SA Milch Goat Breeders’ Society

The SA Milch Goat Breeders’ Society was founded in 1958 and affiliated with the S.A. Studbook and Animal Improvement Society. The primary aim of the Society is to promote the breeding of quality and functional milk goats by providing relevant information to breeders on goat breeding and keeping.

ABOUT US

OUR BREEDS

SA Milch Goat Breeders’ Society

The SA Milch Goat Breeders’ Society was founded in 1958 and affiliated with the S.A. Studbook and Animal Improvement Society. The primary aim of the Society is to promote the breeding of quality and functional milk goats by providing relevant information to breeders on goat breeding and keeping.

ABOUT US

OUR BREEDS

The History of Milk Goats

The first mention of South Africa’s goat dates back to nine years after the Dutch established a settlement at the Cape in 1652. An expedition was sent out on 30 January 1661 to explore the inland. It was reported that they rested in the vicinity of the Olifants River where the Namaqua prince presented them with a goat obtained from a bantu tribe called Briqua, i.e., “goat people”. According to other explorers the goat in South Africa corresponded with the Nubian or Egyptian goat. Wallace reported in 1896 “that a small herd of milch goats and a huge number of goats are kept at Groot Constantia for manure for fertilizing the vineyards”.

The History of Milk Goats

The first mention of South Africa’s goat dates back to nine years after the Dutch established a settlement at the Cape in 1652.

An expedition was sent out on 30 January 1661 to explore the inland. It was reported that they rested in the vicinity of the Olifants River where the Namaqua prince presented them with a goat obtained from a bantu tribe called Briqua, i.e., “goat people”.

According to other explorers the goat in South Africa corresponded with the Nubian or Egyptian goat. Wallace reported in 1896 “that a small herd of milch goats and a huge number of goats are kept at Groot Constantia for manure for fertilizing the vineyards”.

Milk Goat Breeds

Saanen

The colour of the Saanen is white with no markings, although black spots on the nose, eyelids and ears are an advantage in differing from the undesirable albino. The only drawback to the fair-skinned Saanen is that the harsh South African sun causes skin carcinomas of the udder, while the Toggenburg and British Alpine do not have this problem.

Toggenburg

The Toggenburg’s colour may vary from fawn to dark chocolate with white marking similar to those of the British Alpine. The pure Toggenburg was developed in Switzerland, while the British Toggenburg was bred in Britain; thus indicating that other blood lines may have been introduced to the pure Toggenburg imported from Switzerland to Britain.

British Alpine

The body of the British Alpine goat is black with distinctive white markings. White facial stripes extend from above the eyes to the muzzle, and the edges and tips of the ears, as well as the legs from the hocks and knees downward, are also white. Both sides of the tail are marked with white. These goats are known for their striking contrast in color, making them easily recognizable.

Bunte Deutsche Edelziege

The BDE does not have a fixed definitive color pattern. It can vary from light brown, pale brown, gray-brown to dark rust-brown. They have a black or dark brown dorsal stripe on their back (from the neck to the tail). The skin of the BDE (under the hair) is black and is therefore very well pigmented. The legs and belly range from light to black.

Milk Goat Breeds

Saanen

The colour of the Saanen is white with no markings, although black spots on the nose, eyelids and ears are an advantage in differing from the undesirable albino. The only drawback to the fair-skinned Saanen is that the harsh South African sun causes skin carcinomas of the udder, while the Toggenburg and British Alpine do not have this problem.

Toggenburg

The Toggenburg’s colour may vary from fawn to dark chocolate with white marking similar to those of the British Alpine. The pure Toggenburg was developed in Switzerland, while the British Toggenburg was bred in Britain; thus indicating that other blood lines may have been introduced to the pure Toggenburg imported from Switzerland to Britain.

British Alpine

The body of the British Alpine goat is black with distinctive white markings. White facial stripes extend from above the eyes to the muzzle, and the edges and tips of the ears, as well as the legs from the hocks and knees downward, are also white. Both sides of the tail are marked with white. These goats are known for their striking contrast in color, making them easily recognizable.

Bunte Deutsche Edelziege

The BDE does not have a fixed definitive color pattern. It can vary from light brown, pale brown, gray-brown to dark rust-brown. They have a black or dark brown dorsal stripe on their back (from the neck to the tail). The skin of the BDE (under the hair) is black and is therefore very well pigmented. The legs and belly range from light to black.