When buying a donkey for the first time there are a few things you need to consider:

• Will you have the time to interact with it, because they will need quite a lot of attention to be happy?
• Do you have the space to properly house the donkey as donkeys require a fairly large paddock of at least 2 acres?
• Are you prepared to exercise your donkey regularly as they easily put on weight and are you ok with loud braying because a lone donkey will probably bray for a companion at any hour of the day or night?
• Will you be able to have a companion for the donkey to interact with? (if you cannot for some reason, acquire another donkey than sheep, pigs and goats will suffice.)  

Once these points are considered, than you have to select if you would like a gelding or a jenny? Jennies are preferred for their peaceful temperament and nature.

Gelded jacks are also suitable, but if you have a choice of a jenny or a gelded jack, then it is advised to select the jenny.

Ungelded jacks should at all times be avoided because of their somewhat nasty and stubborn attitude and the fact that they will endlessly call for a jenny.

Ungelded jacks are only to be purchased for breeding purposes as they are generally dangerous as they may kick out at unpredicted times.