Local and Exotic Breeds of Goats

In the tropics, such as Nigeria, goats have some unique characteristic features that make it easy for them to thrive in any environment. Additionally, these features contribute to the ability of these animals to tolerate any climate (friendly and/or harsh). For example, goats have tough skin coat to withstand high temperature and cold, and they are good scavengers.

Breeds of goats are classified under Local breeds and Exotic breeds. For this article and for the fact that I’m a Nigerian, I would be describing the local goat breeds in Nigeria.

Some Common Goat Breeds in Nigeria and Other parts of Africa include:

1. Sahelian Goats
2. Maradi or Red Sokoto
3. West African Dwarfs
4. Pygmy Goats
5. Anglo-Nubian
6. Toggenburg
7. Saanen
8. Alpine
9. Jamnapari
10. Boer

Local Breeds of Goat

Sahelian Goats

These goats have short fine coats that could be white, black, red, or spotted. They have medium to large body size at maturity. The ears are short and possess horizontal or drooping horns in both males and females. The goats are well adapted to long-distance trekking for grazing. They are found throughout the Sahel or desert areas of Nigeria. It is a medium or large-sized goat with a long leg that has adapted very well to nomadic life or wide range grazing of sparse vegetation. The ears are short, and both sexes carry horns. Mature weight in buck is between 25 to 30 kg and 20 to 25 kg in ewes. Like all other breeds of goat, they are used for meat and popularly called “Ogufe” in most of the eateries in Nigeria, especially in the South-west.

Maradi or Red Sokoto

This breed of goat is found mostly in the Sokoto area of Nigeria and part of the Niger Republic. It is the most well-defined breed of goat, perhaps in Africa. It has a red skin coat that is of good quality for leather production. Other varieties of the breed are the Kano brown or Boronu white. Both sexes carry horns with short ears that are horizontally positioned. At maturity, Maradi goats weigh between 20 and 30 kg.

African Dwarf Goats

The West African dwarf goats are found in the forest zone of Nigeria. The goats are small in size with a compact body and short legs. The short legs enable them to move under thick vegetation of the forest region. The color of the coat varies from black to grey to white or multicolored. Their height is 40 to 50 cm at withers and weighs between 18 and 20 kg at maturity. They have the ability to produce twins. The breed is very hardy and resistant to trypanosome.

Pygmy Goats

The Pygmy Goat was formerly referred to as Cameroon Dwarf Goat. It is an African breed of miniature goats, precisely from West African countries. However, there are similar goat breeds in the Northern African, East African, and South Western African countries. Now, Pygmy goats can be found in the United States of America. Read about the characteristics of Pygmy Goats Here

Also Read: Sample Feed Formulae for Goats and Sheep

Exotic Breeds of Goats

Saanen

This breed originates from Switzerland but has widely spread all over the world. The goats are large in size and have a white coat. Females obtain weights up to 65kg and males till 75kg. With good management, these goats will produce, on average, 3 liters of milk per day. This breed is known for its intersex or free martin offspring. Therefore horned animals are preferred, but they may be dehorned.

Anglo-Nubian

This breed is the product of crossing Nubian and local breeds in England. The colors vary, but brown and white dominate. Females weigh 60kg and males 70kg. The animals are very adaptable to the tropics with a somewhat lower production then the Swiss breeds.

Toggenburg

It also originates from Switzerland and also is widely spread in the world. The coat is brown or chocolate. Females weigh some 50 kg and males 65 kg. With adequate care and nutrition, they may produce some 2-2.5 liters of milk per day.

Alpine

This breed originates from the Alp region in Europe. The animals have a good size and an enormous variety of color of their coat, from black to white. Their weight is 60 kg and 65 kg respectively for females and males. The breed has excellent potential for both milk and meat production.

Jamnapari

A large breed originates from India with large lopped ears, and a large variety of colors, often black or brown. The adult weight is some 65kg to 75kg. This breed has excellent adaptability to the tropics and potential for both milk and meat production.

Boer Goat

This breed is the result of long selection of local goats in South Africa. The color is almost always white (with a brown neck and a black or brown head). The animals have good fertility and are well muscled. They can be very heavy, with males weighing up to 130 kg and females 80 kg. They are mainly kept for meat production but also have a reasonable potential for milk, which is often used for nourishing the fast-growing kids.

Also Read: Starting a Goat Farming Business – The Basics

Kahalari Reds

Kalahari Red goats come from the Kalahari Desert in South Africa. They are innately hardy and naturally adaptable, these goats are much less susceptible to disease and parasite infestations than other breeds. Their background as desert animals has also given them unequalled ability to thrive in varied and poor conditions, their color makes them less prone to airborne predators, and they have excellent mothering abilities.

Download our Free Comprehensive Goat Farming Ebook Guide Here