Goat Breeds

Spanish

This breed has a straight or dished face with medium-lengthed, horizontal, or slightly drooping ears held close to the face. Any color combination is acceptable. Most of these goats are horned, and bucks can develop remarkable racks. Does are fertile breeders. The udder tends to be smaller and held more tightly against the body than that of their dairy cousins.

Oberhasli

This breed of dairy goats originated in Switzerland. These goats have a black belly and a light gray to black udder. They are known for their upright ears, straight black face, and chamoisee color. With a minimum height of 28 inches, this breed is one of the smaller Swiss breeds.

Boer

This breed originated around the late 1950s and is characterized by excellent early growth rates, high weaning rates, and early maturity. These goats have exceptional mothering qualities and kidding is possible every eight months. Their sturdy legs allow them to move easily through rugged terrain and to withstand a wide range of climatic conditions. They are best known for the production of low-fat meat.

Alpine

This breed originated in France. These goats have upright ears, a straight face, and medium to short hair. All coat color combinations are acceptable. They are medium to large (30 inches or more), and alert and graceful.

Angora

This breed originated in the Himalaya Mountains of Asia. It is one of the smallest goat breeds. They have a straight or concave nose; pendulous ears; and large twisted horns. They are commonly white. Their long, upper coat of mohair is a fine and lustrous fiber. They are primarily browsing animals.

Pygmy

This dwarf breed originated in Africa and the Caribbean. They are short-legged and small (16-22 inches), with a compact body. Their various coats are white caramel, caramel, gray agouti, black agouti and charcoal agouti. The head has a dish profile and a broad, well-muscled jaw. These goats are hardy and alert.

Nubian

This goat breed originated in India and Egypt. They have a strong convex facial profile and long, bell-shaped ears. Any color or pattern is acceptable. These goats have a long breeding cycle, and their milk is known for its high protein and butterfat content.

LaMancha

This is the only breed developed in the United States. Its distinctive characteristic is gopher (less than 1 inch) or elf (less than 2 inches) ears. Gopher ears are preferred. Any coat color or combination is acceptable. Mature does are a minimum of 28 inches; mature bucks are a minimum of 30 inches.

Toggenburg

This medium sized breed originated in Switzerland. These goats have upright ears and a dished or straight face. Their coat is a solid color, varying from light fawn to dark chocolate. There are distinctive white markings on the ears, legs, face, and tail. These goats are known for their high milk productivity.

Saanen

This sturdy-bonded breed originated in Switzerland. Their hair is short and fine. Although white is preferred, coat color can also be light cream. Their face is straight or dished with erect ears. These goats are medium (over 30 inches) and known for high milk productivity.