Who’s Got Your Goat?

There are more than 300 goat breeds, which are under the genus Capra in the family Bovidae. Goats come in a variety of colors, sizes, and uses. They are raised for a variety of reasons, including hair fibers, dairy, meat, and even companionship. I would keep a goat as a companion and enjoy goat cheese.

The American pygmy goat originated from the West African Dwarf group. This breed makes for great pets due to their lovable and curious personalities. They make good dairy goats, but there are farmers who raise them for meat. Because of their docile, adjustable, and well-behaved nature, the American pygmy makes for great companion goats, suited for all age groups, from kids to adults.

The Angora goat breed is popular for the goat's silky, luxuriant fibers. They are raised for their high-quality mohair. Angora goats originated in Turkey and later spread to other countries. They are relatively small goats and come in gray, brown, or black colors. The Angora goat is named after Ankara, Turkey, which was historically known as Angora. They are very beautiful and mainly raised by the farmers for their mohair production. Wet conditions also damage the quality of their fiber/hair. Goat housing needs good ventilation for avoiding the moisture, especially during the winter season.

Boer is the largest goat breed on Earth. This comes from South Africa and is known for producing large quantities of meat. Farmers prize them for their fast rate of growth, their prolific reproduction, and the high quality of their meat. Boer goats are very beautiful with white bodies and brown heads. There are also some completely brown or white colored goats available. They have a pair of long and pendulous ears.  These goats were bred from the indigenous South African goats kept by the Namaqua, San, and Fooku tribes (with some crossing of Indian and European bloodlines being possible). Boer is naturally a friendly goat breed. They like to graze on grass and enjoy being outdoors. They are social and often prefer to live in groups.

Damascus goats have been called “goat monsters” because of the strange look. These goats have bulging foreheads, pendulous ears, and jutting underbites. This breed originated in Damascus, Syria, and spread through Cyprus and Lebanon. Farmers raise them for dairy, meat, and show. They have fluffy coats that are usually two-toned with various shades of a reddish brown and blond.

The LaMancha goat holds the title for being the only goat with no ears. They can hear but have no physical ears. This goat was developed in the US for both meat and milk. However, due to their sweet, gentle temperaments, they also make great pets. These goats are known for their high milk production. These goats originated in the United States in the early 20th century. They were first bred in California by Mrs. Eula Fay Frey. She wanted to create a goat breed with high milk production and good-tasting milk. LaManchas are very hardy animals. They can withstand a great deal of hardships and love to live in groups. They need a comfortable and safe place to stay and live and should have a shelter that protects them from harsh weather.

The Nigerian Dwarf goat is a West African dairy breed. They are kept by farmers due to their docile temperament and high rate of milk production. These goats also make great pets, being gentle and loving and getting along with both people and other livestock. These miniature goats first arrived in America during the 1950s by way of a dairy farmer from West Africa. The goats made the journey over on the ship basically as feeder animals for the big cats that were being transported to several zoos in the United States. Nigerian dwarf goats have coats that come in a variety of colors, although black or brown hair tends to be the most common. They are hardy animals and can not just survive but also thrive in nearly any type of climate.

The Saanen goat comes from Switzerland and is among the best dairy goat breeds on Earth. These goats have a sweet temperament and coats as white as snow. Being the largest of the dairy goat breeds, they require a large space to graze and play. This breed can provide plenty of milk and companionship for whoever takes them on as their breed. 

The Spanish goat breed originated in Spain and is one of the best meat goat breeds. (pictured at the top) There are six different types among them: Tinerfena and Malagliena. These are highly adaptable goats found all over the world. They have been called “brush goats” for their ability to clear unwanted species of plants from large areas. The Spanish goat was brought to North America by Spanish explorers in the 1500s. Since then, the breed has adapted to thrive in the wild in Mexico, the Caribbean, and the southern US. In fact, this is a breed that is extremely hardy and fairly self-sufficient.  They have long horns that swoop up and outward. At their points, horns tend to twist.  The coat can range from long hair to short hair, but some specimens among the breed produce a desirable, heavy, cashmere coat.  Spanish goats are a bit difficult to handle and a bit nervous.