Complete Guide to Goat Breeds
Explore our comprehensive guide to goat breeds from around the world. Whether you're interested in dairy, meat, fiber, or pet goats, discover detailed information about each breed's characteristics, care requirements, and breeding information.Dairy Breeds

Alpine
Origin: French Alps
• Size: 30-32 inches at withers
A medium to large-sized dairy breed known for their high milk production and adaptability to various climates. French Alpines are excellent milkers with good temperaments, making them popular in commercial dairies.
🥛 Milk yield: 2,000-3,000 pounds per lactation

Nubian
Origin: Africa/India/Middle East
• Size: 24-28 inches at withers
Distinguished by their long, pendulous ears and Roman nose, Nubians are excellent milk producers with high butterfat content.
🥛 Milk yield: 1,500-2,500 pounds per lactation

Nigerian Dwarf
Origin: West Africa
• Size: 12-16 inches at withers
Small-sized dairy goats that produce surprisingly high amounts of milk with high butterfat content.
🥛 Milk yield: 1,000-1,500 pounds per lactation

LaMancha
Origin: United States
• Size: 28-30 inches at withers
Known for their tiny or absent external ears and excellent dairy production. LaMancha goats are prized for their high milk production and calm temperament.
🥛 Milk yield: 1,800-2,800 pounds per lactation

Saanen
Origin: Switzerland
• Size: 30-35 inches at withers
Large white dairy goats known as the "Holstein of the goat world" for their high milk production. Saanens are the largest of the dairy breeds.
🥛 Milk yield: 2,500-3,800 pounds per lactation

Oberhasli
Origin: Switzerland
• Size: 28-30 inches at withers
Medium-sized dairy breed with distinctive bay red coloring and black markings. Known for their steady temperament and reliable milk production.
🥛 Milk yield: 1,500-2,500 pounds per lactation

Toggenburg
Origin: Switzerland
• Size: 26-28 inches at withers
One of the oldest registered dairy breeds, known for consistent milk production and distinctive coloring. These Swiss natives are medium-sized and hardy.
🥛 Milk yield: 1,800-2,300 pounds per lactation

Sable
Origin: United States/Switzerland
• Size: 30-35 inches at withers
A colored variant of the Saanen breed, these large dairy goats offer excellent milk production with slightly higher butterfat content than their white counterparts.
🥛 Milk yield: 2,500-3,500 pounds per lactation

Golden Guernsey
Origin: Guernsey, Channel Islands
• Size: 24-29 inches at withers
A rare golden-colored dairy breed known for its docile temperament and rich milk. Originally from the British Channel Island of Guernsey.
🥛 Milk yield: 1,500-2,000 pounds per lactation

Finnish Landrace
Origin: Finland
• Size: 26-30 inches at withers
A hardy Scandinavian breed known for good milk production and adaptability to harsh climates.
🥛 Milk yield: 1,500-2,200 pounds per lactation

Anglo-Nubian
Origin: United Kingdom
• Size: 30-35 inches at withers
A large dual-purpose breed known for high butterfat content in milk and good meat production.
🥛 Milk yield: 1,800-2,500 pounds per lactation
Meat Breeds

Boer
Origin: South Africa
• Size: 24-28 inches at withers
The premier meat goat breed, known for rapid growth and excellent muscle development.
🥩 Dress weight: 120-160 pounds

Kiko
Origin: New Zealand
• Size: 24-28 inches at withers
Hardy meat breed developed for survival and growth in challenging conditions.
🥩 Dress weight: 120-160 pounds

Spanish
Origin: United States
• Size: 25-30 inches at withers
Hardy meat goats well-adapted to harsh environments and extensive grazing. Known for their exceptional survival skills and maternal abilities.
🥩 Dress weight: 50-60% of live weight

Myotonic
Origin: United States
• Size: 22-25 inches at withers
Also known as Tennessee Fainting Goats, these unique meat goats are known for their myotonia congenita, causing temporary muscle stiffness when startled.
🥩 Dress weight: 50-60% of live weight

Kalahari Red
Origin: South Africa
• Size: 28-32 inches at withers
A robust meat breed developed in South Africa, known for its distinctive red color and excellent meat production.
🥩 Dress weight: 50-55% of live weight
Fiber Breeds

Angora
Origin: Turkey
• Size: 18-22 inches at withers
Produces mohair fiber and known for their long, curly fleece. The Angora goat is one of the oldest breeds of domesticated goats, prized for its luxurious mohair production.
🧶 Fiber yield: 8-16 pounds per year

Cashmere
Origin: Asia
• Size: 20-25 inches at withers
Known for producing the luxurious cashmere fiber from their undercoat. These goats are not a specific breed but rather any goat that produces cashmere wool.
🧶 Fiber yield: 4-8 ounces per year
Pet Breeds
Dual Purpose Breeds

Kinder
Origin: United States
• Size: 20-26 inches at withers
A dual-purpose breed developed from Nubian and Pygmy goats, offering both milk and meat production in a medium-sized package.
🥛 Milk yield: 1,200-1,800 pounds per lactation
🥩 Dress weight: 55-60% of live weight

Valais Blackneck
Origin: Switzerland
• Size: 28-32 inches at withers
A striking breed with distinctive black front and white rear coloring. Known for both meat and milk production.
🥛 Milk yield: 1,200-1,800 pounds per lactation
🥩 Dress weight: 50-55% of live weight

Beetal
Origin: India
• Size: 30-35 inches at withers
A large breed from India known for both milk and meat production. Recognized for its long pendulous ears and roman nose.
🥛 Milk yield: 1,500-2,500 pounds per lactation
🥩 Dress weight: 45-50% of live weight
Additional Resources
Breed Selection Guide
Not sure which breed is right for you? Use our comprehensive breed selection guide to find the perfect match for your needs.
Learn More →Breed Comparison Tool
Compare different breeds side by side to make an informed decision about which goat breed best suits your goals.
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