Goat Breeds

Goats are a popular choice of livestock among new homesteaders. And with the variety of breeds available, there is a goat for every purpose!

When choosing a breed of goat, the first thing to consider is its future role on your farm. Do you want to raise goats for milk? Meat? Fiber? Weed control? Companionship for your horse? Also consider your scale and marketing plan—some goats were bred for commercial milk, meat, or fiber production, while others are better suited to small homesteads.

Once you have narrowed the field by purpose, compare your options to find the goat breed best adapted to your environmental conditions and any other requirements you may have, such as price or temperament.

As you do your research, peruse our guide to goat breeds to learn more about the uses, temperament, and health of each type of goat, as well as a summary of its pros and cons. A section on breed history is also provided for additional insight on each goat’s genetic background and purpose, as well as the path that modern breeders are currently forging.

 

Dairy Breeds

French Alpine

 

LaMancha

 

Nigerian Dwarf

 

Nubian

 

Oberhasli

 

Saanen

 

Toggenburg

 

 

Meat Breeds

Boer

 

Pygmy

 

Tennessee Fainting Goat

 

 

Fiber Breeds

Angora

 

Cashmere