Each different type of goat is bred for a different purpose, whether it’s for their milk, their meat, or just to tend to the land, goats inhabit countless different countries all over the world and are a popular choice of livestock.
It’s no surprise then that there is such a vast variety in the breeds and types of goats all over the world.
This guide will help to provide you with information on the most common and popular types of goats!
LaMancha Goats
These dairy goats are incredibly cute, often seen with a big round belly and small ears, their milk is incredibly nutritious, as it is known for having a high protein and fat content, giving it a smooth texture and rich flavor!
They tend to spend a lot of their time grazing and as such are incredibly hardy animals, which they have to be in order to withstand all sorts of weather conditions they may encounter.
Their behavior is what makes them popular too, these goats are very curious, and often loving to both humans and animals if they regularly spend time around them!
Alpine Goats
Originating from the heights of the Swiss Alps, these aptly named Goats are identified by their distinctive long horns that reside on their heads.
The males of this species of this goat is particularly large too, with some reaching as tall as 32 inches when fully grown.
Their appearance is also considered rather graceful, especially when moving, and typically their short-haired coats come in a single color.
However, Alpine Goats can be somewhat defensive, especially if you get too close to them!
Toggenburg Goat
Considered the oldest goat breed in the world, the Toggenburg Goat has a rather cute overall appearance, featuring rather long ears that are constantly upwards, alongside a stereotypical beard that overall makes them look rather like a wizard!
They are also surprisingly fast, despite their legs being rather short.
Their coats are typically grey or brown in color and often feature white markings throughout.
The milk that this breed produces tends to be relatively low fat, which means that it’s unfortunately not so great for making dairy products such as cheese or cream.
Nubian Goats
Proficient milk producers and an excellent pet, Nubian Goats have an excellent reputation due to their loving and affectionate nature, and are considered to have incredibly full personalities and as such are rather entertaining!
The length breeding season of this goat means that they can usually produce milk nearly all year round.
And whilst their long droopy years make give off a slightly sad appearance, their personality demonstrates that they’re often anything but!
Myotonic Goats
These cute looking goats have a particularly distinct feature – they like to fall over!
Their tendency to fall stems from the fact that they all have a recessive gene that causes their muscles to temporarily freeze up if they become scared or afraid, which is what causes them to topple.
Originally bred in the United States, they have become popular countrywide in nearly all farming and rural areas.
Myotonic goats are often seen with rather large muscles, and the bucks often have long fur which also tends to be quite thick, as well as large beards too.
Verata Goats
Originating from the Vera region in Spain, these Goats are easily told apart from other species thanks to their particularly impressive horns, which begin to curl and twist when they get to a certain length, and are often likened to tree bark!
The rest of their appearance is also quite impressive, as their grey or black coats are known to catch the sun particularly well.
Originally raised for their milk and cheese production, Verata Goats are also sometimes bred for their meat too!
Boer Goats
These hardy Goats originate from South Africa and are bred purely for their meat, and have quickly become some of the most popular meat goats worldwide.
These Goats are perfectly suited for the South African climate, due to their ability to deal with the extreme temperatures and humidity much better than other goat breeds.
Their appearance is also sometimes compared to a cow’s appearance, this is mainly due to their entirely white bodies, and the dark brown fur that covers their head.
Spanish Goats
As the name suggests, these Goats come from Spain, and made their way to the United States from Mexico, and have become immensely popular since their arrival.
Their popularity is at its highest in Texas, where their ability to handle warm temperatures particularly well is favorable in the Texas heat.
Spanish Goats also have a wide range of appearances, often seen with various different patterns and fur colors, whether it’s white, black, brown, or grey!
Saanen Goats
These goats hail from Switzerland, and originally inhabited many of the valleys throughout the country before they were spread across Europe.
Often seen with cream or white colored fur, they sometimes have patches of other colors spread throughout their body.
Another aspect of their appearance that is rather amusing is their ears, which are constantly erect, making them look alert at all times.
Environment wise, these goats tend to prefer the colder locations, similar to where they originate from.
Oberhasli Goats
These goats are right at home in mountainous territory, and have a love for jumping and climbing up anything they can find.
They’re also particularly good looking too, with shiny black or brown fur and pointy ears, alongside their adorable eyes, meaning that these goats are often popular amongst goat lovers.
Their favorability carries on with their temperament too, as they’re very affectionate and loving animals which means that they can make great pets.
Hi, I’m Olivia Kepner and I am a zookeeper here in San Diego. Since I was a young girl I have always been fascinated by animals and species across the globe.
I used to beg my parents to take me to our local zoo every single weekend. Well, I say local – it was more like a two hour drive away. But they took me as much as they could, allowing me to fall in love with the animals again and again.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy
