There are basically two types of goats: dairy goats and meat goats. Despite this, there are still over 300 breeds to choose from, running the gamut in terms of appearance. This includes a wide variety of heritage breeds: previously popular breeds that were replaced by more commercially viable varieties, but which are still well suited to small farm production.
Depending on the breed, a goat may stand as short as 16 inches to as tall as 35 inches. Weight-wise, they can run from 22 pounds to 300 pounds for does and 27 pounds to 350 pounds for bucks, while life expectancy averages 8 to 12 years, although some animals have lived longer.
Both does and bucks can have horns, beards (the common term for the hair coming down from the chin, just like a beard), and wattles. Wattles are growths of hair-covered skin that hang on either side of the neck of the goat. There are usually two, but there can be only one. As of yet, no specific reason has been found for a goat to have wattles, so some owners will choose to remove them when the goat is young, usually by cleanly snipping them off.
Many owners will choose to remove wattles.
Unlike cattle, whose horns are actually made of keratin (like a human fingernail) with a bone center, the horn of the goat is composed entirely of live bone. Also unlike cattle, both bucks and does have horns. Although this will be discussed further in Chapter 6, it is common practice among goat owners to disbud (removing the little horn bumps) from dairy goats at a very, very early age. However, some goat owners are getting away from this practice. The removal of the horn is called polling. And while some animals, like cattle, may be born polled, this is rare in goats. This would also be a good time to mention that goats may have accidents in which a horn (or two) can be broken. If it looks like an injured or damaged horn will need attention, contact your veterinarian, as you are dealing with live bone.
A goat’s udders are the source of milk, both for its kids and its owners.
Does will also have udders, just like a dairy cow, save for the fact that a goat will have two teats. Like the cow, the udder holds the milk for the kid and, in the case of the dairy goat, for milking.
These traits run true through all the goat breeds; however, meat-specific types will not have the exact same traits in the area of the udder, as meat-specifics are bred for meat and not for milking. Let’s now look at the various types of goats individually, along with examples of each breed.
Dairy goats are built and bred for milk production. Virtually any breed of dairy goat will supply you with all the milk you’ll need; therefore, when selecting your goats, choose not only for your needs, but also for your likes. In other words, pick a breed or individual animal that appeals to you. You will be working with these animals daily, so it is important that you enjoy what you have. You should also keep in mind that in order for does to produce milk, they usually must be bred yearly. So you will either need enough room to keep the future kids or have the foresight to plan out what you are going to do with the kids once they are ready to leave.
In the following descriptions, the term butterfat will be used. Butterfat, also known as milk fat, is the fatty part of the milk that gives goat milk its sweet flavor and also affects the texture. It is additionally the chief component in goat’s milk butter. You will also notice milk being discussed in pounds (weight), not liquid measurements. This is for accuracy and ease in keeping milk records. Keep in mind that approximately 8.2 to 8.5 pounds of milk equals one gallon.
In the United States, the most common dairy breeds are:
• Toggenburg
• Nubian
• La Mancha
• Saanen
• Sable
• Oberhasli (heritage breed)
• Alpine
• Nigerian Dwarf (heritage breed)
The oldest known breed of dairy goat, the Toggenburg was developed 300 years ago, originating in the Toggenburg Valley of Switzerland. A medium-size goat, the bucks range from 150 to 200 pounds and 34 to 38 inches high, while does run 125 pounds and up and 30 to 32 inches high. Although it is not uncommon to be able to milk the Toggenburg doe without having to rebreed each year (up to twenty months is not uncommon), its milk is low in butterfat, usually having only 2 to 3 percent.
Toggenburgs also make good pack and work animals (castrated males or wethers usually provide this service).
Probably one of the most famous Toggenburg owners and advocates was Lillian Sandburg, wife of poet Carl Sandburg.
Also known as Anglo Nubian, this is an English breed developed during the time of the British empire. They are a cross between the old English Milch and other breeds, including Nubian bucks imported from Russia, India, and Egypt. They have long hanging ears and a convex nose.
The Nubian is a larger breed than the Toggenburg, with Nubian does running 135 pounds and 30 inches at the withers (which is the ridge between the shoulder blades) and bucks running 175 pounds and 32 inches at the withers. The Nubian is also fleshier than other dairy breeds, making the Nubian a good dual-purpose (milk and meat) goat as well.
Nubians are very intelligent, which unfortunately enables them to get into mischief easily. However, if you treat them well and give them proper food, water, housing, and attention, they will tend to behave.
Nubian milk is high in butterfat, having about 5 percent butterfat content. However, their overall milk production is lower than average. For those that live in cooler climates, the Nubian is good to 0°F.
The La Mancha, also commonly known as the American La Mancha, is the only breed developed in the United States, although it is not certain exactly which breeds were crossed to create the animal. The main trait that makes the La Mancha stand out is that the goat appears earless due to the ear flap being so tiny. This is also known as a gopher ear.
The La Mancha is a docile goat and has good udders. They are high-quantity milk producers, with does producing up to 1.5 gallons per day, depending on breeding. The milk is fairly high in butterfat at about 4 percent. Size-wise, does run a minimum of twenty-eight inches at the withers and around 130 pounds, while bucks run at least thirty inches and around 155 pounds.
The Saanen is the largest of the dairy goats, with does running upward of 150 pounds and bucks 200 pounds and up. Originating in the Saanen Valley in the south of Switzerland, the breed was imported to the United States sometime in the early twentieth century, after which subsequent importations came from England.
The Saanen is also called the “Holstein” of the goat world, with does producing about a gallon of milk per day, although their butterfat is low at only 2.5 to 3 percent. However, due to its excellent rate of milk production, calm personality, ease of keeping, and ability to adapt to its environment, the Saanen is a preferred breed for commercial dairies. Both males and females are white.
The Sable, or Sable Saanen, is basically a Saanen that is not white (which is caused by recessive genes). Colors include black, brown, gray, and some white, although a Sable cannot be totally white. Most traits, including those governing their value as dairy goats, are the same as Saanens; however their color makes them better suited for tropical climates than their white counterparts, which can contract skin cancers due to their light skin. The Sable was not recognized as a breed in its own right until 2005.
Also known as the Swiss Alpine, the Oberhasli is a very old breed and originated from the canton of Bern in Switzerland (the same as the Saanen).
The Oberhasli is known as a color breed. In order to conform properly to breed, the Oberhasli must be correctly colored in order to be registered. The color is called chamoisee, with the breed having a red bay with black head, legs, stomach, and dorsal (although does—and only does—may be all black).
The Oberhasli was first imported to the United States in 1906. Unfortunately the line was lost due to crossbreeding. However, in 1936, a new, pure line of four does and one buck was imported to the United States. As a result, all the Oberhasli in the United States today can be traced back to those five animals. The breed is still considered rare in the United States.
The Oberhasli is a decent-size goat, with does running 28 to 30 inches at the withers and 120 to 150 pounds, while bucks run 30 to 32 inches at the withers and 150 to 175 pounds.
The Oberhasli is a producer of sweet milk, with does averaging six to eight pounds of milk per day (up to a gallon) with 3.4 to 4 percent butterfat.
Also known as the French Alpine, this goat, as with all of the other European mountain goats, is thought to be a descendent of the Pashang or Bezoar Goat. A medium breed, the Alpine doe is approximately 30 inches at the withers and 135 pounds, while bucks will stand 34 to 40 inches at the withers and 170 pounds.
The Alpine is known for being a good milker, producing up to and over four pounds of milk per day at 3.5 percent butterfat. Due to its heavy milking and the fact that it is hearty and adaptable, the Alpine (like the Saanen) is a favorite commercial breed.
The Nigerian Dwarf is not only a dairy goat, but also a dwarf goat as well. Originating in west Africa, it is believed these little goats were originally brought on board ships to provide food for big exotic cats being shipped to the United States, with those goats that survived the trip going to live in zoos.
A perfectly proportioned miniature dairy goat, the Nigerian Dwarf comes in many colors. Recently popular as pets, they are gentle and trainable. As far as size, there are two schools of thought on this. The Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association states that the does should be 17 to 19 inches (21 inches at the most) at the withers, while bucks should be nineteen to 21 inches (and no more than 21 inches) at the withers. However, the American Goat Society says that the does should be less than 22 inches at the withers and bucks less than 23.5 inches at the withers.
The average weight of a Nigerian Dwarf is about seventy-five pounds. Their size makes them great for the urban, suburban, or city farm. Despite their small stature, Nigerian Dwarfs are excellent milk producers, producing anywhere from 1 to 8 pounds of milk per day at anywhere between 6 to 10 percent butterfat.
There are a few things besides size that differentiate the Nigerian Dwarf from its full-size counterparts. First, Nigerian Dwarf goats are not disbudded. In fact, having no horns goes against the confirmation requirements of the breed and will disqualify a goat from a show. And unlike the larger dairy breeds, the Nigerian Dwarf may be bred during any season, allowing the goat owner to stagger breeding so he/she never has to be without goats for milking.
It is worth noting that crossbreeding with the Nigerian Dwarf has also been used to “miniaturize” other dairy breeds.
Although any goat may be used for meat (even dwarf breeds, although they don’t produce a lot of meat), those goats bred specifically for meat use will be larger built and also bred for muscle and carcass development. In fact, many were dairy-type breeds, selectively bred to produce bigger, meatier, and/or faster-growing animals specifically for meat use.
Some of the more popular breeds (either meat specific or bred up for meat use) are:
• Boer (South African)
• Spanish Meat Goat
• Tennessee Meat Goat
• African Pygmy
Also called the South African Boer due to its South African roots, the Boer was developed specifically for meat use. Developed in South Africa in the 1900s, the breed was not introduced into the United States until 1993 to try to meet the demands of the growing goat-meat market. Its high growth rate and excellent muscle and carcass condition, along with excellent fertility, have made the Boer one of the most well-known meat breeds in the United States and world.
For the most part, bucks have very distinctive coloring, usually solid white with red or black heads. However, they may also be found in solid black, solid red, or pinto. Bucks can reach weights between 250 and 300 pounds, while does weigh anywhere from 150 to 250 pounds. Height-wise, it is considered a large breed, about the same height as the Saanen or Nubian dairy breeds. The Boers have a similar look to that of the Alpines, with large ears and convex noses; however, they have larger frames and are heavier boned.
It is interesting to note that the milk of the Boer is quite high in butterfat. However, due to the fact that their short legs make milking difficult and there is not usually enough milk left to bother with after the kids have finished, they have not yet been really considered for milking. Certain classes of Boers and dairy goats, such as Nubians, though, have gained popularity for producing a dual-purpose type of goat.
A Boer goat. Photo by just chaos under the Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0.
The Spanish Meat Goat is a descendent of the Spanish Goat, brought to the United States by the early Spanish settlers in the 1500s. The Spanish Meat Goat was later developed through selective breeding to produce the biggest and meatiest bucks possible.
The Spanish Goat/Spanish Meat Goat is also known as a brush or scrub goat, as it was used to clear away scrub. They are also known as briar goats in North and South Carolina, wood goats in Florida, and hill goats in Virginia.
From the 1800s onward, the Spanish Meat Goat was used by some for meat, but its primary use was in clearing scrub. This was true until the late 1980s, when the United States market for goat meat was growing, at which point the scrub-eating goats became meat goats. The Spanish Meat and Tennessee Meat Goats were then the only known meat goats in the United States until the introduction of the Boer Goat in the 1990s.
Eventually, ranchers and farmers began crossing the Spanish with the Boer. However, with each successive generation when the new offspring were bred, more and more Boer characteristics were appearing, while the hardiness and almost hands-off nature of the Spanish were disappearing. Not wanting to lose these characteristics that had made the Spanish so appealing to keep and raise, these farmers and ranchers went back to the drawing board and started to breed back by crossing Spanish does with Boer bucks.
Spanish Meat Goats have also been crossbred with Nubians, producing a better-size animal with improved milk production and meatier kids. However, this crossbreeding, as well as the changeover to Boers, led the Spanish Goat (the only goat known in the United States for 300 years) to become an endangered livestock species. The Spanish is now on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy’s conservation priority list.
Spanish Meat Goat bucks can run up to 250 pounds, while does run 100 to 125 pounds.
The Tennessee Meat Goat was actually originally produced from the Tennessee Fainting Goat, a breed known for its “fainting” trait when startled. In point of fact, fainting goats (of which there is only one breed) are myotonic, a condition that causes the muscles to stiffen and lock up, which in turn causes the animals to fall over, which is why they are also known as the Wooden Leg Goat. And although one would think this would be a detriment to the Tennessee Meat Goat, it is said that the myotonic condition may result in more tender meat and a higher ratio of meat to bone.
The Tennessee Meat Goat came about through the selective breeding of the Tennessee Fainting Goat, with farmers invariably selecting the larger, meatier animals for rebreeding.
The Tennessee Meat Goat is actually smaller than the average meat breed, having a wide body and short legs, but the breed is particularly meaty. The goat comes in a variety of colors, including black and white, all white, black, tan and white, and tan and roan.
The Tennessee Meat Goat is a hearty, fertile goat with a long breeding season. And as the goat is crossbred with another type (such as a Boer), the fainting or myotonic condition usually does not come up with the offspring.
The African Pygmy Goat is listed as a meat goat, although it is, for the most part, kept as a pet in the United States. However, regardless of whether it is being used for its meat or just as a pet, the African Pygmy is a very popular goat to own.
The African Pygmy Goat originated in the Cameroon Valley of west Africa, and was then imported to the United States from Europe, mostly for zoos and research. However, once these little goats were obtained by private breeders, they quickly became popular as pets.
The African Pygmy comes in a variety of colors. They are hardy and can easily adapt to their surroundings. They are friendly goats and, with patience, are trainable (even litter-box trainable). However, they can also be quite mischievous.
Because of their small stature, does can be anywhere from 53 to 75 pounds, and bucks can range from 60 to 85 pounds, with the heights for both at 16 to 23 inches at the withers. They are also a good choice for the urban, suburban, or city farm.
Unlike the full-size meat breeds, Pygmies can be milked, although their milk production isn’t like the Nigerian Dwarfs’, so they will produce less milk per milking. Also important to keep in mind is that the African Pygmy likes companionship, although the companion does not have to be another goat. My Pygmy Goat’s best friends are my Australian Shepherd and my blue-and-gold macaw. And as these small goats are prey animals, they need to be protected from predators, especially at night.
Fiber
A third use for which people raise goats is for their hair or fiber. The most well known of the fiber producing goats are the Angoras. First introduced into the United States in 1849, the fiber the Angora produces is known as mohair. The goats are shorn twice a year. In the United States, Texas is the major producer of mohair, and its production places third in the world.
Of course, there are many more types of goats in the world used for both meat and milk. This chapter covers only the most popular varieties and includes a few heritage breeds as well. When trying to select your goats, read about all the breeds that you are interested in. Talk to breeders and visit some farms if you can. Choose the breed best suited for your needs and situation. And although some, like the Angora, need some special care, basic care is the same for all goats. Hooves may need to be trimmed if there is nothing to help them naturally wear down, as well as an occasional ear cleaning and burr removal. As stated before, choose a breed or breeds that you will enjoy, as it will make owning the goats much more fun for both you and them!