Common American Goat Breeds

Outside of a petting zoo, most goats in the United States are bred either for milk production or for their meat. A large number of goat breeds exist worldwide, but only a few are commonly bred in the U.S. for agricultural purposes. Generally, to get goats to produce milk the females have to give birth. The resulting offspring tend to be sold for food, meaning dairy and meat breeds tend to be the same.

  1. Anglo-Nubians

    • The Anglo-Nubian (often called simply "Nubian") is a mixture of English, African and Indian goat breeds and is an all-purpose goat. It is a large goat breed, reaching heights of 30 inches and weights of 135 lbs. Nubians provide milk, meat and hides, with the milk being high in protein and butterfat. The African and Indian aspects of their ancestry mean it is a short-haired breed that is tolerant of hot climates.

    La Mancha

    • The La Mancha is a cross between a Spanish short-eared goat and a Nubian. This crossing was created in Oregon by breeder Eula Frey. The breed has distinctly small ears which are sometimes almost not visible at all. It is a solid producer with high protein and butterfat content to its milk.

    Alpine

    • The Alpine breed originated in the French Alps and is one of the top milk producers for the U.S. The breed came to the U.S. in the 1920s and fast became popular for high-volume, quality milk production. It is a highly adaptable breed which can withstand cold and hot climates equally well.

    Toggenburg

    • The Toggenburg originates from a valley in Switzerland of the same name. It is the oldest known dairy-goat breed and is a mid-range milk-producing animal. The breed is most suited to cooler climates, as they naturally grow shaggy coats.

    Saanen

    • Saanens are another Swiss breed that are distinct in that they are usually pure white in color. They are the second most popular dairy-goat breed in the U.S. and are also the largest of all goat breeds. The milk produced is high in both protein and butterfat and is produced in copious amounts.

    Oberhasli

    • The Oberhasli also originates from Switzerland and is a medium to large goat breed. It is a common breed used in the U.S. for milk, producing high levels of protein and butterfat. It produces moderate to high levels of this quality milk and, like all main milk breeds, is commonly used for meat as well.