7 Popular Dairy Goat Breeds You Should Know
These goats are perfect for small farms and homesteads—no kidding! 🐐
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Raising animals is one of the greatest joys of farm life. If you've got a farm or homestead (and have already mastered the art of raising chickens), it may be time for you to consider adding dairy goats to the mix. Most goat breeds are docile, and goat milk can be made into a long list of useful products, from sweets to soap. "Goats are incredibly intelligent and loving—much more like dogs than other farm animals," says Louisa Conrad, co-owner of Vermont's Big Picture Farm, which produces goat milk products including award-winning caramels.
Mikayla Herrmann, who makes goat milk products on her homestead in Oklahoma, agrees. "There are so many wonderful benefits to raising goats but one thing that surprised me is how fun of a personality the goats have. Ours are very friendly and playful but also know how to quickly stir up mischief. It makes them fun to just sit and watch."
To help you decide which goat breed is the best for your farm, we've rounded up a list of the most common dairy goat breeds in the U.S., from smaller, pet-friendly Nigerian Dwarf Goats to larger breeds that are stellar milk producers, like Alpine Goats and Saanen Goats. "If you’re considering raising goats, be knowledgeable of their dietary needs, which can vary depending on their use," says Mikayla. "Also, have good fencing! Someone once told me, 'If you throw a bucket of water at a fence and the water gets through, so could a goat,' and that's true. Goats are the best escape artists."
Whichever goat breeds you choose, be sure to do your research on what each goat breed requires, educate yourself about dairy goat management, learn about breed standards and buy goats from a reputable source (visit the American Dairy Goat Association website for info).
Alpine Goat
A breed that originated in the French Alps, Alpine goats are hardy and adaptable, as well as curious, intelligent, and friendly. They're also excellent milk producers, averaging about 2,715 pounds per year, making them one of the most popular dairy goats in the U.S. According to the American Dairy Goat Association, mature Alpine does are on the larger side, weighing around 135 pounds and standing 30 inches high at the top of their shoulders (aka withers).
Saanen Goat
The Saanen breed began in Switzerland and is easy to spot as they are always white in color and have erect ears that point a bit forwards. Weighing up to 145 pounds and 30 inches tall, they're the largest dairy goat breed as well as excellent milk producers, second only to Alpines. They're also calm and friendly, making them a good pick for farms with children.
Note: Sable Goats are the same as Saanens except for their coloration, which can be tan, brown, black, or patterned (they're sometimes referred to as "Saanens in party clothes.")
Nubian Goat
Nubian goats come in a variety of colors, but you can always spot one thanks to their long, floppy ears that look a bit like a bunny. Nubians are popular with ice cream and cheese makers as their milk is high in butterfat and protein.
LaMancha Goat
While LaMancha Goats have coats in a range of colors, it's their short ears (known as elf ears) or a lack of visible ears (known as gopher ears) that makes them easy to spot in a herd. Top milk producers, LaManchas are also among the sweetest and most gentle breeds of dairy goats, which makes them excellent pets, too.
Toggenburg Goat
Toggenburgs are among the first official breeds of dairy goats imported to the U.S. from Switzerland, and they are generally friendly, calm, and inquisitive. With adult does reaching 120 pounds and 26 inches tall, they're mid-sized milk goats who produce about 2,237 pounds per year according to the American Dairy Goat Association.
Oberhasli Goat
A copper hued coat with black markings set these mid-sized dairy goats apart, as do their notably calm personalities. While Oberhaslis produce less milk on average than other dairy goats, they still make close to 2,000 pounds per year.
Nigerian Dwarf Goat
As their name implies, Nigerian Dwarf goats are on the smaller side at just 23.5'' for males and 22.5'' for females. Their diminutive size means they produce less milk on average than other dairy goats (about 795 pounds per year) but it also makes Nigerian Dwarf Goats ideal for smaller farms. Some have horns and others are naturally hornless (either way, they're pretty darn cute!)
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