Goat Breeds and SelectionGoat Breeds and Selection

Capra hircus

Goat Breeds and Goat Breeds and SelectionSelectionOverviewOverview

Major Breeds of Goats Major Breeds of Goats (Dairy, Meat and Mohair)(Dairy, Meat and Mohair)

Dairy Goat Breeds

More people in the world drink goat milkthan cow milk, although in the US theopposite is true.

Goat milk is similar nutritionally to cowmilk, but it contains smaller fat globulesand as a consequence it is easier forsome people to digest and it does notrequire homogenization.

Major Breeds of GoatsMajor Breeds of GoatsAlpine (French Alps)Alpine (French Alps)

Medium to large sizedMedium to large sized only breed with upright earsonly breed with upright ears

all colors and combinations of colors.all colors and combinations of colors. Hair is medium to shortHair is medium to short

straight face with roman nose.straight face with roman nose.

Major Breeds GoatsMajor Breeds GoatsGolden Guernsey (Channel island: British)Golden Guernsey (Channel island: British)

color varies from cream to browncolor varies from cream to brown usually polledusually polled

lower in milk production than most Swiss breedslower in milk production than most Swiss breeds higher in butter fat and protein %higher in butter fat and protein %

Major Breeds of GoatsMajor Breeds of GoatsSaanenSaanen (Switzerland)(Switzerland)

Usually yields 3-4% milkfatUsually yields 3-4% milkfat medium to large in sizemedium to large in size white or light cream in color.white or light cream in color. Ears are erect and carried forward.Ears are erect and carried forward. Face straight or dishedFace straight or dished

• Are popular with dairies due to the quantity of milk they produce.

Major Breeds GoatsMajor Breeds GoatsNubian (Oriental)Nubian (Oriental)

Large framedLarge framed face being convex between the eyes and muzzleface being convex between the eyes and muzzle

ears are long, wide and pendulous. They flare out ears are long, wide and pendulous. They flare out in a bell shape.in a bell shape.

Any color or colors, solid or patternedAny color or colors, solid or patterned• Their milk tends to be higher in protein and

butter fat than other breeds.

Major Breeds GoatsMajor Breeds GoatsLaMancha (Oregon)LaMancha (Oregon)

Face is straight Face is straight Gopher ear - max one inch in length preferably non-existentGopher ear - max one inch in length preferably non-existent They have ears that are so small that it looks like they don't have ears

(no cartilage) Elf ear-max. length of two inches with tip being turned up or downElf ear-max. length of two inches with tip being turned up or down Any color or combination is acceptable.Any color or combination is acceptable. Hair is short, fine and glossyHair is short, fine and glossy high butterfathigh butterfat

Major Breeds of GoatsMajor Breeds of GoatsToggenburgToggenburg (Switzerland) (Switzerland)

Medium in sizeMedium in size Hair is short or medium in lengthHair is short or medium in length Ears are Erect and ForwardEars are Erect and Forward Face may be straight or dishedFace may be straight or dished Color is solid varying from light Color is solid varying from light

fawn to dark chocolatefawn to dark chocolate Distinct white markingsDistinct white markings

white ears with dark spot in white ears with dark spot in middlemiddle

two white stripes down face two white stripes down face from above each eyefrom above each eye

white legs below knee and hockwhite legs below knee and hock white triangle on either side of white triangle on either side of

the tail.the tail. some have wattlessome have wattles

Oberhasli kid with wattles

Major Breeds GoatsMajor Breeds GoatsAngoraAngora (Asia Minor) (Asia Minor)

Both sexes are hornedBoth sexes are horned Pronounced spiral to the hornPronounced spiral to the horn

Utilized in Mohair Production (Mohair is a silky textile produced from the hair of the Utilized in Mohair Production (Mohair is a silky textile produced from the hair of the angora goat).angora goat).

White in colorWhite in color

Goat Breeds and SelectionGoat Breeds and SelectionAngora Goat SelectionAngora Goat Selection

In selecting for fiber, one is interested In selecting for fiber, one is interested

in both quantity (weight) and quality in both quantity (weight) and quality

of fiber (length, fineness, style, of fiber (length, fineness, style,

character, etc.). character, etc.).

In addition to fiber, one must be In addition to fiber, one must be

concerned with traits that contribute concerned with traits that contribute

to the survival or viability (soundness, to the survival or viability (soundness,

fertility, etc.) of the individual.fertility, etc.) of the individual.

Major Breeds GoatsMajor Breeds GoatsBoer (South Africa)Boer (South Africa)

Also known as the AfricanderAlso known as the Africander Early maturingEarly maturing

Predominantly white with red head but some Predominantly white with red head but some solid red exist.solid red exist.

FertileFertile

Major Breeds of GoatsMajor Breeds of GoatsSpanishSpanish (Spain) (Spain)

Feral goat or brush goat native to U.S. Feral goat or brush goat native to U.S. Descended from the goats that were released or escaped Descended from the goats that were released or escaped

from the early Spanish explorersfrom the early Spanish explorers Utilized for meat.Utilized for meat. Fat content is less than beef.Fat content is less than beef.

Major Breeds GoatsMajor Breeds GoatsNigerian Dwarf Nigerian Dwarf (West Africa)(West Africa)

Main colors are black, chocolate and gold with Main colors are black, chocolate and gold with random white markings.random white markings. Breed year roundBreed year round

They give 3-4# of milk per day at 6 to 10% They give 3-4# of milk per day at 6 to 10% butterfatbutterfat

They make great petsThey make great pets

Major Breeds of GoatsMajor Breeds of GoatsPygmy Goat Pygmy Goat (Africa)(Africa)

Full coat of straight, medium-long hair.Full coat of straight, medium-long hair. All colors are acceptableAll colors are acceptable

muzzle, forehead, eyes and ears are accented in muzzle, forehead, eyes and ears are accented in tones lighter than the dark portion of the body.tones lighter than the dark portion of the body.

Make good petsMake good pets

• Questions Questions

Major Breeds of GoatsMajor Breeds of GoatsQuiz #1Quiz #1

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Major Breeds of GoatsMajor Breeds of GoatsQuiz #1Quiz #1

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Major Breeds of GoatsMajor Breeds of GoatsAnswers to Quiz #1Answers to Quiz #1

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AngoraBoer Goat

Nubian Alpine

Major Breeds of GoatsMajor Breeds of GoatsQuiz #1Quiz #1

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Pygmy LaMancha

Saanen Toggenburg