What breed of goat is right for you?
There is no "best breed", that's why you have to look for a breed whose characteristics best suit you. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but serves as a short introduction to some of the more popular goat breeds.
If you own a breed that is not listed here, contact me at [email protected] and send me pictures! I'd love to add it to this page.
Pictures are all used with permission. If no farm name is listed, I used my own pictures.
If you own a breed that is not listed here, contact me at [email protected] and send me pictures! I'd love to add it to this page.
Pictures are all used with permission. If no farm name is listed, I used my own pictures.
~Nigerian Dwarf goat~
Miniature dairy breed
The Nigerian Dwarf goat is a miniature dairy goat. Their milk is the richest of all the breeds. Due to their small size they are easy and economical to handle and raise. They are popular pets since they are about one third the size of a standard goat. They are generally sweet and spunky creatures, intelligent enough to be clicker trained.
Nigerian Dwarves can be bred to produce an impressive amount of milk for their size, often up to a half gallon a day. However, if production is what you want, be sure to buy from a "milky line" as some Nigerians will only produce what their kids need. Their teats, especially those of a first freshener, can be a challenge to get your hand around, but they grow larger with age. For this reason many breeders also focus on breeding does with larger teats.
Two of the major goat registries, ADGA and AGS, allow Nigerian Dwarves a straight or "dished" face, not a roman nose. They can be any color combination, and some have blue eyes. If Nigerian Dwarves go "over height" they can still be bred, but may be disqualified from shows and linear appraisal.
Nigerian Dwarves can be bred to produce an impressive amount of milk for their size, often up to a half gallon a day. However, if production is what you want, be sure to buy from a "milky line" as some Nigerians will only produce what their kids need. Their teats, especially those of a first freshener, can be a challenge to get your hand around, but they grow larger with age. For this reason many breeders also focus on breeding does with larger teats.
Two of the major goat registries, ADGA and AGS, allow Nigerian Dwarves a straight or "dished" face, not a roman nose. They can be any color combination, and some have blue eyes. If Nigerian Dwarves go "over height" they can still be bred, but may be disqualified from shows and linear appraisal.
Nigerian Dwarf does
Nigerian Dwarf bucks
Nigerian Dwarf kids
~Lamancha~
Standard dairy breed
The Lamancha is known as a breed that is people-oriented, laid back, and very goofy. They thrive on routine. They are a dairy breed that balances production with creamy milk, which often makes them a preferred breed for cheese production.
Their main physical trademark are their tiny ears. The Lamancha buck should have no point to his ear at all, which is called a "gopher ear", and the lamancha doe is allowed both gopher ears, or "elf ears" up to two inches of ear length. Lamanchas can be any color combination, but must have brown eyes. A roman nose is not acceptable when registering Lamanchas.
Due to the Lamancha's production, cute ears, and fun personalities, they are popular to breed together with Nigerian Dwarves to produce "Miniature Lamanchas". Miniature Lamanchas are between the size of a Lamancha and a Nigerian Dwarf, with production that is lower than a standard Lamancha, but higher than a Nigerian Dwarf. Miniature Lamanchas are fighting to be recognized as an official breed, but for now are considered a mixed breed and have their own registries.
Their main physical trademark are their tiny ears. The Lamancha buck should have no point to his ear at all, which is called a "gopher ear", and the lamancha doe is allowed both gopher ears, or "elf ears" up to two inches of ear length. Lamanchas can be any color combination, but must have brown eyes. A roman nose is not acceptable when registering Lamanchas.
Due to the Lamancha's production, cute ears, and fun personalities, they are popular to breed together with Nigerian Dwarves to produce "Miniature Lamanchas". Miniature Lamanchas are between the size of a Lamancha and a Nigerian Dwarf, with production that is lower than a standard Lamancha, but higher than a Nigerian Dwarf. Miniature Lamanchas are fighting to be recognized as an official breed, but for now are considered a mixed breed and have their own registries.
Lamancha does
Pictures courtesy of J.O.Y Farm.
Lamancha bucks
Pictures courtesy of J.O.Y Farm.
Lamancha kids
Pictures courtesy of J.O.Y Farm.
~Saanen~
Standard dairy breed
Saanen goats are super milkers, known as the "Jersey cow" of the goat world. Their milk is not as rich as some of the other dairy breeds, but they produce large quantities of it. Saanens are very common in commercial dairies. They are known to be docile and quiet goats. They are a large to medium breed and should be sturdy and large-boned.
They are allowed a straight or "dished" face. Saanens are always white, or white with small black freckles. A Saanen with any other coloration is not considered a Saanen, but rather, a Sable.
They are allowed a straight or "dished" face. Saanens are always white, or white with small black freckles. A Saanen with any other coloration is not considered a Saanen, but rather, a Sable.
~Nubian~
Standard dairy breed
Nubians are very distinctive for their roman noses and long ears. They have the second richest goat milk, next to the Nigerian Dwarf. They are not usually the heaviest producing breed, due to the richness of their milk, and their origin as a dual-purpose milk and meat goat. Breeders often feel their rich, creamy milk makes up for production, as rich milk is sweet.
Nubians can be vocal goats, who love to chat, and can have a loud "bellow". This also depends on personality and their herd of origin, since some breeders breed for quiet Nubians. They are allowed to be any color combination, but must have brown eyes. Like the Lamancha, Nubians are a popular choice to breed together with Nigerian Dwarves - producing the "Mini Nubian".
Nubians can be vocal goats, who love to chat, and can have a loud "bellow". This also depends on personality and their herd of origin, since some breeders breed for quiet Nubians. They are allowed to be any color combination, but must have brown eyes. Like the Lamancha, Nubians are a popular choice to breed together with Nigerian Dwarves - producing the "Mini Nubian".
Nubian does
Pictures courtesy of J.O.Y Farm.
Nubian Kids
Pictures courtesy of J.O.Y Farm.
~Oberhasli~
Dairy breed
The Oberhasli are a well behaved goat, which makes them good for showmanship classes. They are also one of the oldest breeds. They were once considered an Alpine, and the breed almost disappeared. Gladly the Oberhasli is making a comeback.
A young breeder I talked to explained that the Oberhasli was his favorite breed due to their quiet and soft personalities.
The does are allowed to be pure black, or dark chamoisee; while the bucks are only allowed the dark chamoisee coloration.
A young breeder I talked to explained that the Oberhasli was his favorite breed due to their quiet and soft personalities.
The does are allowed to be pure black, or dark chamoisee; while the bucks are only allowed the dark chamoisee coloration.
~Alpine~
Standard dairy breed
Alpines are a regal and beautiful breed. Alpines are intelligent goats, and make good pets. Around their fellow goats, they are known to be dominate, and when mixed with other goat breeds, an Alpine may be more likely to rise to the top of the chain of command. Apines are a high producing breed, and specifically known for their long lactations, and their ability to "milk through", or skip a breeding season and still produce enough milk to make milking them worthwhile.
Alpines are allowed the Cou Blanc, Cou Clair, Cou Noir, Sundgau, Pied, Chamoisee, two-tone Chamoisee, and broken chamoisee colorations. Brown eyes only.
Alpines are allowed the Cou Blanc, Cou Clair, Cou Noir, Sundgau, Pied, Chamoisee, two-tone Chamoisee, and broken chamoisee colorations. Brown eyes only.
Alpine Does
Pictures courtesy of Little Bits N' Pieces Dairy Goats
Alpine Bucks
Pictures courtesy of Little Bits N' Pieces Dairy Goats
Alpine Kids
Pictures courtesy of Little Bits N' Pieces Dairy Goats
~Pygmy~
Miniature meat breed
Pygmies and Nigerian Dwarves originated from the same miniature goat breed, and later branched off to produce a meat breed, and a milk breed. Pygmy goats are now mainly used as pets due to their manageable size and sweet, spunky personalities. They are especially popular in petting zoos.
Pygmies are small, fluffy, and stocky. Because of their lovely downy coat, they are sometimes mixed with Angora goats to create what is known as the "Pygora", a small fiber breed.
Due to their conformation, Pygmies can sometimes have more difficulty kidding than the other goat breeds. However, these instances can be greatly reduced through proper diet and selective breeding. Be sure to buy from a breeder who does not breed for too much of a short body and steep rump, which can attribute to the difficult kiddings.
Pygmies can be black, agouti, or caramel. They must have brown eyes to be registered.
Pygmies are small, fluffy, and stocky. Because of their lovely downy coat, they are sometimes mixed with Angora goats to create what is known as the "Pygora", a small fiber breed.
Due to their conformation, Pygmies can sometimes have more difficulty kidding than the other goat breeds. However, these instances can be greatly reduced through proper diet and selective breeding. Be sure to buy from a breeder who does not breed for too much of a short body and steep rump, which can attribute to the difficult kiddings.
Pygmies can be black, agouti, or caramel. They must have brown eyes to be registered.
Pygmy does
Pictures courtesy of "City Lights Pygmy Goats".
Pygmy bucks
Pictures courtesy of "City Lights Pygmy Goats".
Pygmy kids
Pictures courtesy of "City Lights Pygmy Goats".
~Boer~
Meat breed
The Boer goat is a very popular meat breed. They grow slower than some other meat breeds, but grow to a large size. This breed originated from South America.
Traditionally They have a red head and "cape" around their neck, and their bodies are white. Some breeders have started breeding "painted" Boers of different color combinations. Commercial meat breeders often mix the boer goat with other breeds to combine the superior size of the boer with faster growth rates.
Boer goats are very popular as 4-H goat projects, especially for kids who raise market wethers for a season, then sell it at a special auction, or harvest it. They are very chunky, teddy-bearish goats with laid-back personalities.
Traditionally They have a red head and "cape" around their neck, and their bodies are white. Some breeders have started breeding "painted" Boers of different color combinations. Commercial meat breeders often mix the boer goat with other breeds to combine the superior size of the boer with faster growth rates.
Boer goats are very popular as 4-H goat projects, especially for kids who raise market wethers for a season, then sell it at a special auction, or harvest it. They are very chunky, teddy-bearish goats with laid-back personalities.