Dairy goats have been around for a long time and are believed to be one of the earliest domesticated animals in Western Asia.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134 They are believed to have descended from a wild goat called the Pasang or Grecian Ibex.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134 The first American goats were brought from Switzerland by Captain John Smith and Lord Delaware.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134 Dairy goats can be found in every state of the United States.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134

People may choose to have a dairy goat over a cow for various reasons. They are 1/6 the size of a cow and are thus easier to transport, some will even fit into a car.http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/outreach-extension/uploaded_files/4-h-files/files/dairy-handouts/dairy%20goats%20cows.pdf They have a longer productive life, 8-10 years, as opposed to a cows 4-6.http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/outreach-extension/uploaded_files/4-h-files/files/dairy-handouts/dairy%20goats%20cows.pdf The original investment for a goat is less and they can range a smaller acreage.http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/outreach-extension/uploaded_files/4-h-files/files/dairy-handouts/dairy%20goats%20cows.pdf

Although there are many breeds of dairy goats all over the world there are six breeds that are recognized by the American Dairy Goat Association.http://www.goats4h.com/DairyGoats.html These are:

1. The Nubian: A tall breed that stands out with their large floppy ears and roman nose. Their milk is higher in protein and butter fat than the other breeds.http://www.goats4h.com/DairyGoats.html
2. La Mancha: A very distinctive breed that looks as though they have no ears. Their ears are just actually very small. They are a small breed that is calm and gentle.
3. Alpines: A large breed with upright ears that is popular with commercial dairies due to the large amount of milk they produce.http://www.goats4h.com/DairyGoats.html
4. Oberhaslis: This breed demands a certain color called Chamois and have a black dorsal stripe, legs and udder.http://www.goats4h.com/DairyGoats.html
5. Toggenburg: Light brown with white ears and lower legs they have the smallest height requirements of the breeds.http://www.goats4h.com/DairyGoats.html They also grow a very shaggy coat.
6. Saanaan: A large pure white goat popular with dairies due to their large udder capacity and milk production.http://www.goats4h.com/DairyGoats.html

All these breeds also come in mini versions.http://www.miniaturedairygoats.com/about_mini_dairy_goats.htm A goat not listed by the American Dairy Goat Association that is starting to be seen here in America is the Nigerian Dwarf. This little goat produces a large amount of milk for its small size.

No matter what the breed there are certain characteristics that are valued and sought after in a dairy goat. The goat should have strong legs and feet with a deep heart girth and wide barrel with plenty of room for feed.http://www.adga.org/milk-goat.pdf The milk goat should have loose, pliable skin and not be carrying extra fat.http://www.adga.org/milk-goat.pdf

One of the most important aspects of the dairy goat is the udder. The udder should have a wide area of attachment to the body with 1/3 of the udder extending behind the leg when viewed from the side.http://www.adga.org/milk-goat.pdf If hand milking the teat size should fit the hand, and the teat should be on the outer edge of the half pointing downwards or even in.http://www.adga.org/milk-goat.pdf The opening of the teat is important as well. If too small it may take a long time to milk and if too large may leak.http://www.adga.org/milk-goat.pdf

One of the most common ailments found in a dairy goat is mastitis. This is an inflammation of the udder usually caused by streptococcus or staphylococcus organisms.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134 In mastitis the udder is painful and hot to the touch and if caught early may be cured using a broad spectrum antibiotic such as penicillin.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134

High producing dairy goats may develop udder edema during the late dry season and after giving birth.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134 It may be helpful to control the intake of potassium and sodium in this situation although the problem is not totally controllable.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134

Another ailment is abscesses, or Caseous Lymphadenitis. This is a common chronic disease where abscesses arise from the lymphatic system on the shoulders, head and neck of the goat.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134 This disease may eventually cause death due to internal abscesses interfering with vital organs.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134 The animal needs to be isolated, the abscesses lanced (with the pus being collected and destroyed), and a treatment of antibiotics given four times daily.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134 This is a very difficult disease to remove from a herd and requires raising the young at a separate location and disposing of infected animals.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134

Foot rot may be seen in animals that are not able to get in the dry and must stand in mud where germs thrive. The symptoms include a foul smell, a grayish cheesy discharge, with lameness and intense pain.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134 This ailment may be avoided by keeping the animals in a clean dry location and may be treated with a 10-30% copper sulfate and trimming the infected hoof.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ds134

The dairy goat is used to produce milk for human consumption and also for other animals. More people in the world drink goat milk than cow milk, though in the United States the opposite is true.http://www.goats4h.com/DairyGoats.html The milk may be used to make cheese, soap, and yogurt. Dairy goats may be persuaded to adopt lambs and other animals may be bottle-fed using goats milk.