Goats/Nubians

The Nubian goat is of African and Asian origin. They are most commonly known for their 'Roman nose'. They have pendulous ears, have very high butterfat in their milk, and are the 'talkative' breed of all other breeds of goats. There are currently 7 dairy goat breeds. Alpine, LaMancha, Nigerian Dwarf, Nubian, Oberhasli, Saanen and Toggenburg. These are the dairy breeds - bred for milking. Boers are meat goats - bred for meat.

Anglo-Nubian

File:Nubiangoat.png

2 week old Nubian kid.

Adult goats at a children's farm.

The Anglo-Nubian breed originated in England as a cross between the Old English Milch Goat and the Zariby and Nubian bucks imported from India, Russia, and Egypt. They have been exported to most countries from England and are sometimes referred to as "Nubians" instead of the proper title of "Anglo-Nubian"

History

The Anglo-Nubian goat is a goat that originated in England.

Breed characteristics

It is large in size and carries more flesh than other dairy breeds. The Nubian breed standard specifies large size, markings can be any color, the ears are long, pendulous, and the nose is Roman. The Nubian temperament is sociable, outgoing, and vocal. Because of its elongated ears and sleek body, the Nubian is occasionally nicknamed the "Lop-Eared Goat" or "Greyhound Goat".

Uses

The Nubian's size makes it a very useful dual purpose animal. The Nubian breed leads the way for the dairy breeds in butterfat production: it produces on average, 5% or more butterfat content. This is surpassed only by the Nigerian Dwarf, Pygmy goat and Boer goat breeds, which are less likely to be used for large scale milk production, as for a dairy or cheese making. Because of the higher fat content, the Nubian milk has a better flavor than lower fat milks. Milk production is lower than the Saanen and Alpine breeds.

Nubian (Americas)

Nubians are the most popular breed in the United States.

Breed standard

The American Dairy Goat Association calls for the Nubian goat breed standards to as:

The Nubian is a relatively large, proud, and graceful dairy goat of mixed Asian, African, and European origin, known for high quality, high butterfat, milk production.

The head is the distinctive breed characteristic, with the facial profile between the eyes and the muzzle being strongly convex (Roman nose). The ears are long (extending at least one inch (2.54 cm) beyond the muzzle when held flat along the face), wide and pendulous. They lie close to the head at the temple and flare slightly out and well forward at the rounded tip, forming a "bell" shape. The ears are not thick, with the cartilage well defined. The hair is short, fine and glossy.

Any color or colors, solid or patterned, is acceptable.

Registries

American Dairy Goat Association (all general dairy goat breeds)