the Miniature to the Mammoth. According the the CDMA, the sizes are classified as:

Miniature - 36" and under (less than 9 hands)
Small Standard - over 36" to 48" (9 - 12 hands)
Large Standard (Jennet) - over 48" to under 54" (12 - 13.5 hands)
Large Standard (Jack) - over 48" to under 56" (12 - 14 hands)
Mammoth (Jennet) - over 54" (>13.5 hands)
Mammoth (Jack) - over 56" (>14 hands)

We have chosen to raise the Small Standard Donkey and it has turned out to be a bit of a challenge to find CDMA registered Small Standard breeding stock. The Standards used to be the most common size of donkey available, but now it seems that they have lost favour to the Miniatures. It is particularly hard to find a registered Jack.

We purchased our first Small Standard Donkey from Keith Kendrew of Rimbey Alberta. We were lucky that he was willing to part with one of his donkeys... a black jenny named "Opal". We were looking for a quiet, unflappable pet and that is what we got. Opal has been used to drive and to pack, to give rides to children, and to be an ambassador for the breed.

Opal is 17 years young and has many more good years left in her. Donkeys live longer than horses, averaging 30 - 50 years in age. We will have lots of time to enjoy this wonderful jenny... she truly is a pet.

KKK Opal
C-CDJE-1078-

About a month after bringing Opal home, she presented us with a jack foal on August 9, 2008. He is spotted, like his sire, and will likely end up black with white spots. He will be registered with the Canadian Donkey & Mule Association as a 50% purebred donkey, as his sire was unregistered. We call him "Fred"

Opal with her newborn foal

Opal's newborn foal

Fred's bald face

Fred showing off his spots

Here are some pictures of Opal that were taken while she was still owned by Keith and Lil Kendrew.

Opal in 2003

Opal driving in 2003

Opal giving kid's rides in 2004

Opal packing in 2006