| Since biblical times different breeds of goats have | | | | They are generally short-haired and have a high |
| provided milk, meat, skins and lots of fun to the | | | | average milk production. |
| people who owned them. No modern homestead | | | | Oberhasli |
| would be complete without at least two of these | | | | These wonderful animals have a red bay coat with |
| delightful animals in the backyard farm. | | | | black feet and face. |
| But how do you choose which kind you want? This | | | | They have a very sweet temperament and produce |
| brief outline will help you pick the right type for you. | | | | a delicious, slightly sweet milk. |
| What's Important To You? | | | | Toggenburg |
| Are you primarily interested in milk, or do you want | | | | These are the oldest known breed. They are slightly |
| to join the growing number of folks who raise Boers | | | | smaller than the Alpines. |
| for meat? Or are you interested primarily in mohair? | | | | Their hair is short or medium in length and is brown, |
| Making this decision early on will help you choose the | | | | either light or dark. They have a white stripe down |
| right one for you. | | | | each side of their faces. |
| Dairy Breeds - Nubian | | | | They also have white on either side of the tail and a |
| Nubians are popular because their milk has the highest | | | | white rump. |
| content of butterfat. | | | | They prefer cooler conditions, but have a high milk |
| They can be any color or color pattern, but all have | | | | production. |
| the same drooping ears and Roman noses. They are | | | | Nigerian Dwarf |
| designed to cope with heat and desert conditions. | | | | If you have a backyard farm, this is the type for |
| They tend to be large, but timid animals and can be | | | | you. These little girls are small, but they put out an |
| easily restrained. Nubians need company, and will cry - | | | | impressive amount of milk for their size. |
| loudly - if left alone. | | | | A Nigerian Dwarf will produce from 2-6 pounds of |
| LaMancha | | | | milk per day. |
| This is a great animal. The LaManchas are sweet | | | | They are ideal for families who just want a couple of |
| tempered on the whole and produce a good quantity | | | | gallons of milk per week. |
| of milk. | | | | The African Pygmy |
| They are also easy to recognize; they look like they | | | | Another small goat with an impressive output of milk. |
| have no ears. | | | | They are playful and affectionate. |
| Saanen | | | | They are excellent with children. |
| Pronounced SAH-nen, these are pure white goats | | | | Meat Goats - The Boer |
| with erect ears. They are large animals and heavy | | | | If you're interested primarily in meat, the most |
| milk producers. | | | | popular type is the Boer. But be warned, the Boer |
| Saanens prefer shade, so if you do decide to keep a | | | | are infamous for their escape tactics. They consider |
| couple of saanens, pen them in a shady spot. | | | | most fencing a challenge, and they are not much |
| French-Alpine | | | | good for milking. |
| The French Alpine originated in the Alps and comes in | | | | If you just want a little extra meat, the dairy goats |
| a variety of colors and markings. | | | | should provide sufficient meat when culls and |
| Breeders have emphasized size and production rather | | | | unwanted kids are butchered. |
| than color, so the French-Alpine may range from pure | | | | A Hairy Benefit |
| white through gray, brown, black and everything in | | | | Finally, Angoras are bred for their long silky mohair |
| between. | | | | and for their meat. |