There are 6 primary breeds of goats and nearly 100 specific breeds. The main breeds are Nubian, Alpine, Saanen, Toggenburg, LaMancha, and Oberhasli.
Nubian goats, usually brown in colour and with long droopy ears, originated in the United Kingdom and are still the most popular breed of goat. Their milk is high in butterfat and thus good for cheese making.
As the name suggests Alpine goats originated in Switzerland and were later imported to France, England and the United States. They are black or brown and white, with smaller, upright eras. Also hailing from Switzerland are Saanens, which are most often all white with a friendly disposition, Toggenburgs, which are usually a chocolate brown, and Oberhaslis, which are a bay colour with black facial stripes.
LaMancha goats were originally a Spanish breed which traveled to and was developed in the United States by crossbreeding with other local goats. They are noted for their very short ears.
There are some others breeds which are gaining in popularity as well. The Pygmy goat, which is originally from the French Cameroon area of Africa, was first exported to European zoos, then to the United States in the late 1950’s where they are kept mainly as pets, as their short stature and hairy coats make them extremely cute.
The Boer goat was purpose developed in South Africa, and is sought after for its high quality meat, while Cashmere and Angoras are famed for their valuable fleeces.
Nubian goats, usually brown in colour and with long droopy ears, originated in the United Kingdom and are still the most popular breed of goat. Their milk is high in butterfat and thus good for cheese making.
As the name suggests Alpine goats originated in Switzerland and were later imported to France, England and the United States. They are black or brown and white, with smaller, upright eras. Also hailing from Switzerland are Saanens, which are most often all white with a friendly disposition, Toggenburgs, which are usually a chocolate brown, and Oberhaslis, which are a bay colour with black facial stripes.
LaMancha goats were originally a Spanish breed which traveled to and was developed in the United States by crossbreeding with other local goats. They are noted for their very short ears.
There are some others breeds which are gaining in popularity as well. The Pygmy goat, which is originally from the French Cameroon area of Africa, was first exported to European zoos, then to the United States in the late 1950’s where they are kept mainly as pets, as their short stature and hairy coats make them extremely cute.
The Boer goat was purpose developed in South Africa, and is sought after for its high quality meat, while Cashmere and Angoras are famed for their valuable fleeces.