Pygmy Goats

National Pygmy Goat Association (NPGA) Breed Standard

The Pygmy Goat is genetically small, cobby and compact. It is full-barreled and well-muscled, the body circumference in relation to height and weight is proportionately greater than that of other breeds. Mature animals measure between 16 and 23 inches at the withers (shoulder blades to ground). Head and legs are short relative to body length. Genetic hornlessness is considered a disqualifying fault. However, disbudded (dehorned) or horned goats are acceptable.

Preferred colors range from white through black with gray agouti being predominant. Muzzle, forehead, eyes and ears are accented in lighter tones. Front and rear hoofs and cannons (socks) are black, as are the crown and dorsal stripe. Random markings are acceptable in limited amounts and characteristics locations. Coat length and density vary with climates, making the Pygmy Goat equally at home in the desert or in the northern
tundra.

Pygmy goats should reflect the following breed characteristics:

Coat – The full coat of straight, medium-long hair which varies in density with seasons and climates. On females, beards may be non-existent., sparse, or trimmed. On adult males, abundant hair growth is desirable; the beard to be full, long and flowing, the copious mane draping cape-like across the shoulders.

Color – All body colors are acceptable, the predominant coloration is a grizzled (agouti) pattern produced by the intermingling of light and dark hairs, of any color. See recognized color choices below.

CARAMEL PATTERNS
All have light vertical stripes on front side of darker stockings. Muzzle, forehead, eyes and ears accepted in tone lighter than the darker portion of the body.

LIGHT CARAMEL

White or caramel hairs, intermingled with white in the undercoat making the top coat color appear to be a shade of pure white to cream.

MEDIUM CARAMEL

Caramel and white hairs intermingled in the undercoat making the top coat a shade of apricot.

DARK CARAMEL.

White hairs intermingled with darker caramel/buff or brown hairs in the undercoat making the top coat a shade close to a medium tan.

BROWN CARAMEL

Brown mainly with only occasional intermingled white hairs in the undercoat making the topcoat a pronounced darker brown.

AGOUTI PATTERNS

All agoutis have solid stockings darker than main body color. Muzzle, forehead, eyes, and ears accented in tones lighter than the dark portion of the body.

LIGHT GRAY AGOUTI 

Black and white hairs intermingled with slightly more white hairs to give a light Greg color, making the topcoat silver in shade.

MEDIUM GRAY AGOUTI

Black and white hairs intermingled in equal amounts giving the topcoat a blacker appearance close to an equal amount of salt and pepper.

DARK GRAY AGOUTI

Darker Greg appearance with fewer white hairs, but still a salt and pepper appearance that is pronounced.

BLACK AGOUTI

Black mainly with only occasional intermingled white hairs.

LIGHT BROWN AGOUTI. 

Light / silver Greg hairs intermingled with white and with brownish tips to main body hairs, making the topcoat appear a burnt silver shade.

MEDIUM BROWN AGOUTI

Brown and white hairs intermingled in equal amounts giving the topcoat a browner salt and pepper appearance.

DARK BROWN AGOUTI

Brown hairs intermingled with fewer white hairs, but still a salt and pepper appearance that is a pronounced darker brown.

BROWN AGOUTI

Brown mainly with only occasional intermingled white hairs.

BLACK PATTERNS.
All blacks have solid black stockings.

BLACK

Solid black except for muzzle, forehead, eyes, and ears accented in tones lighter than the darker portion of the body.

SOLID BLACK

All black with no lighter accented areas.

Markings –
A. Breed-specific markings are required: muzzle, forehead, eyes, and ears are accented in tones lighter than the dark portion of the body in goats of all colors, except goats that are solid black. Front and rear hoofs and cannons (socks) are darker than main body coat, as are the crown, dorsal stripe, and martingale; except in goats that are solid black. On all caramel goats, light vertical stripes on front sides of darker socks are required.

B. Optional markings: light areas (on darker backgrounds) that appear as complete or partial girth belts are acceptable.

Source: NPGA’s PYGMY GOAT BASIC OWNERS MANUAL

American Goat Society (AGS) Breed Description

The AGS Pygmy is a milk goat about the size of the Nigerian, but with the dwarf-like proportions of short legs (especially in the cannon bones), short but large head, and lots of width, especially in the barrel – to the point where does look perpetually pregnant. The Pygmy head is wide between bright, prominent eyes and in the chest between the legs. It is shorter and cobbier than the Toggenburg and carries more muscling than any other breed. The width and depth of body compared with height are greater than the other breeds, giving it a very angular appearance. Light colored Pygmies often have darker legs, dorsal stripe, and martingale; and dark colored Pygmies often have light etching on the ears, crown, muzzle and eye rims. The coat is full, heavy and medium length. All colors are acceptable..

ORIGIN: West Africa

Pygmy Does
Conformation and General Appearance:	Small, cobby, compact, muscular, hardy, alert, very wide and deep throughout, standing 16 – 22.3 inches at the withers with 3.7 – 4.5 inch cannon bones.
Head:	Large, short and wide, especially between eyes and in rounded muzzle; face dished; full, broad, strong, jaw; alert and wide apart, prominent eyes; horns or dehorned acceptable.
Ears:	Medium, firm, erect, alertly mobile.
Neck:	Short, rounded but slender, muscular, full throated but feminine; no dewlap.
Body:	Very wide, deep and angular, symmetrical with well-sprung ribs; straight topline and medium short, slightly sloping rump with tail carried high.
Legs & Feet:	Short (especially cannons and pasterns), sturdy, wide/square set, straight, strong, well-muscled, resilient, deep heeled.
Coat:	Short, full, thick, straight, medium-long, sparse beard.
Colors:	Any color or markings acceptable; black with white ears, eyes, crown and muzzle, and agouti (grizzled gray) with black facial stripes, dorsal stripe, martingale, and cannons are common colors.
Udder:	High, wide, rounded, firm, well-attached, with short and cylindrical teats.
Pygmy Bucks
Conformation and General Appearance:	Small, cobby compact, muscular, hardy, alert, very wide and deep throughout, standing 16-23.6 inches at the withers with 3.7-4.6″ cannon bones.
Head:	Large, short and wide, especially between the eyes and in rounded muzzle, face dished, full, broad, strong jaw; alert, wide apart, prominent eyes; horns or dehorned acceptable.
Ears:	Medium length, firm, erect, alertly mobile.
Neck:	Short, rounded, well-muscled, masculine, full throat.
Body:	Very wide, deep and angular, symmetrical with well-sprung ribs, straight topline and medium, short, slightly sloping rump with tail carried high.
Legs & Feet:	Short (especially cannons and pasterns), sturdy, wide/squarely et, straight, strong, well-muscled, resilient, deep-heeled.
Coat:	Full, straight, thick, medium-long, heavy, copious beard and mane.
Colors:	Any color or pattern acceptable with black and agouti predominant as in does.
Reproductive Organs:	Well developed and supported with evenly spaced, rudimentary teats.

 

Visit our Breeds & Breeding forum section and our milking section!