Which Dairy Goat Breed is the Best?
You finally bought a property with enough room for a few goats. When you head over to the auction or look for animals for sale online, you are faced with tons of different goat breeds. Which dairy goat is the best? What makes them different? Do the different breeds have different personalities? Your mind is in turmoil, and you have no idea where to begin.
Luckily for you, I know a few things about goats and what makes the different breeds unique. So, in this article I am going to go over some of the best goat breeds out there and what makes them so fantastic.
Specifically, I am going to cover these ten goat breeds:
- Saanen
- Alpine
- Toggenburg
- Nubian
- Oberhasli
- Nigerian Dwarf
- Anglo-Nubian
- LaMancha
- Golden Guernsey
- Jamunapari
Now that you know what we are going to cover in this article and the specific breeds we are going to talk about, let’s dive right in and get started! There is a lot to cover!
What Should You Consider When Choosing Which Breed of Goat to Bring Home?
Before you actually get a herd of goats for your homestead, it is a good idea to make sure that you have everything they need to thrive. As such, there are a few things you need to consider before you bring home any breed of goat. In this section I am going to go over some of the key considerations before you bring home your delightful bleating goat friend.
What Do You Want Your Goats For?
There are hundreds of goat breeds out there. Not all of them are for milk. Before you pick a breed for their look or colours, you need to make sure that they are going to give you everything you need. If you need meat, then getting a dairy goat is not the best idea as they were not bred for their meat and will not have as much.
The same goes for those of you that need a dairy animal. Picking a breed of goat that was meant to be a milker will obviously be best. So, take note of what you need your goats for and pick a breed according to that knowledge.
How Big Do You Want Your Goats?
Goats come in all shapes and sizes. So picking a breed of goat that is the right size for you is important. If you do not have as much room on your property then a smaller breed like Nigerian Dwarf goats might be a good bet for you.
If you are capable of caring for larger goats you could go for a different breed entirely. The main point here is to carefully assess how large you want your animals to be and what you can handle on your property.
How Much Room and What Terrain is Available?
Goats need a fair amount of room. They need grazing pastures, shelter, and plenty of room to run around. If your property does not have enough space for your goats to thrive, you may need to rethink getting them. Or go for a smaller breed that does not need as much room.
What Temperament Do You Want from Your Animal?
Just like all goats come in different sizes, they also have different personalities. There are some breeds like Boer Goats that are known for being aggressive. As such, it is important to understand what the temperament of your goat breed will be like. So, make sure to do your research so that you end up with the perfect dairy goat for your farm.
A Few Fantastic Goat Breeds
Now that you know what you need to think about before you purchase your first few goats, I can finally go over the breeds, and tell you everything you need to know about each of them.
1. Saanen
These white goats are originally from Switzerland, which coincidentally is where they get their name from. Over hundreds of years these goats have been selectively bred to create the powerhouse you see today.
This breed of goat is well known for their excellent milk production. I have listed a few of the main statistics regarding the milk production of this breed:
- Milk Production – Typically produces 2 ½ gallons of milk per day.
- Butterfat – Milk usually contains about 3% butterfat.
- Lactation – 300 days.
For those of you that need to know the size, lifespan, and temperament of this breed, I have listed these points below:
- Average Lifespan – 9 to 15 years.
- Average Height – Between 30 and 32 inches at the shoulder.
- Average Weight – These goats can weigh between 135 pounds and 170 pounds.
- Temperament – These goats are known for being friendly, calm, and sweet.
There are pros and cons to everything I have listed a few of the main pros and cons below for you to consider:
Pros
- These goats produce a lot of milk. Between 1.5 and 3 gallons is normal.
- Because of their sweet nature, these goats are easy to handle.
- The temperament of these goats is exemplary, they are quiet, calm, and friendly.
Cons
- The butterfat in the milk these goats produce is quite low.
- The milk Saanen goats produce is not as creamy as other breeds.
- These are quite large and heavy animals that need quite a bit of space.
Overall, this breed is highly impressive and will produce you a ton of milk. They are larger animals and their milk is not high in butterfat. But they are a great breed that you will certainly like if you want a sweet animal that produces high quantities of milk.
2. Alpine
Alpine goats are medium to large in size and are a very famous breed of milking goat. They come in a range of colours and are naturally horned. The Alpine goat breed originated in the French Alps.
This breed of goat is well known for their excellent milk production. I have listed a few of the main statistics regarding the milk production of this breed:
- Milk Production – These goats usually produce about 2 gallons of milk per day.
- Butterfat – The average butterfat for this breed is about 3.5%.
- Lactation – 288
For those of you that need to know the size, lifespan, and temperament of this breed, I have listed these points below:
- Average Lifespan – Between 15 and 18 years.
- Average Height – An adult Alpine goat is about 3o inches tall at the shoulders.
- Average Weight – Between 125 and 135 pounds.
- Temperament – These goats are quite friendly and gentle.
There are pros and cons to everything I have listed a few of the main pros and cons below for you to consider:
Pros
- These goats are quite easy to milk.
- The temperament of this breed of goat is sweet and calm.
- These goats do not need as much space as other goat breeds.
Cons
- These are quite fast goats that can quickly cross fences.
- The feeding requirements of this breed are quite high.
If you want a friendly goat on your farm that is sweet, friendly, and gentle, this breed might suit your needs.
3. Toggenburg
These goats are originally from Switzerland, their name comes from where they were bred which is in the Obertoggenburg and Werdenberg valleys.
This breed of goat is well known for their excellent milk production. I have listed a few of the main statistics regarding the milk production of this breed:
- Milk Production – This breed produces about 2 gallons of milk per day.
- Butterfat – These goats produce about 3.7% butterfat.
- Lactation – 288 days.
For those of you that need to know the size, lifespan, and temperament of this breed, I have listed these points below:
- Average Lifespan – Between 8 and 12 years.
- Average Height – These goats stand at between 27.5 inches and 29.5 inches.
- Average Weight – These goats weigh between 120 pounds and 154 pounds.
- Temperament – These goats are known for being quite gentle.
There are pros and cons to everything I have listed a few of the main pros and cons below for you to consider:
Pros
- These are very smart goats.
- Toggenburg goats are quite hardy in cold weather.
- This breed produces quite a lot of milk.
- The milk these goats produce is sweet.
- The feeding requirements for this breed is low.
Cons
- The butterfat in the milk these goats produce is low.
- These goats are not very heat tolerant.
These are stocky and well-built animals that are bred to be tough and strong. Their milk production is fantastic and they are gentle animals.
4. Nubian
The Nubian goat breed, this term originated in France and was where these goats were originally shipped from Eastern Mediterranean Nubia.
This breed of goat is well known for their excellent milk production. I have listed a few of the main statistics regarding the milk production of this breed:
- Milk Production – Typically produces about 1 gallon of milk per day.
- Butterfat – Milk from this goat contains about 4.9% butterfat.
- Lactation – 288 days
For those of you that need to know the size, lifespan, and temperament of this breed, I have listed these points below:
- Average Lifespan – Between 12 and 15 years.
- Average Height – These goats can stand up to about 30 inches at the shoulder.
- Average Weight – A full-grown Nubian can weigh between 100 pounds and 250 pounds.
- Temperament – These goats tend to be quite vocal and can be a little dramatic.
There are pros and cons to everything I have listed a few of the main pros and cons below for you to consider:
Pros
- The milk produced by these goats has high protein and butterfat.
- These are great animals for warmer climates as they can tolerate high temperatures well.
- These are quite muscular animals.
- Typically, these animals do not have a lot of health issues.
Cons
- This breed is known for being quite loud.
- Nubian goats are brilliant at escaping.
- The long pendulous ears can be susceptible to frostbite.
These goats are a little noisy but overall they are sweet and easy to care for. They produce a fair amount of milk and are naturally very healthy animals with few breed health issues.
5. Oberhasli
Otherwise known as Oberhasli Brienzer, this Swiss goat originated in the Swiss regions of Bern, Freiburg, Glarus, and Graubünden.
This breed of goat is well known for their excellent milk production. I have listed a few of the main statistics regarding the milk production of this breed:
- Milk Production – You will typically get 1 gallon of milk per day.
- Butterfat – These goats produce milk with about 3.8% butterfat.
- Lactation – 290
For those of you that need to know the size, lifespan, and temperament of this breed, I have listed these points below:
- Average Lifespan – About 10 years or more.
- Average Height – On average these goats are between 28 inches and 30 inches tall.
- Average Weight – Between 120 and 150 pounds.
- Temperament – This breed is known for being calm and sensible.
There are pros and cons to everything I have listed a few of the main pros and cons below for you to consider:
Pros
- These goats have a lovely personality.
- These are quite adaptable animals that can do well in different climates.
- The milk these animals produce is delicious and sweet.
- These are hardy animals.
Cons
- This breed can be a little noisy.
- These goats are fantastic escape artists.
- This breed can be rare and hard to come by.
This breed is fairly new to the USA, but they are an excellent dairy animal that ticks just about all the boxes. Just make sure that their new home is escape proof as these goats tend to be little Houdini escape artists.
6. Nigerian Dwarf
Nigerian Dwarf goats are a new miniature breed of dairy goat. They are similar to the Pygmy goat breed but with specific breeding to make them dairy animals. If you do not have a lot of room this miniature breed might be just what you need.
This breed of goat is well known for their excellent milk production. I have listed a few of the main statistics regarding the milk production of this breed:
- Milk Production – Typically produces about ½ a gallon of milk per day.
- Butterfat – The butterfat for this breed is usually between 6% and 10%.
- Lactation – 305 Days
For those of you that need to know the size, lifespan, and temperament of this breed, I have listed these points below:
- Average Lifespan – 15 to 20 years.
- Average Height – The average height for this breed is between 22.5 inches and 23.5 inches at the shoulder.
- Average Weight – About 75 pounds for a full-grown Nigerian Dwarf goat.
- Temperament – These goats are quite docile, and gentle, but they can be aggressive if they feel threatened.
There are pros and cons to everything I have listed a few of the main pros and cons below for you to consider:
Pros
- The feed requirements are quite low for this breed of goat.
- If you only have a small area, these goats will be ideal for you.
- These goats have an extraordinary high butterfat content.
- The maternal instincts for this breed are typically excellent.
- These goats are known for having three to four kids at a time.
Cons
- Nigerian dwarf goats are excellent little escape artists.
- A lot of these goats are used as pets instead of milkers.
These goats are overall a fantastic breed, especially if you have never owned goats before. They are small, friendly, and create a decent amount of milk. The only downside is that they are not common outside the USA.
7. Anglo-Nubian
This goat breed is very popular in the dairy goat community. They produce excellent quality milk, are reasonably easy to care for, and their personalities tend to be lovely and docile.
This breed of goat is well known for their excellent milk production. I have listed a few of the main statistics regarding the milk production of this breed:
- Milk Production – These goats produce about 1 gallon of milk per day.
- Butterfat – The butterfat for this breed is about 5%.
- Lactation – 236
For those of you that need to know the size, lifespan, and temperament of this breed, I have listed these points below:
- Average Lifespan – Up to 15 years.
- Average Height – Between 32 inches and 37 inches.
- Average Weight – Between 135 pounds and 175 pounds.
- Temperament – These goats are known for being docile and very friendly.
There are pros and cons to everything I have listed a few of the main pros and cons below for you to consider:
Pros
- The milk these goats produce is high quality and has a lot of butterfat.
- Anglo-nubian goats are very adaptable and can do well in many regions.
- These are docile and friendly goats that will get along with the whole family.
- These goats yield high quantities of milk.
Cons
- These goats can be a little high maintenance due to the special grooming and feeding.
- Anglo-nubian goats tend to be quite noisy animals.
- You will need a fair amount of space to keep these goats happy and healthy.
If you want a large dairy goat with a great personality and do not mind noisy animals on your property, this breed will be perfect for you.
8. LaMancha
If you do not mind the odd look of this breed of goat, this breed can be fantastic. They produce a lot of delicious creamy milk while also being easy to care for.
This breed of goat is well known for their excellent milk production. I have listed a few of the main statistics regarding the milk production of this breed:
- Milk Production – Typically this breed produces 1 gallon of milk per day.
- Butterfat – The average butter fat for this breed is about 4%.
- Lactation – 288 days.
For those of you that need to know the size, lifespan, and temperament of this breed, I have listed these points below:
- Average Lifespan – 7 to 10 years.
- Average Height – Between 24 inches and 28 inches at the shoulder.
- Average Weight – These goats weigh between 130 and 165 pounds.
- Temperament – Generally these goats are quiet and sweet natured.
There are pros and cons to everything I have listed a few of the main pros and cons below for you to consider:
Pros
- These animals are easy to handle and care for.
- They typically do not have a slew of health issues.
- These animals can adapt to fairly harsh climates easily.
- The milk these goats produce is mild and tasty.
Cons
- These goats have a strange appearance many people do not like.
- The hygiene requirements for this breed are quite specific.
I personally do not like the breed due to the seemingly cruel breeding choice that has led to these goats not having ears. But they are good dairy animals with sweet personalities. If you like these quirky goats they can be phenomenal dairy animals.
9. Golden Guernsey
These goats originated in the United Kingdom, specifically from the Channel Islands. They are well known dairy animals with high levels of protein and butterfat. If you do not have a lot of land, these goats will be ideal for you. They do not need tons of land to graze. But enough room is important to keep them happy.
This breed of goat is well known for their excellent milk production. I have listed a few of the main statistics regarding the milk production of this breed:
- Milk Production – These goats produce about 1 ½ gallons of milk per day.
- Butterfat – The milk from these goats typically contains 3.7% butterfat.
- Lactation – 250 days.
For those of you that need to know the size, lifespan, and temperament of this breed, I have listed these points below:
- Average Lifespan – Between 11 and 12 years.
- Average Height – Between 26 inches and 28 inches.
- Average Weight – Between 190 pounds and 200 pounds.
There are pros and cons to everything I have listed a few of the main pros and cons below for you to consider:
Pros
- These goats are quite easy to handle due to their temperament.
- The fat content of the milk these goats produce is quite high.
- This breed does not require a lot of room or food.
- This breed adapts easily to different climates.
Cons
- There is a small population of these goats.
- They are not ideal for meat.
- They do not live very long.
If you need a sweet, and adaptable goat to add to your farm, this breed will be just what you have been looking for. Sadly, these goats are not known for super long lives, but that does not make them a bad choice.
10. Jamunapari
These goats originated in India and are a fantastic domestic breed. They have been bred for both milk and meat which makes them uniquely ideal for people that want an animal that can do both.
This breed of goat is well known for their excellent milk production. I have listed a few of the main statistics regarding the milk production of this breed:
- Milk Production – 475 pounds
- Butterfat – 3% to 5 % is normal for this breed.
- Lactation – 220 days.
For those of you that need to know the size, lifespan, and temperament of this breed, I have listed these points below:
- Average Lifespan – 10 to 12 years.
- Average Height – Between 32 inches and 35 inches.
- Average Weight – Between 110 pounds and 198 pounds.
- Temperament – This breed is typically easy to handle and docile.
There are pros and cons to everything I have listed a few of the main pros and cons below for you to consider:
Pros
- A very healthy animal not prone to sickness.
- Has a very high milk productivity.
- These goats often have triplets and quadruplets.
Cons
- High quality food is required for this breed.
- Quite a rare goat breed.
The only real issue is that these goats are not very common, and they need very specific food to thrive. But if you do your research, these animals can be a fantastic addition to your little backyard farm.
FAQ
In this section I am going to answer some of your most frequently asked questions regarding dairy goats and which breeds might best suit your needs.
What is the Easiest Goat Breed to Milk?
Any breed of goat will produce milk but not all of them are very ‘dairy’. One of the best milking goats is the Saanen. They are known as the Queen of Milk because they are a super productive breed which produces milk that is lower in fat when compared to others.
Other notable milking breeds include Alpine, Toggenburg, and Oberhasli. All the different breeds have their pros and cons so make sure to choose carefully when you are deciding between these different breeds.
How Often Should You Milk a Goat?
If your goat is lactating, you should make sure to milk them twice a day. If you do not do this they start to feel discomfort and the milk production of the animal will go down.
The lactation of a goat typically lasts about three-hundred days. During this time the average doe will produce about two to three liters of milk per day. This number may differ depending on the breed.
What is the Calmest Dairy Goat?
One of the most calm, friendly, milking goats is the Saanen. So, if you want just a few milkers, and you have a family, this breed will be perfect for you. This breed is well known for being calm, and friendly animals that are well known for their milk production.
What Should You Do with Fresh Goat Milk?
Once you have milked your goat you need to pasteurize the milk so that the harmful bacteria are no longer present. There are a few ways you can do this. A double boiler, pasteurizer, canner, or a pot can be used to achieve pasteurization.
The milk should be heated up to seventy-four Degrees Celsius for fifteen seconds before you cool the milk. You should cool the milk as quickly as you can after heating it up. Once the milk is cool, store the milk in your refrigerator as you normally would.
What is the Best Forage for Dairy Goats?
There are three main stages a dairy goat goes through, and each stage requires different forage to maintain the health of the goat.
- During early-gestation and even mid-gestation your goat will do best if they are given Timothy or perhaps Orchard Grass.
- During late gestation, to give you pregnant does all the nutrition they need you should give them Alfalfa Grass Mix, or perhaps Alfalfa. Your does will need more calcium during this stage of pregnancy and these feed mixes will give them more than enough.
- When your doe is lactating you can give your does Alfalfa as well. This is because their bodies will need more protein and calcium to produce all that delicious milk.
On top of these forages, you should also give your milking goats hay. There are many varieties to choose from. So make sure to do your research before picking a variety of hay for your dairy goats.
Final Thoughts
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and learning about these fantastic breeds of goats. There are so many different varieties out there and each one is different.
Picking a breed that suits the space you have available, has a suitable personality, and produces enough milk is an important decision. So take care with your choice. Once you have the animal, you are tasked with the care of it even if they are not everything you hoped.
If you have enjoyed reading this article, make sure to check out some of my other articles. I cover a broad range of topics including Everything You Need to Know About Laying Hens, Which Plants Attract the Most Pests, How to Make Pasta At Home, and More. But we go over a lot of other topics as well. So, make sure to peruse the content we have to learn more.
Thanks for reading