Just what is a goat? Goats, in the first place, are ruminants(see definitions below), just like deer and cattle. Even though goats are can thrive almost anywhere and are able to eat many things other animals can't digest, they absolutly DO NOT eat tin cans or clothes off the line, and cannot just be tethered out in a field and be expected to take care of themselves, because they won't. Goats are very curious, and like toddlers, they explore the world by putting everything in their mouths; which is probably how those myths got started. As for feeding, goats are not lawn mowers; they are opportunistic feeders, meaning that they will eat whatever plant life is availible, including roses, tree leaves and bark, grass and forest plants.But if they are producing anything, such as milk, as dairy goat would; or are in confinement, they require some grain, as well as high quality hay free choice. Another myth is that goats smell bad. This is not true, the does are perfectly odorless and the bucks only have that stink during the breeding season(Sep.-March) when they are trying to impress the girls! Also, many people think that if you turn your back on a goat, it will butt you. Exactly the opposite is true; any goat that butts has probably been abused and goats love the company of people any will try to be near you whenever possible. There are many different types of goats, with as many different uses as breeds, such as meat, fiber, dairy, working and just companion animals; but the only type I will be discussing here are dairy goats.
Dairy goats are, simply that, the same as dairy cattle; used throughout the world to produce wonderful, high-quality milk. In the USA, there are currently six recognized dairy breeds: the Alpine,the Nubian, the Toggenburg, the La Mancha, the Saanen and the Oberhasli. All appear to thrive equally well in every part of the country and possess high milking ability. There is little difference in the production records of these breeds, except that the Nubian rarely gives as much milk as the other four, though the milk averages higher in butterfat. Following are the descriptions and a little history of these breeds, so that you can decide which is the right one for you.
The Nubian is relativly large and has a proud and graceful appearance. The breed is of mixed origin and owes its distinctive features to the imported goats of India's Jumna Pari and Egypt's Zariby type. Crossing these with British dairy goats resulted in the Anglo-Nubian, which is the foundation of the U.S. Nubian breed. This is the most energetic of the dairy breeds. Distinguishing features are long, wide, pendulous (long and floppy) ears; convex roman nose; and short, sleek, hair. They are the only dairy breed with pendulous ears and may be any color-black, grey, cream, white, tan, brown, rich reddish brown etc. Common markings include lighter ears, facial and leg stripes, and trim on the muzzle,crown and/or underside. Also, this breed often has overall light or dark-colored spots or patches of any size. A mature doe should weigh at least 135 pounds; a buck, at least 170. This is my favorite breed, without a doubt. Nubians have such great personalities and quirks!
The La Mancha was developed recently in this country from a short-eared Spanish breed crossed with leading purebreds. They are the calmest of the dairy breeds and can withstand a great deal of hardship and still produce milk. They may be any color and are distinguished by their external ears, which are either absent or very short. If ears are present, the must be one of two types: gopher, having a maximum length of 1 inch; or elf, having a maximum length of 2 inches, and turning up or down on the end. The gopher ear is the only type allowed for bucks, if they are to be registered. Hair is short, fine, and glossy, and faces are straight. Any color or combination of colors is acceptable. A mature doe should weigh at least 130 pounds; a buck, at least 160.
The remaining 4 breeds are very closely related, similar in conformation and are often refered to as the " Swiss Type". Toggenburgs, Saanens and Oberhaslis came originally from the Swiss Alps, while the ALPINE (also called the French Alpine) is originally from the French Alps.
The Toggenburg is from the Toggenburg Valley in Switzerland. They are of medium size, sturdy and vigorous. Their hair is short to medium in length - soft, fine and flat lying. Color vairies from light fawn to dark chocolate to lavender, with distinct white markings - white ears with dark spot in the middle; two white stripes down the face from above each eye to the muzzle; hind legs white from hocks to hooves; forelegs white from knees downward with dark lien (band) below knee acceptable; a white triangle on either side of the tail; white spot may be present at root of wattles or in that area if no wattles are present. Varying degrees of cream markings instead of pure white acceptable, but not desirable. The ears are erect and carried forward. Facial lines may be straight or dished, never Roman. A mature doe should weigh at least 120 pounds; a buck, at least 150.
The Saanen dairy goat originated in Switzerland and is of medium to large size with rugged bone and plenty of vigor. They are generally considered to have the highest milk production of all the dairy breeds. Does should be feminine, and not coarse. The majority of Saanens are pure white to light cream, with the former prefered, and with any other color, such as dark cream to fawn or black or even white with dark spots in hair; only just recently being recognized as a new variety: a Sable; although as of yet, Sables cannot be registered. Spots on the skin are not discriminated against. The hair should be short and fine, although a fringe over the spine and thighs is often present. Ears are erect and alertly carried, preferably pointing forward. The face should be either dished or straight, not Roman. A mature doe should not weigh less than 135 pounds; a buck, not less than 170.
The Oberhasli is the oldest "Swiss" breed. They are of a medium size, vigorous and alert in appearance. Their color is chamoisee, (shamwhazay) which is desribed as bay: ranging from light to a deep red-brown, with the latter most desirable. A few white hairs through the coat and about the ears are permitted. Markings are as follows: two black stripes down the face from above each eye to a black muzzle; forehead nearly all black; black stripes from the base of each ear coming to a point just back of the poll and continuing along the back as a dorsal stripe to the tail; a black belly and light gray to black udder; black legs below the knees and hocks; ears black inside and bay outside. Does also may be solid black. The face is straight and the ears are erect. A mature doe should weigh at least 120 pounds; a buck, at least 150.
The Alpine (French Alpine) is native to the Alps of France. This medium to large size animal is alertly graceful and is the only breed with upright ears that offers all colors and combinations of colors, giving them distinction and individuality. There are, however, a few recognized color patterns and they are as described below:
Cou Blanc - (coo blanck) literally "white neck" - white front quarters and black hindquarters with black or gray markings on the head.
Cou Clair - (coo clair) literally "clear neck" - front quarters are tan, saffron, off-white, or shading to gray with black hindquarters.
Cou Noir - (coo nwah) literally "black neck" - black front quarters and white hindquarters.
Sundgau - (sundgow) black with white markings such as underbody, facial stripes, etc.
Pied - spotted or mottled.
Chamoisee - (shamwhazay) brown or bay - characteristic markings are black face or dark markings on head, black dorsal stripe, feet and legs, and sometimes a martingale running over the withers and down to the chest.
Two-Tone Chamoisee - light front quarters with brown or gray hindquarters. This is not a cou blanc or cou clair as these terms are reserved for animals with black hindquarters.
Broken Chamoisse - a solid chamoisee broken with another color by being splashed, banded etc.
Any variation in the above patterns broken with white is described as a broken pattern such as a broken cou blanc.
Alpines are hardy, adaptable animals that thrive in any climate while maintaining good health and excellent production. The hair is medium to short and the face is straight. A Roman nose, Toggenburg colors and markings, and all white coloring are not acceptable. A mature doe should not weigh less than 135 pounds; a buck, not less than 170.
Now that you have some idea of what breed you might consider getting, here is a list of common dairy goat terms:
This page is not yet finished; I will be adding more on getting started with your goat soon, as well as how to recognize good dairy goat type.