Kinds Of Goats

Goats are the world's first domesticated animals from about 8,000 B.C. They come in many different sizes and markings. Different breeds can provide a variety of products, including meat, fiber, and milk for drinking or making cheese and soap. In the past, goats were preferred farm animals on ships because they provided the same products as cows but took up less space. Goats vary in size and can be chosen for the space available to keep them. They are hardy animals and inexpensive to keep.

  1. Dairy Goats

    • Dairy goats have a delicate bone structure and tend to be the largest size breed. Many originate from Switzerland and these include Saanens, which are all white, Toggenburgs are brown and white in a distinct pattern, and Oberhaslis and Alpine goats are multi-colored. The largest dairy goat breed is the Nubian, which is originally form Britain. They have long ears and are any color combination. An American goat breed is the La Mancha. Often all white, it has miniature ears. Nigerian Dwarfs are the smallest dairy breed from West Africa. They are a miniaturization of the larger breeds, with the same proportions as their larger peers.

    Meat Goats

    • Goat meat is preferred over beef in many parts of the world, such as Africa and the Caribbean. Meat goats are stockier and sturdier in body type because they are bred to put on more muscle than the dairy breeds. The most popular and common meat goat is the Boer breed. It originates from South Africa and hasa red and white coat. An American variety of meat goat is the Tennessee Meat Goat. Young bucks from other breeds are often used for meat because they are not useful for milk products.

    Miniature Goats

    • Miniature goats are easier to care for because of their smaller scale. They don't eat as much and need less housing and yard space. This can be a consideration in colder climates where they spend more time indoors. Pygmy goats are stocky with shorter legs and a "dished" face that looks curved inward in profile. They are sometimes used as meat goats. Nigerian Dwarfs are miniature milk goats and produce about a third the amount of milk as a regular-sized goat. The milk is sweeter because of a higher fat content.

    Fiber Goats

    • The Angora goat is most popular in the fiber goat category. It produces white mohair, a long outer coat. These goats are originally from the Himalayas and were taken to Turkey where they acquired their name form the capital, Ankara. Angora goats have been crossed with pygmy goats, to create the Pygora breed. Cashmere goats are not as popular, but their numbers are growing in the United States.