What Are Nubian Cross Goats?

The Nubian goat is one of six breeds of dairy goats recognized by the American Dairy Goat Association. A Nubian cross would be a goat that is a mix of Nubian and another kind of goat. The Nubian is a goat with some unique traits like a distinctive voice, a stubborn disposition and strong frame and a rich milk that is high in protein and butterfat.

  1. History

    • Pygmy goats and a Nubian goat enjoying edible treats.

      According to the International Nubian Breeders Association, the origins of the Nubian are in Africa (Nubia is a region in the northern Sudan) via France and England. The French had been developing the Nubian from what is believed to be Swiss origins and other mixed breeds when English breeders bred this goat with another type called the Anglo. The result was the Anglo-Nubian, or what is called the Nubian goat today.

    Nubian Crosses

    • Nubians are the most popular breed of domesticated goat in the United States, no doubt one of the factors that has resulted in a number of Nubian crosses and mixed breeds. The Nubian goat is one of the larger, stronger types of goats, and breeders aim to integrate traits like size and strength as well as richer milk when they cross-breed Nubian goats.

    Characteristics

    • A Nubian goat (left) and an Angora goat (right).

      Other than their size, Nubian and Nubian-cross goats have other distinctive physical traits that distinguish them from other breeds. Their head and facial features set them apart. They have long, floppy ears and their thin, glossy coats can be a wide variety of colors including brown, tan or black and tend to have short, convex noses. Nubian crosses often also have spots. Their call is distinctive, sounding like an irritable cry or complaint.

    Milk Production

    • Strong, big goats that produce a lot of milk are the basis for any successful goat dairy farm or breeding ranch and the Nubian genetics possess these traits. The mixed European ancestry of the Nubian goat includes some Swiss breeds and the traits of the udder reflects this. The richer butterfat content of Nubian goat milk compensates for a lower volume of milk produced than its Swiss counterparts.