Dairy Goat Breeds

BREED STANDARD
The Alpine Dairy Goat is also referred to as the French Alpine and registration papers for this dairy goat use both designations and they are synonymous. The Alpine dairy goat is a medium to large size animal, alertly graceful, with erect ears, offering all colors and combinations of colors with distinction and individuality of appearance. They are hardy, adaptable animals that thrive in any climate while maintaining good health and excellent production. The hair is medium to short. The face is straight. A Roman nose, Toggenburg color and markings, or all-white is discriminated against.

ALPINE COLORS are described by using the following terms:
COU BLANC (coo blanc)—literally “white neck”—white front quarters and black hindquarters with black or gray markings on the head.
COU CLAIR (coo clair)—literally “clear neck”—front quarters are tan, saffron, off-white, or shading to gray with black hindquarters.
COU NOIR (coo nwah)—literally “black neck”—black front quarters and white hindquarters.
SUNDGAU (sundgow)—black with white markings such as underbody, facial stripes, etc.
PIED—spotted or mottled.
CHAMOISEE(shamwahzay)—brown or bay—characteristic markings are black face, dorsal stripe, feet and legs, and sometimes a martingale running over the withers and down to the chest. Spelling for male is chamoise.
TWO-TONE CHAMOISEE—light front quarters with brown or gray hindquarters. This is not a cou blanc or cou clair as these terms are reserved for animals with black hindquarters.
BROKEN CHAMOISEE—a solid chamoisee broken with another color by being banded or splashed, etc. Any variation in the above patterns broken with white should be described as a broken pattern such as a broken cou blanc.

BREED CLUB – ALPINES INTERNATIONAL
The Alpines International Club was founded in 1958 to develop, preserve and promote the Alpine Dairy Goat. This non-profit club serves to connect all Alpine enthusiasts by providing a forum through which they can share information, news and ideas. Alpines International invites anyone with an interest in the Alpine breed to become a member. Back to Top of Page

LAMANCHA

BREED STANDARD
The LaMancha goat was developed in the U.S.A. It has excellent dairy temperament and is an all-around sturdy animal that can withstand a great deal of hardship and still produce. Through official testing this breed has established itself in milk production with high butterfat. The LaMancha face is straight with the ears being the distinctive breed characteristic. There are two types of LaMancha ears. In does one type of ear has no advantage over the other.

The “gopher ear” is described as follows: an approximate maximum length of one inch (2.54 cm) but preferably nonexistent and with very little or no cartilage. The end of the ear must be turned up or down. This is the only type of ear which will make bucks eligible for registration.
The “elf ear” is described as follows: an approximate maximum length of two inches (5.08 cm) is allowed, the end of the ear must be turned up or turned down and cartilage shaping the small ear is allowed.
The ear is to be measured with a rigid measure placed firmly against the head at the base of the ear that is neither pulled nor stretched. Natural folds and creases of the ear are to be unaltered during measurement.Any color or combination of colors is acceptable with no preferences. The hair is short, fine and glossy.

BREED CLUB – THE AMERICAN LAMANCHA CLUB
The present American LaMancha was accepted as a breed for registry on January 27, 1958 with the first tru LaMancha being Fay’s Ernie L-1. Approximately 200 animals were accepted as original stock. Since then, the tiny-eared dairy goats have spread throughout the country and are enjoying a surge in popularity, due largely to their dairy character adaptability, and of course, their most well-know feature, or should we say lack of it – no ears. Back to Top of Page

NIGERIAN DWARF

BREED STANDARD
The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature breed of dairy goat originating in West Africa and developed in the United States. The balanced proportions of the Nigerian Dwarf give it the appearance of the larger breeds of dairy goats, but does stand no more than 22.5″ (57cm) and bucks no more than 23.5″ (60cm). Any color or combination of colors is acceptable. The medium length ears are erect and alert. The face is either straight or dished, and the hair is short and fine.

BREED CLUB – AMERICAN DAIRY NIGERIAN GOAT ASSOCIATION
ANDDA serves the needs of both those who have a serious interest in the milking potential of Nigerian Dwarf goats, those who would like to learn more about dairy conformation and dairy character in this breed, and/or who simply appreciate the beauty, elegance and reproductive soundness of a dairy-proportioned Nigerian Dwarf goat. Back to Top of Page

NUBIAN

BREED STANDARD

The Nubian is a relatively large, proud, and graceful dairy goat of mixed Asian, African, and European origin, known for high quality, high butterfat, milk production. The head is the distinctive breed characteristic, with the facial profile between the eyes and the muzzle being strongly convex (Roman nose). The ears are long (extending at least one inch [2.54 cm] beyond the muzzle when held flat along the face), wide and pendulous. They lie close to the head at the temple and flare slightly out and well forward at the rounded tip, forming a“bell” shape. The ears are not thick, with the cartilage well defined. The hair is short, fine and glossy. Any color or colors, solid or patterned, is acceptable.

BREED CLUB – INTERNATIONAL NUBIAN BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
The International Nubian Breeders Association is a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is advancing and promoting the Nubian breed of dairy goats through a vast collaboration of Nubian breeders across the country and worldwide. Back to Top of Page

OBERHASLI

BREED STANDARD
The Oberhasli is a Swiss dairy goat. This breed is a medium size, vigorous and alert in appear ance. Its color is chamoisee. Does may be black but chamoisee is preferred. Chamoisee is described as: Bay—ranging from light to a deep red bay with the latter most desirable. A few white hairs through the coat and about the ears are permitted. Markings are to be: two black stripes down the face from above each eye to a black muzzle; forehead nearly all black, black stripes from the base of each ear coming to a point just back of the poll and continuing along the neck and back as a dorsal stripe to the tail; a black belly and light gray to black udder; black legs below the knees and hocks; ears black inside and bay outside. Buck s often have more black on the head than does, black whiskers, and black hair along the shoulder and lower chest with a mantle of black along the back. Bucks frequently have more white hairs through the coat than does. Ears should be erect and alertly carried. The face is straight or dished. A Roman nose is discriminated against.

BREED CLUBS

OBERHASLI BREEDERS OF AMERICA
The Oberhasli Breeders of America (OBA) club was organized in 1976 to preserve, promote, and develop the Oberhasli breed

OBERHASLI BREED CLUB
The Oberhasli Goat Club was founded to promote the Oberhasli goat breed and to recognize the breed’s versatile abilities through awards for excellence in production, performance, and appraisal. Back to Top of Page

SAANEN

BREED STANDARD
The Saanen dairy goat origin ated in Switzerland. It is medium to large in size with rugged bone and plenty of vigor. Does should be feminine, however, and not coarse. Saanens are white or light cream in color, with white preferred. Spots on the skin are not discriminated against. Small spots of color on the hair are allowable, but not desirable. The hair should be short and fine, although a fringe over the spine and thighs is often present. Ears should be erect and alertly carried, preferably pointing forward. The face should be straight or dished. A tendency toward a Roman nose is discriminated against.

BREED CLUB – NATIONAL SAANEN BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
The National Saanen Breeders Association celebrates 70 years of dedicated service to the Saanen breed of dairy goats. Back to Top of Page

SABLE

BREED STANDARD
The Sable dairy goat is medium to large in size with rugged bone and plenty of vigor. Does should be feminine, however, and not coarse. Their hair is short; ears should be erect and alertly carried, preferably pointing forward. The face should be straight or dished. The Sable may be any color or combination of colors, solid or patterned, EXCEPT solid white or solid light cream.

BREED CLUB – INTERNATIONAL SABLE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
The International Sable Breeders Association’s mission is to expand interest, inspire new breeders, promote the breed, and preserve the heritage of the Sable dairy goat, in all its colorful forms. Back to Top of Page

TOGGENBURG

BREED STANDARD
The Toggenburg is a Swiss dairy goat from the Toggenburg Valley of Switzerland. This breed is of medium size, sturdy, vigorous, and alert in appearance. The hair is short to long in length, soft and fine. Its color is solid, varying from light fawn to dark chocolate with no preference for any shade. Distinct white markings are as follows: white ears with dark spot in middle; two white stripes down the face from above each eye to the muzzle; hind legs white from hocks to hooves; forelegs white from knees downward with dark vertical stripe below knee acceptable; a white triangle on each side of the tail; white spot may be present at root of wattles or in that area if no wattles are present. Varying degrees of cream markings instead of pure white acceptable, but not desirable. The ears are erect and carried forward. Facial lines may be dished or straight, never Roman.

BREED CLUB – THE NATIONAL TOGGENBURG CLUB T
he National Toggenburg Club is a loosely-knit organization of Toggenburg breeders and fanciers devoted to the promotion of our favorite breed of dairy goats.

GUERNSEY The Guernsey is a recognized breed of the American Dairy Goat Association. The herdbook for the breed is being established with the re-write of the database software. Currently animals of this breed cannot be registered with the ADGA.

BREED STANDARD
The Guernsey dairy goat was developed using genetics from the rare Golden Guernsey Goats, an official dairy breed registered with the British Goat Society. The Guernsey dairy goat is medium in size. The ears are erect and often set slightly lower than Swiss breeds and carried horizontally, or forward in what is termed the “bonnet” position when viewed in profile. Ear tips can be slightly upturned. The ears must not be pendulous. The nose should be either straight or dished. The Guernsey coat/hair color should be shades of gold, ranging from very pale flaxen cream to deep russet or bronze. Full or partial roaning; white patches; white face; star/blaze are acceptable. The golden body color should be dominant, with no preference shown to any shade or pattern. Hair may be short or long and flowing or a combination of both. A long curtain, skirt, and/or dorsal fringe of body hair are desirable, although not required to meet standard. Skin color must display a gold tone, ranging from peachy-flesh to orange-gold in one or more of these places; muzzle, ears, eyes, under tail, mammary or scrotum. Swiss facial stripes and/or rump marking; black markings or spots over 1 ½ inches are not allowed.

BREED CLUB – GUERNSEY GOAT BREEDERS OF AMERICA
The Guernsey Goat Breeders of America (GGBoA) is a non-profit breed association whose purpose is the promotion and development of the Guernsey Goat Breed, both Golden Guernsey and British Guernsey; the education of others about the Guernsey goat breed; the promotion of fellowship among the members through correspondence, meetings, news, and ideas; and cooperation with other organizations engaged in the promotion and development of the dairy goat industry in general. Back to Top of Page

Dairy Goat Breeds

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