10 Most Popular Goat Breeds

More and more people are turning to the self-sustainable living. In the fight for a greener planet, it seems we are slowly going back towards the days when most families had a few animals in their gardens. Grew their own vegetables which were actually organic as they were naturally fertilized and there was no genetically modified anything back then.
More and more we are seeing people keeping a few chickens and even ducks. Many of the new homesteaders I have met in my research into the top animal breeds have told stories of moving from their corporate world into the country lifestyle and leaving it all behind.
One of the animals that are becoming more and more popular are goats. Not only is their milk and meat more nutritious but they also give incredible wool fiber and make great pets.

TOP 10 MOST POPULAR GOAT BREEDS

Alpine Goat

The Alpine goat is a medium to large breed of goat that originates from Switzerland. They are known as the American Alpine goat in America and the British Alpine goat in Britain.
They are over the mountain goat variety and are very adaptable, agile and highly skilled climbers that can navigate the most precarious terrain.
They are a dairy goat and produce lots of nutritious milk. Continue Reading…

Saanen Goat

The Saanen goat is a dairy breed that originated in Switzerland it is a medium to large sized breed. The Saanen is very alert and quite friendly they are a very popular dairy goat breed. A true Saanen may only be either white or pale cream in color although some spots on the coat are generally accepted. If the Goat is any other color, then it is not a true Saanen but rather it becomes classified as a Sable or Sable Saanen goat breed. Continue Reading…

Angora Goat

The Angora goat breed is very popular for their expensive Mohair fiber that it produces. Even though it requires a bit more attention than other goats as they are prone to getting hyperthermia if their fur gets wet. They are still really popular for both their wonderful temperaments and their lovely Mohair coats.
They are a large breed and do require housing more than free-ranging especially if one if wanting to breed them for their coats.
Angora goats look a bit like a goat crossed with a wooly sheep!Continue Reading…

Nigerian Dwarf Goat

The Nigerian Dwarf goat is a very cute miniature milk producing or rather dairy goat. These mighty little creatures are ever so cute, full of energy and loads of fun. They also come in a lot of colors for a person to choose from. The goat has a small compact body with a long slender neck and short little legs. They are really intelligent and love getting attention, they are quite popular in petting zoos. They also make great little pets and are ideal for the Urban Homestead. Continue Reading….

LaMancha Goat

The LaMancha goat is a dairy goat breed that was developed in the United States and it is an excellent milk breed. They are sturdy, hardy and basically adaptable to most climates and terrains. They have a very unique appearance as they have very small ears that come in two distinctive forms the “elf ear” and the “gopher ear”. They give a lot of very nutritious milk, are active and friendly goats. They are also a breed that is quite easy to milk as they tend to stand still to feed their young as they do whilst being milked. If a person has the space to keep these gorgeous unique goats, they are a really good livestock addition to your homestead/farm. Continue Reading…

Nubian Goat

These beautiful goats have a very distinctive Roman nose profile and long flowing ears. They are strong, graceful, proud and quite regal in their bearing.
They also produce a very high-quality milk that is rich and high in butterfat content. Their milk production is quite decent and tastes creamy and sweet.
The Nubian goat is also known as the Anglo Nubian comes in quite a few different coat colors but a Mahogany brown with rich red undertones is the most common color. They originated in the United Kingdom as a result of the cross-breeding of various Indian and British goat breeds.
Commercially they produce good quality milk, fiber and meat. Continue Reading…

Kiko Goat

The Kiko goat originates from New Zealand and is a really popular meat goat. Whilst its meat is not as expensive as the Boer goat’s meat it is still of high quality and tasty.
They are a large breed, so they will need a bit of extra space for grazing, but they are also very adaptive goats. They will also eat nearly anything that they can find to eat and are great foragers.
These beautiful goats can come in a few different color variations, but they are mainly white with some black markings on their skin. Continue Reading…

Pygmy Goat

The little Pygmy goat is a small breed of that goat that is ideal for the urban back garden. They are primarily raised for their meat but are also quite good a producing fiber and milk.
They also make great fun, loving pets that will keep a person entertained for hours with their energetic antics. They are also one of the best escape artists around if there is something in their way, they are going to find a way over, through or around it! Continue Reading….

Nigora Goat

The Nigora Goat breed is a breed that originated in America by crossing a Nigerian Dwarf goat breed with an Angora Goat breed. These little goats as small and really mighty producers of meat, fiber and milk. Plus, they themselves are basically pint-sized (ok so they are a bit bigger than that…) and are an ideal goat for the urban homestead. They have boundless energy and bundles of love to give to their humans. They will butt head to get your attention though as these little goats love to be the center of it. They are smart, active and very entertaining they make an excellent little family pet. Continue Reading…

 

Fainting Goat

The Fainting Goat or Tennessee Fainting goat originated from Tennessee in America. They are crazy little goats that tend to fall over or walk like little goat robots – a lot!
Due to a genetic condition, every time these little goats are startled their limbs spasm causing their legs to go stiff as such they collapse. Or they will try to walk but their little legs are splayed out really weirdly when they do as they are all stiff and straight.
They are wonderful pets and make a good goat for the Urban back garden! Continue Reading…