Raising one or a few dairy goats on your farm can be a good source of nutritious milk for your family. But selecting a suitable dairy goat breed for your farm can be challenging.
Many factors affect your selection. They include the breed’s temperament, milk production capacity, the butterfat content, among others.
Here are eleven of the best dairy goat breeds to help you make an informed choice:
Table of Contents
1. Nubian Goat
Nubians are one of the top dairy goat breeds that originated in southern Egypt. Long drooping ears, a protruding lower jaw, and a curved roman nose distinguish Nubians.
Also, they have short glossy fur and small upturned tails.
They produce quality milk with high butterfat suitable for drinking and making cheese, butter, yogurt, or ice cream.
- Average size: adult Nubians stand at least 30 inches and weigh 100 to 250 pounds (45 to 113 kilograms).
- Milk production: about 1.5 gallons average per day with 5% or more butterfat content
- Temperament: docile, sweet, and friendly
- Life expectancy: 10 to 15 years
- Colors: black, tan, and red
Pros:
- Prolific mothers
- Heat tolerant
- Highly muscular
- Fewer health issues
- High milk butterfat content and protein
Cons:
- Vocal
- Notorious for escaping
- Vulnerable to frostbite on their ears
2. Alpine Goat
The French Alpine, also known as the Alpine dairy goat, originated from the Alps in France. This breed is usually short-haired. However, the bucks have long hair along the backbone.
The Alpine is a hardy breed that easily adapts to diverse climates without affecting their health or milk production.
- Average size: females stand at least 30 inches and weigh about 135 pounds (61 kilograms). Bucks weigh at least 170 pounds (77 kilograms) and stand 34 inches.
- Milk production: 1 gallon to 2 gallons per day with 3.5% butterfat content
- Temperament; curious and friendly
- Life expectancy: 8 to 12 years
- Colors: white, brown, bluff, black, piebald, and gray, but some have various shades or combinations.
Pros:
- Easy to milk
- They don’t require a lot of space
- Sweet nature
Cons:
- High feed intake
- Energetic and can jump over goat fences easily
3. Pygmy Goat
The Pygmy is a small-statured and adorable dairy goat breed. If you are a homesteader, the pygmy goat can be your ideal companion, giving you quality milk and meat.
They are also fearless of trail obstacles and water. You will also find them full of vigor and vitality.
Pygmy bucks are highly masculine.
- Average size: females stand 16 to 22 inches and weigh 40 to 70 pounds (18 to 31 kilograms). Males stand 16 to 23 inches and weigh 50 to 70 pounds (22 to 31 kilograms).
- Milk production: about 1.5 gallons average per day with 4.6% to 10% or more butterfat content
- Temperament: gentle, bold, and friendly but also assertive
- Life expectancy: 10 to 15 years
- Colors: reddish brown or light tan with black dorsal and lower legs stripes
Pros:
- Milk has a long shelf life
- Hardy and disease resistant
- High milk butterfat content
- Less feed requirement
- Easy to transport and handle
Cons:
- Requires boredom busters
- Teats are small and hard to milk
- Vocal tendencies
4. Toggenburg Goat
Toggenburgs are one of the most ancient dairy goat breeds originating in Switzerland. A straight face characterizes this breed with full beards. They also have erected ears and unique white color patterns covering their lower legs.
Female Toggenburgs have a well-developed udder and are high milk producers.
- Average size: females stand about 31 inches, while bucks stand at least 35 inches. The average weight is about 120 pounds (54 kilograms).
- Milk production: about 1 to 2 gallons average per day with 2% -3% butterfat content
- Temperament: they have an assertive personality, and they are alert and active
- Life expectancy: 8 to 12 years
- Colors: pale fawn to deep chocolate brown
Pros:
- Cold tolerant
- Intelligent
- High milk production
- Sweet flavored milk
Cons:
- Low milk butterfat content
- Low heat tolerance
5. Guernsey Goat
The Guernsey, also known as the Golden Guernsey, is a humble dairy goat breed that originated in the Channel Islands. The Guernsey dairy goat produces high-quality milk with high butterfat content. Their milk is ideal for making yogurt and cheese.
This goat breed is perfect if you have a small farm space and want quality homemade milk for your family.
This goat is physically unmistakable due to its fringing, longer fur located on its hind legs. And most male Guernseys have unique backward-curved horns.
- Average size: females stand about 26 inches and weigh approximately 120 pounds (54 kilograms). Males stand at least 28 inches and weigh about 150 pounds (68 kilograms).
- Milk production: about 0.5 gallons per day with 3.72% butterfat content
- Temperament: calm, affectionate, and suitable as household pets and milkers
- Life expectancy: 8 to 12 years
- Colors: shades of gold ranging from deep bronze to pale blonde
Pros:
- Suitable for any farm size
- Sweet personality
- Nice appearance
Cons:
- Rare breed
- Moderate milk production
6. Saanen Goat
Saanens are among the most productive dairy goat breeds. This breed originated in the Saanen valley, central Switzerland, and is present in over 80 countries. They have short, fine fur and erect ears.
Although they are the highest producers, their milk has low butterfat content, around 3%. Saanen goats are prone to sunburn and thrive better in cool areas.
- Average size: mature females stand 30 inches or taller and weigh about 135 pounds (61 kilograms). Bucks stand at least 32 inches and weigh not less than 160 pounds (72 kilograms).
- Milk production: about 2 gallons average per day with 3% butterfat content
- Temperament: calm and good family companions
- Life expectancy: about ten years
- Colors: white and creamy white
Pros:
- Calm, quiet, and friendly
- Easy to handle
- High milk production (1.5 to 3 gallons per day)
Cons:
- Low butterfat milk content
- They require more space
- Susceptible to sunburns
7. Lamancha Goat
If you want a dependable dairy goat that can give you a steady supply of quality milk, you should try Lamanchas.
This breed is best known for having tiny outer ears and unique sounds. You can milk them for up to two years before freshening them. Plus, the Lamancha is a hardy goat breed that is adaptable to diverse conditions.
Moreover, they can maintain milk production in all climates.
- Average size: females stand 28 inches and weigh 130 pounds (59 kilograms). Bucks stand 30 inches and weigh about 160 pounds (72 kilograms).
- Milk production: about 2 gallons per day with a butterfat content of about 4%.
- Temperament: easy going, friendly, and easy to handle
- Life expectancy: 7 to 10 years
- Colors: they can be of any color that occurs in goats
Pros:
- Adaptable to tough climates
- Disease resistant
- Easy to handle
- Mild flavored milk
Cons:
- Requires special hygiene
- Odd appearance
8. Sable Goat
Sable is another leading dairy goat breed with the exact origin of the Saanen. The two are similar in everything except the coloring.
The color difference results from the interaction of recessive genes from the parents. Saanen offspring inherit dormant genes for white color. The Sable inherits the recessive genes and can be any color other than white and creamy white.
- Average size: a mature doe stands 30 inches or taller and weighs about 135 pounds (61 kilograms). Bucks stand at least 32 inches and weigh not less than 160 pounds (72 kilograms).
- Milk production: about 2 gallons per day with 3% butterfat content
- Temperament: calm and a good family companion
- Life expectancy: about ten years
- Colors: any color or combination of various colors
Pros:
- Top milk producer
- Calm and friendly
- Easy to handle
Cons:
- Low butterfat milk content
- They require more space
- Their milk is less creamy
9. Nigerian Dwarf Goat
If you want a pet goat that can also give you quality milk, the Nigerian dwarf is an ideal choice. This breed is friendly, gentle, and easy to handle, even for young children. It is also suitable for urban settings.
The Nigerian dwarf is a small-sized dairy goat breed that originated in west Africa. Despite their small size, they produce a good quantity of milk. Moreover, their milk has the highest butterfat and protein quantities.
- Average size: females stand about 22.5 inches, bucks 23.5 inches, and weigh around 75 pounds (34 kilograms).
- Milk production: about 0.5 gallons average per day with 6%-10% butterfat content
- Temperament: gentle and friendly
- Life expectancy: approximately 15 years
- Colors: chocolate, black, or gold, but some are spotted or have color combinations.
Pros:
- Can bear triplets or quadruplets
- Suitable for small farms
- Low feed intake
- Highest milk butterfat content
- Exceptional maternal instincts
Cons:
- Most people use them as pets rather than dairy animals
- Good escapees
10. Oberhasli Goat
Oberhasli is another leading dairy goat breed originating from Switzerland. This breed produces tasty milk and will supply you with milk all year long, like the Nubian breed. This breed has a straight face and erect ears.
Another notable feature about this breed is that they usually conceive twins or triplets.
- Average size: females have a height of at least 32 inches and weigh about 120 pounds (54 kilograms). Males stand about 34 inches and weigh at least 150 pounds (68 kilograms).
- Milk production: about 1.5 gallons average per day with about 3.6% butterfat content
- Temperament: alert, gentle, and friendly
- Life expectancy: about ten years
- Colors: reddish brown or dark tan and those with recessive genes may have a black coat.
Pros:
- Adaptable to diverse conditions
- Stable disposition
- Tasty milk
Cons:
- Scarce breed
- Vocal tendencies
- Notorious for escaping
11. Jamunapari Goat
Jamunapari is a famous Indian dairy goat breed also common in southern Asia. They have a beautiful, unique look with long, drooping ears. The Jamunapari is a hardy breed that thrives well in semi-arid regions.
- Average size: males stand 31 inches and weigh 100 pounds (45 kilograms). Females weigh 80 pounds (36 kilograms) and stand 29 inches.
- Milk production: 0.5 gallons per day average with 5% butterfat content
- Temperament: docile and quick learners
- Life expectancy: about 10 to 12 years
- Colors: white with tan patches on the head and neck
Pros:
- Fewer health issues
- Adaptive to tough conditions
- Beautiful appearance
- Tasty milk
- High milk butterfat content
Cons:
- High feed requirement
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to start commercial milk production or maintain a steady supply for your family, you have numerous choices. But you must select the most suitable dairy goat breed for your farm to get maximum milk yield. We hope this guide has helped you make the best choice.
Resources
I wrote this article using my experience raising goats and the following sources.
- https://goats.extension.org/goat-breeds-alpine/
- https://cosleyzoo.org/nubian-goat/
- https://extension.psu.edu/dairy-goat-production
- https://www.oregonzoo.org/discover/animals/nigerian-dwarf-goat
- https://zooatlanta.org/animal/saanen-goat
- https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/goats/breeds/toggenburg
- https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/heritage-breeds-list/oberhasli-goat/
- https://www.rbst.org.uk/golden-guernsey
- http://www.rarebreedgoats.co.uk/rare-native-breed-goats/golden-guernsey-goats
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/animal-genetic-resources-resources-genetiques-animales-recursos-geneticos-animales/article/abs/characterisation-of-jamunapari-goats-in-their-home-tract/
- https://www.aqua-calc.com/calculate/food-weight-to-volume/substance/goat-quote-s-blank-milk-coma-and-blank-whole
- https://www.goatfarming.in/golden-guernsey-goat-characteristics
- https://www.oregonzoo.org/discover/animals/pygmy-goat
- https://goats.extension.org/goat-breeds-lamancha/
- https://goats.extension.org/goat-breeds-sable/