THE DAIRY GOATThe Breeds

8 RECOGNIZED BREEDS Saanen French Alpine Nubian Toggenburg Oberhasli La Mancha Sable Nigerian Dwarf

SAANEN Largest dairy goat breed Calm and mild temperment Lower butterfat content 2.5 – 3% Erect ears Needs shade for it’s very light skin. Originated in the Saanen Valley in

Switzerland.

FRENCH ALPINE Originated in the Alps Variety of colors No all white or toggenburg markings

NUBIAN Large, pendulous ears and a roman nose Dual purpose breed, hey have more flesh

than most other dairy goats Very large goats that come in any color

combination. High butterfat milk, 5% or more – makes for

more flavor in the milk.

SABLE A colored Saanen – the color is a recessive

trait Many Saanen breeders destroyed colored

kids at birth. In 2003 the ADGA recognized Sables as a

breed so numbers are now growing. Same tempermant, rugged build and

production qualities as the Saanen.

NIGERIAN DWARF Miniature dairy goat of West African origin The only dwarf dairy breed recognized in the

U.S. Their milk is higher in butterfat and protien

than other breeds. Excellent pets as well as production animals ½ to 1/3 the size of other breeds

LA MANCHA Very small or no apparent external ears. Medium in size and gentle natured. 2 types of ears – gopher and elf Gopher - ear is very small and appears to be

'shriveled‘ with no fold and must not exceed 1 inch.

Elf - maximum length of 2 inches is allowed, end of the ear must be turned up or turned down, and cartilage shaping the small ear is allowed.

TOGGENBURG Originated in the Toggenburg Valley

in Switzerland. Medium sized, moderate production

and low butterfat. Solid color varying from light fawn to

dark chocolate brown with white ears with dark spot in 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 a dark line (band) below knee acceptable; a white triangle on either side of the tail.

OBERHASLI Originated in Canton of Berne in

Switzerland Warm reddish brown accented with a

black dorsal stripe, legs, belly, and face, occasionally black.

Only black does can be registered, not bucks.

Very bossy and talkative does in a herd.

DAIRY GOAT TERMINOLOGY Buck – adult male goat Doe – adult female goat Polled – naturally hornless Butterfat – cream content of milk Disbud – to remove horns, usually with a hot iron Production – the process of producing milk Udder – bag shaped structure that produces milk Wether – castrated male goat Kid – baby or young goat Cud - the plant material that goats (and other

ruminant animals) regurgitate and chew again.

DAIRY GOAT DIGESTION - RUMINANTS What is a ruminant? Any of various cud-

chewing hoofed mammals having a stomach divided into four compartments

The four compartments: Rumen – fermentation vat for stomach, not

functional at birth Reticulum – located next to heart,

honeycomb appearance, catches metal and foreign objects

Omasum – no enzymes, functions to reduce particle size and absorb water

Abomasum – the true stomach, secretes enzymes, digestion occurs here