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

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. Dairy strength. This is the milk production capabilities. Saanen is a heavy milk producer compared to the LaMancha goat breed.
2. Adaptability. 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. Reproductive rate. You can differentiate dairy breeds with the kidding rate, the ability to breed out of season and the conception rate.  
4. Evaluation 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 1^st 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 1^st 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