Breeds of Goats.
Dairy Goats
Anglo- Nubian
Most noted for its Roman nose, large pendulous ears and its variety of colours. Originally from the Far East, crossed with English goats in Britain. Its milk has the highest butterfat and protein content of all goats milk. Large goat with an upright stance.
British Alpine
Black with white Swiss markings, makes the breed very distinctive. The result of general cross breeding to produce a high yielding milker. Very active and energetic, one of the largest types of dairy goats.
Saanen
Pure white. Originally from Switzerland. Quiet, easy to handle with high milk yield. Small and fine boned.
British Saanen
Developed from the Swiss Saanen goat. Much larger and heavier than the Saanen, with longer legs. Calm, placid temperament and high milk yield.
Toggenburg.
Comes in a variety of shades of brown, fringes of hair on flanks and hindquarters. White Swiss markings. The first Swiss goat to reach Britain. Very active and hardy. Good steady milk yield
British Toggenburg
Brown with white swiss markings. Developed from the Toggenburg, but larger with little or no fringing. Hardy, robust breed and a high milk yield.
Golden/British Guernsey
Silky golden coat varying in colour from pale blonde to deep gold. Small docile goat producing a steady milk yield. The only dairy goat listed as endangered with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
English
Variable colours, but with characteristic markings, eg black stripe down back. Good food converter. Easily adaptable and docile.
Dairy goats also have another breed, which is commonly referred to as “British” (or Any Other Variety at Shows). This is a goat which has any combination of the above breeds in its pedigree, and is registered with the British Goat Society in its Herd Book section. Many breeders, favour breeding British goats, as they can combine the best of two breeds. Ie, the high milk yield of the British Saanen, with the hardiness of the British Toggernburg. Some goats will resemble for example the British Alpine or Anglo Nubian, but are not actually part of the pure breed. These goats can be bred back into a pure breed (except to Saanen & Toggenburg breeds) by crossing back to a pure bred goat with each successful generation.
Fibre Goats.
Angora
Smaller than dairy breeds. Bred for their fleeces which yield a fibre called Mohair. Fleeces are creamy white.
Cashmere
Also known as the feral goat which produces a fine undercoat known as Cashmere. Various colours.
Meat Goats
Boers
Originated from South Africa. Chestnut coloured head with white body. Small, stocky animal. Very sturdy.
Other Goats
Pygmy
Very small and compact goat with short legs. Various colours. A very alert, lively goat with no productive use. Popular as pets.
Bagot
Black head, neck and forequarters with a mainly white body. Kept for their attractiveness. Listed with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Small animal with a long coat and horns.
Anglo- Nubian
Most noted for its Roman nose, large pendulous ears and its variety of colours. Originally from the Far East, crossed with English goats in Britain. Its milk has the highest butterfat and protein content of all goats milk. Large goat with an upright stance.
British Alpine
Black with white Swiss markings, makes the breed very distinctive. The result of general cross breeding to produce a high yielding milker. Very active and energetic, one of the largest types of dairy goats.
Saanen
Pure white. Originally from Switzerland. Quiet, easy to handle with high milk yield. Small and fine boned.
British Saanen
Developed from the Swiss Saanen goat. Much larger and heavier than the Saanen, with longer legs. Calm, placid temperament and high milk yield.
Toggenburg.
Comes in a variety of shades of brown, fringes of hair on flanks and hindquarters. White Swiss markings. The first Swiss goat to reach Britain. Very active and hardy. Good steady milk yield
British Toggenburg
Brown with white swiss markings. Developed from the Toggenburg, but larger with little or no fringing. Hardy, robust breed and a high milk yield.
Golden/British Guernsey
Silky golden coat varying in colour from pale blonde to deep gold. Small docile goat producing a steady milk yield. The only dairy goat listed as endangered with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
English
Variable colours, but with characteristic markings, eg black stripe down back. Good food converter. Easily adaptable and docile.
Dairy goats also have another breed, which is commonly referred to as “British” (or Any Other Variety at Shows). This is a goat which has any combination of the above breeds in its pedigree, and is registered with the British Goat Society in its Herd Book section. Many breeders, favour breeding British goats, as they can combine the best of two breeds. Ie, the high milk yield of the British Saanen, with the hardiness of the British Toggernburg. Some goats will resemble for example the British Alpine or Anglo Nubian, but are not actually part of the pure breed. These goats can be bred back into a pure breed (except to Saanen & Toggenburg breeds) by crossing back to a pure bred goat with each successful generation.
Fibre Goats.
Angora
Smaller than dairy breeds. Bred for their fleeces which yield a fibre called Mohair. Fleeces are creamy white.
Cashmere
Also known as the feral goat which produces a fine undercoat known as Cashmere. Various colours.
Meat Goats
Boers
Originated from South Africa. Chestnut coloured head with white body. Small, stocky animal. Very sturdy.
Other Goats
Pygmy
Very small and compact goat with short legs. Various colours. A very alert, lively goat with no productive use. Popular as pets.
Bagot
Black head, neck and forequarters with a mainly white body. Kept for their attractiveness. Listed with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Small animal with a long coat and horns.
