Breeds of Goats - A

Alpine goats, sometimes referred to as the Alpine Dairy, are hardy medium-sized milking goats.

Alpine goats are originally from the French Alps. They have no set markings and they have erect ears, horns, and have a dish-face. They have a straight face with a Roman nose. Mature female Alpine goats weigh around 125 lbs, and are about 30 inches tall at the shoulder.

Alpine goats can range from white or gray to brown and black ...

The Altai Mountain goats, or Gornoaltaiiskaya, are wool-producing goats from the Altai mountains in Gorno-Altai Autonomous Region of the former Soviet Union.

Their diet consists mainly of grasses and other plant life and they graze almost constantly during the day.

Unlike some other breeds of wool producing goats, the Altai mountain goats are very consistent on their wool production amounts from one goat to the next. T ...

In the 1970s, a pioneering endeavor saw the crossbreeding of wild goats from Australia with Spanish meat goats inhabiting the American Southwest. Through years of meticulous selective breeding, this initiative led to the development of the American Cashmere Goats, a distinctive breed known for their valuable cashmere fiber.

While still considered rare, the North American herd of American Cashmere Goats is steadily increasing in size, r ...

The Anatolian Black goat, native to Turkey, is esteemed for its versatility in providing meat, milk, and fiber, making it a valuable asset in agricultural practices. These goats typically display a striking black coat, although variations in color including brown, gray, or pied are also observed. As a Syrian type goat, Anatolian Blacks are characterized by large, drooping ears and coarse, flat, long hair.

Renowned for their adaptabilit ...

In the pastoral landscapes of England, amidst the rolling hills and verdant meadows, the Anglo-Nubian goat stands tall as a testament to the harmonious blending of British, African, and Indian lineage. Developed through careful crossings of British goats with bucks from Africa and India, the Anglo-Nubian emerged as a versatile breed, excelling in meat, milk, and hide production.

With a regal bearing and graceful stature, the Anglo-Nubi ...

The illustrious Angora goat, named after the ancient city of Ankara in Turkey, holds a storied legacy as a premier producer of luxurious mohair fiber, renowned for its unparalleled softness and sheen.

Some trace the lineage of the Angora goat back to the majestic Central Asian Markhor goat, a noble ancestor revered since the Paleolithic era. In the 1550s, these graceful creatures made their grand debut in Europe, gracing the royal cour ...

The Appenzell Goat, characterized by its pure white coat and mid-length hair, is a breed renowned for its robust build and excellent milk production capabilities. With a well-built body and powerful, well-positioned legs, this hornless breed typically stands at a height ranging from 70 to 80 cm and weighs between 45 kg to 65 kg.

In terms of milk production, the Appenzell Goat is comparable to other dairy goat breeds. During lactation, ...

The Arapawa Goat is one of the rarest goat breeds in the world and is critically close to extinction.

The Arapawa Goat is a breed of feral goat descended from Old English milch goats released on Arapawa Island off the coast of New Zealand. It is directly descended from a breed of English landrace goat which no longer exists in its native England. Extremely rare today, a few have been exported to North America and other regions. T ...

The illustrious Argentata dell'Etna Goats trace their lineage to the majestic landscapes of Mount Etna and the Peloritani mountains, casting a captivating presence across the Sicilian terrain. Revered for their distinctive attributes and regional significance, these goats are cherished not only for their contributions to agriculture but also for their symbolic connection to the volcanic splendor of their homeland.

Steeped in mystery an ...

Aspromonte Goats are a breed of domestic goat that originated in the Aspromonte National Park in Calabria, Italy. They are known for their hardiness and adaptability to harsh environments. They are medium-sized animals, with males weighing around 150-200 pounds and females weighing around 100-150 pounds. They have a long and thick coat, which can be white, black, or a mix of the two colors. They are primarily used for milk and meat production, bu ...

Goats are reported to have been liberated in at least ten places on the Auckland Island group, New Zealand, in the second half of the nineteenth century as food for castaways, with at least one liberation in 1865 on the main Auckland Island. In 1934 the islands were defined as Nature Reserves and today they are administered by the Department of Conservation. By the 1970s, only one population of about a hundred goats remained, these living o ...

Long before the British settled Australia, goats were released on the islands off the coast of Australia by Dutch and Portuguese navigators. These goats come from a great variety of backgrounds and they acclimatized readily to the Australian environment.

In 1832 William Riley, imported goats to his property at Raby, New South Wales. Also he delivered a paper to the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of New South Wales in an e ...