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Milk Goat Breeds: Complete List of Dairy Goat Breeds with Pictures & Comparison

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Table of ContentsWhat is a Dairy Goat Breed? A Quick Explanation of CharacteristicsHow Many Dairy Goat Breeds Are There?​Dairy Goat Breeds – Complete ListALPINE GOATANGLO NUBIAN​APPENZELL GOAT​ARGENTANTA DELL’ETNA GOATSBEETAL GOATS​BELGIAN FAWN​BIONDA DELL’ADAMELLO​CHAMOIS COLOURED GOAT​DANISH LANDRACE GOAT​DERA DIN PANAH GOAT​FRISA VALTELLINESE​GARGANICA GOAT​GIRGENTANA GOATIRISH GOAT​JAMNAPARI GOAT​JONICA GOAT​KAMORI GOAT​KINDER GOAT​LAMANCHA GOAT​LAOSHAN GOAT​MALTESE GOAT​MESSINESE GOAT​OBERHASLI GOAT​MURCIANO-GRANADINA GOAT​NIGERIAN DWARF GOAT​NERA VERZASCA GOAT​OROBICA GOAT​RUSSIAN WHITE GOAT​SAANEN GOAT​SARDA GOAT​TAUERNSHECK GOAT​THURINGIAN GOAT​TOGGENBURG GOAT​WHITE SHORTHAIR GOATBest Dairy Goat Breeds – A Comparison of Dairy Goat BreedsReproductive Fitness of Dairy Goats (Annual Kidding Rate, Weaning Rate, Kid Crop Weaned)​Dairy Goat Parasite Resistance​Dairy Goat Climate Adaptability​Cost to Raise Dairy Goats​Temperament of Dairy Goats

What is a Dairy Goat Breed? A Quick Explanation of Characteristics

Dairy goat breeds are goats that are kept for the main purpose of milk production. According to the USDA report of 2017, there were 373,000 dairy goats in the United States. The main dairy goat breeds in the United States are Saanen, Alpine, Nubian, Toggenburg, Lamancha and Oberhasli.

The characteristics that distinguish the dairy goats above are:

  1. 1Dairy strength. This is the milk production capabilities. Saanen is a heavy milk producer compared to the LaMancha goat breed.
  2. 2Adaptability. How well can a goat perform in a different climates. Some breeds do well in warmer climates while others do well in cooler climates.
  3. 3Reproductive rate. You can differentiate dairy breeds with the kidding rate, the ability to breed out of season and the conception rate.  
  4. 4Evaluation of growth. Evaluating growth means looking at when dairy goat can be bred, how long it takes for a goat to reach maturity and the weight of the goat.

How Many Dairy Goat Breeds Are There?

According to the USDA report on 1st of January 2020, the milk goat count in the United States was 440,000 heads.

Dairy Goat and Meat Goat Count in the United States from the USDA census 2018-2020:

Dairy Goats and Kids in the United States from 1st January 2019 to 2020:

CLASS

2019

(head)

2020

(head)

2020 (as percent of 2019)

Milk goats and kids

430,000

440,000

102

Milk, breeding goats

385,000

395,000

103

  • Replacement kids (under one year)
  • Does (one year old and older)
  • Bucks (one year old and older)
  •   82,000
  • 276,000
  •   27,000
  •   84,000
  • 284,000
  •    27,000
  • 102
  • 103
  • 100

Milk, market goats and kids

45,000

45,000

100

Kid crop

296,000

305,000

103

​Dairy Goat Breeds – Complete List

There are more than sixty officially recognized goat breeds in the world. These are breeds that produce meat, milk, fiber. Below we will discuss the Dairy goat breeds in the world.

Dairy Goat and Meat Goat Count in the United States from the USDA census 2018-2020:

ALPINE GOAT

Country of Origin

France

Breed Weight

Bucks- Not less than 170lbs

Does- Not less than 130lbs

Breed Height

Bucks- not less than 32 inches

Does- not less than 30 inches

ANGLO NUBIAN

Country of Origin

Britain

Breed Weight

Bucks weight up to 310 pounds

Female weigh up to 240 pounds

Breed Weight

Male bucks have an average height of 35 inches

Female does have an average height of 31 inches

​APPENZELL GOAT

Country of Origin

Switzerland

Breed Weight

Bucks weigh approximately 65kgs

Does weigh approximately 40kgs

Breed Height

Males are 80 cm in height

Females are 75 cm in height

​ARGENTANTA DELL’ETNA GOATS

Country of Origin

Italy

Breed Weight

Bucks weigh approximately 50kgs

Does weigh approximately 38kgs

Breed Height

Male- 70 to 75 cm

Females- 65 to 67 cm

BEETAL GOATS

Country of Origin

India

Breed Weight

Bucks weigh approximately 120 kg

Does weigh approximately 90kgs

Breed Height

Males are 75 cm in height

Females are 70 cm in height

​BELGIAN FAWN

Country of Origin

Belgium

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh approximately 150 pounds

Does weigh approximately 120 pounds

Breed Height

Bucks have an average height of 81 cm

Does have an average height of 71 cm

​BIONDA DELL’ADAMELLO

The milk yield per lactation of the Bionda Dell’Adamello goat is 303 ± 108 litres. The milk averages 3.16% fat and 2.97% protein.

Country of Origin

Italy

Breed Weight

Bucks weigh between 70 and 75 kg

Does weigh between 55 and 60kg

Breed Height

These goats have an average height of 75 cm

​CHAMOIS COLOURED GOAT

The milk yield per lactation of the Chamois Coloured goat goat is given as >700kg, and with 3.4% fat and 2.9% protein.

Country of Origin

Switzerland

Breed Weight

Bucks weigh no less than 75 kg

Females weigh no less than 55kg

Breed Height

Bucks have an average height of 85 cm

Does have an average height of 75 cm

​DANISH LANDRACE GOAT

Country of Origin

Denmark

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh between 70 and 90 kg

Does weigh between 50 and 60 kg

Breed Height

Males have an average height of 85 to 95 cm

Females have an average height of 75 and 80 cm

​DERA DIN PANAH GOAT

Country of Origin

Pakistan

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh approximately 61kg

Does weigh approximately 41 kg

Breed Height

Bucks are 81 cm tall

Does are 70 cm tall

​FRISA VALTELLINESE

The milk yield per lactation for the Frisa Valtellinese goat is 271 ± 115 litres. The milk averages 3.23% fat and 3.04% protein.

Country of Origin

Italy

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh between 75 and 80 kg

Does weigh between 65 and 70 kg

Breed Height

These goats have an average height of between 79 and 82 cm.

​GARGANICA GOAT

The Garganica goat has an average milk yield of 120 litres in 180 days.

Country of Origin

Italy

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh approximately 65 kg

Does weigh approximately 50 kg

Breed Height

Males have an average height of 85 cm

Females have an average height of 75 cm

​GIRGENTANA GOAT

Country of Origin

Italy

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh approximately 65kg

Does weigh approximately 45 kg

Breed Height

Girgentana goats have an average height of between 80 and 85 cm

IRISH GOAT

Country of Origin

Ireland

Breed Weight – Bucks

Males weigh 85 kg

Does weigh approximately 55kg

Breed Height

Males are 90 cm tall

Females are 80 cm tall

​JAMNAPARI GOAT

The average milk yield per lactation of the Jamnapari goat is 158 kg. The milk fat content is 4.85%

Country of Origin

India

Body Weight – Bucks

Males can weigh up to 120 kg

Females can reach 90 kg

​JONICA GOAT

The annual milk yield of the Jonica goat is 300-400 litres.

Country of Origin

Italy

Breed Weight – Bucks

Males can weigh 68kg

Females can weigh 48 kg

Breed Height

Males are 78 cm tall

Females are 70 cm tall

​KAMORI GOAT

The average milk yield per lactation of the Kamori goat is 204 kg and the milk has a fat content of 4.7%

Country of Origin

Pakistan

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh approximately 55 kg

Females weigh approximately 39 kg

Breed Height

The average height of the Kamori goat is between 85 and 90 cm

​KINDER GOAT

Milk from kinder goats is high in butterfat. It also has high amounts of milk solids that yield large amounts of cheese.

Country of Origin

United States of America.

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh between 135 and 150 pounds

Does weigh between 115 and 125 pounds

Breed Height

Males have an average height of 71 cm

Females have an average height of 66 cm

​LAMANCHA GOAT

The average milk yield of the American LaMancha goat is 1018 kg. The milk has 3.9% fat content.

Country of Origin

United States of America.

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh up to 165 pounds

Does weigh approximately 130 pounds

​LAOSHAN GOAT

Country of Origin

China

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh approximately 76 kg

Does weigh approximately 48 kg

Breed Height

Males have an average height of 85 cm

Females have an average height 71 cm

​MALTESE GOAT

The average milk yield per lactation for Maltese goats is 242 ± 87 litres. The milk has an average of 4.28% and 3.66% fat and protein content respectively.

Country of Origin

Malta

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh approximately 70 kg

Does weigh approximately 46 kg

Breed Height

Males have an average height of 87 cm

Females have an average height 71 cm

​MESSINESE GOAT

Milk yield per lactation of the Messinese goat is 137 ± 66 litres. The milk fat average is 5.83% and 4.1% fat content.

Country of Origin

Italy

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh approximately 72 kg

Does weigh approximately 38 kg

Breed Height

Messinese goats have an average height of between 67 and 75 cm.

​OBERHASLI GOAT

The average milk yield per lactation of the Oberhasli goat is 2116 kg.

Country of Origin

United States of America

Breed Weight – Bucks

Mature males weigh approximately 150 pounds

Females weigh approximately 120 pounds

Breed Height

These goats have an average height of between 70 and 76 cm

​MURCIANO-GRANADINA GOAT

Country of Origin

Spain

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks have an average weight of between 50 to 60 kg

Does have an average weight of between 30 to 50 kg

Breed Height

These goats have an average height of between 70 and 75 cm

​NIGERIAN DWARF GOAT

Average milk yield per lactation of the Nigerian Dwarf goat is 340 kg. The milk fat content is 6.5% while the protein content is 3.9%.

Country of Origin

United States

Breed Weight – Bucks

The average weigh of bucks is about 75 pounds

The average weight of does is about 75 pounds

Breed Height

Males have an average height of between 19 and 23 inches

Females have an average height of between 17 and 22 inches

​NERA VERZASCA GOAT

The average milk yield per lactation of the Nera Verzasca goat is 373 litres. The milk has an average of 3.5% and 3% fat and protein respectively.

Country of Origin

Switzerland

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh approximately 90kg

Does weigh approximately 45 to 60 kg

Breed Height

The average height of these goats is between 76 and 86 cm

​OROBICA GOAT

Country of Origin

Italy

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh approximately 80kg

Does weigh approximately 65kg

Breed Height

These goats have an average height of between 73 and 79 cm

​RUSSIAN WHITE GOAT

Country of Origin

Russia

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh between 60 and 75 kg

Does weigh between 50 and 60 kg

​SAANEN GOAT

Average milk yield of a Saanen goat is 839 kg in a lactation period of 264 days. The milk should have a minimum of 3.2% and 2.7% fat and protein content respectively.

Country of Origin

Switzerland

Breed Weight – Bucks

Males weigh no less than 85kg

Females weigh no less than 60 kg

Breed Height

Males have an average height of 90 cm

Females have an average height of 80cm

​SARDA GOAT

The milk yield per lactation of the Sarda goat is 173 ± 62 litres. The milk has 4% protein content.

Country of Origin

Italy

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh approximately 67 kg

Does weigh approximately 50 kg

Breed Height

These goats have an average height of between 70 and 75 cm

​TAUERNSHECK GOAT

The milk yield per lactation of the Sarda goat is 173 ± 62 litres. The milk has 4% protein content.

Country of Origin

Austria

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh between 60 and 80 kg

Does weigh between 50 and 70 kg

​THURINGIAN GOAT

Country of Origin

Germany

Breed Weight – Bucks

Males weigh on average 55 kg

Females weigh on average 48kg

​TOGGENBURG GOAT

The minimum milk yield per lactation of a Toggenburg goat is 740 kg, the minimum protein content is 2.9% and the minimum fat content is 3.56%.

Country of Origin

Switzerland

Breed Weight – Bucks

Bucks weigh approximately 77kg

Does weigh approximately 55 kg

Breed Height

Males have an average height of 85 cm

Females have a height of 75 cm

​WHITE SHORTHAIR GOAT

Country of Origin

Czech Republic

Breed Weight – Bucks

150 to 190 pounds

Breed Height

120 to 150 pounds

Best Dairy Goat Breeds – A Comparison of Dairy Goat Breeds

Below we will discuss the most common dairy goat breeds in the United States which include the Alpine, Saanen, Nubian, Toggenburg and LaMancha.  

Reproductive Fitness of Dairy Goats (Annual Kidding Rate, Weaning Rate, Kid Crop Weaned)

  • Alpines usually carry twins.
  • LaManchas can have 1-3 kids in a season.

Dairy goats can be bred at the age of between 7 and 10 months when their weight ranges from 70 to 80 pounds.

Does normally produce between one to three kids per year.   

DHIR Data on Milk Production by Dairy Goat Breed:

BREED

AVERAGE PRODUCTION (lbs/lactation)

MILK FAT (%)

MILK PROTEIN (%)

Alpine

2,266

3.4

2.9

Saanen

2,577

3.3

2.9

Nubian

1,820

4.9

3.7

LaMancha

2,100

4.0

3.2

Toggenburg

2,115

3.2

2.7

​Dairy Goat Parasite Resistance

Goats are hardy animals so they require little maintenance to survive. Nonetheless goats can contract diseases that may both affect people. It’s important to contact a vet so as to develop a treatment program. Parasites are the most common health concern for goat health. They cause weight loss, poor and rough hair and Anemia.

Other health problems that can affect goats that are kept in poor conditions are:

  • Foot rot- this can be prevented by trimming hoofs and checking foot hygiene
  • Mastitis- this is an udder infection that affects goats. Follow good milking procedures, a clean and well ventilated house and a dry place to rest. Mastitis can lead to low production of milk and cause permanent damage to a doe’s udder.

​Dairy Goat Climate Adaptability

  • Alpine goats are agile and rugged. They do well in cooler climates while struggle in extremely hot areas.
  • Saanen goats are hardy and can do well in any climatic condition if kept in clean conditions.
  • Nubians can do well in any climate due to their tropics origin.
  • LaMancha goats can do well in any climatic condition while still maintaining good milk production.

​Cost to Raise Dairy Goats

The cost of raising a dairy goat ranges by breed, age, registration, health and the place of purchase. Other costs incurred when keeping dairy goats are the operating expenses like maintenance, utilities and supplies.

Feed, veterinary, labor and breeding costs should also be considered.

​Temperament of Dairy Goats

  • Alpines are friendly animals and affectionate.
  • The Saanen goat can make a good pet goat. Its friendly demeanor makes it an excellent choice for you and your kids.
  • Nubian goats are noisy goats. But they are also easy to handle and affectionate.
  • LaManchas are curious and alert animals so you would want to have enough fencing in your backyard. If well socialized, LaManchas are also very affectionate.

References:

  1. 1List of goat breeds
  2. 2Dairy goat breeds
  3. 3Goat breeds
  4. 4Goat Breeds – Goats
  5. 5Richard Browning Jr., Ph. D – Tennessee State University
  6. 6ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture Program
  7. 7Dairy Goats Farming in the Americas
  8. 8Dairy Goats Breeds

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