Of the eight breeds recognised by the French National Stud, the Norman donkey is the smallest of the bunch. It also has a St Andrew’s cross on its back, although it is less visible for its dark-brown hued coat even with its grey-white muzzle. Brigitte Pieau, the owner of the Domaine d’Esthine, focused on breeding the Norman’s neighbour, the Cotentin donkey. The two Norman breeds are still threatened with extinction, as they number less than a hundred females.