Calliopy Ranch

When people think of dairy goats they often think of a couple goats on a farm somewhere in Ruraltown, USA. Dairy goats are actually much more common than that. Just as there are herds of dairy cows that supply local as well as international consumers, there are also dairy goats that support a similar demand. Many people drink goat’s milk and that is why dairy goats appear in large numbers all over the world.

More on Dairy Goats

There are six different types of diary goats today and these include Nubians, LaManchas, Alpines, Oberhaslis, Toggenburgs, and Saanens. Each type of diary goat offers something just a bit different than the other. They all satisfy the growing number of people who are drinking goat’s milk. Today more people drink goat’s milk than they do cows milk.

Nubians are recognizable by their long, floppy ears and appear in a wide variety of colors. They are one of the larger breeds of diary goats and their milk is quite high in protein and butter fat. Many people know Nubians because they can be stubborn and make a unique noise to express their displeasure.

LaMancha’s are a popular breed of dairy goat. These goats are well known because their ears are very small; in fact they look like they don’t have ears at all! LaMancha dairy goats appear in a wide variety of colors and they are known to be one of the most gentle and friendliest breeds available.

Alpine dairy goats are a very popular because of the amount of milk they are capable of producing. These goats also appear in a wide range of colors except for solid white and their face should be either dished or straight, and have ears that stand straight up off the top of her head.

Oberhaslis goats are very specifically marked. These goats are usually a bay color with a black dorsal strip, udder, belly, and marked with black behind the knees. Oberhaslis should also have a black head, though there are some individuals that are almost completely black. These two color markings are the only acceptable markings for this breed.

Toggenburgs are another breed that is very specifically marked. Toggs are light brown and have white ears and white on their lower legs. The side of the tail and two stripes down the face are also white. This breed also has erect ears and they have some of the smallest height requirements for dairy goats, though they generally grow quite large. The Toggenburgs are a long haired breed and are quite popular.

Saanens are a pure white species of dairy goat. Their large udder capacity makes them popular with a lot of dairy goat farms and are reliable milk producers. These goats have a smaller head than other breeds and their all white appearance makes them stand out in the crowd.

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