What is a Nigerian Dwarf? Here is a little info.
These small dairy goats continue to have a big future; these colorful miniature dairy goats have risen in popularity as a multi-purpose goat. The Nigerian Dwarf Dairy goat is of West African origin. Their conformation is similiar to that of the larger dairy breeds having body parts in balanced porportion to their small size. The nose is straight, ears being upright and forward in position, with short to medium length hair on a soft coat.
A healthy Nigerian Dwarf doe can produce over 2 quarts of sweet milk per day, however, due to their gentle, lovable personalities, most dwarf owners breed their goats for the companionship and pleasure these little caprines offer. Nigerians have a calm, even temperament making them ideal for children, the elderly, and disabled. Even breeding bucks can be handled with ease.
These "knee-high" miniatures do not require the space their larger counterpart dairy goats need, making the care for them practical for the small farm owner.
There are 3 maximum height standards on the Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat reflected by the 3 registries available in the United States. The ideal for these registries on does is 17" - 19" at the top of the withers with AGS's maximum height being 22.5" and NDGA's maximum height at 21". For bucks, both registries have an ideal height of 18" - 20" with AGS's maximum height at 23.5" and NDGA's at 23". ADGA has a minimum height standard of 17" for both does and bucks and a maximum height of 22.5" for does and 23.5" for bucks. The average adult weight of a Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat is about 75 pounds.
The most commonly asked question of the Nigerian Dwarf Goat is: What is the diffence between these and the African Pygmy Goat? Although they share similar African origins, they are each a separate and distinct breed. Pygmy goats are bred to be short and cobby in stature with heavy bones. Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats are bred to have length of body and the refineness of structure in proportion to true dairy character.
Color is one of the big factors that make breeding the Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat so popular. You can never be sure what color the babies will be until they are born, even then you can't be sure because many times their color changes as they mature. The main color families are black, white, chocolate, red and gold; with any number varying shades and pattern combinations. Any color or pattern is acceptable in breed standards.
A healthy Nigerian Dwarf doe can produce over 2 quarts of sweet milk per day, however, due to their gentle, lovable personalities, most dwarf owners breed their goats for the companionship and pleasure these little caprines offer. Nigerians have a calm, even temperament making them ideal for children, the elderly, and disabled. Even breeding bucks can be handled with ease.
These "knee-high" miniatures do not require the space their larger counterpart dairy goats need, making the care for them practical for the small farm owner.
There are 3 maximum height standards on the Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat reflected by the 3 registries available in the United States. The ideal for these registries on does is 17" - 19" at the top of the withers with AGS's maximum height being 22.5" and NDGA's maximum height at 21". For bucks, both registries have an ideal height of 18" - 20" with AGS's maximum height at 23.5" and NDGA's at 23". ADGA has a minimum height standard of 17" for both does and bucks and a maximum height of 22.5" for does and 23.5" for bucks. The average adult weight of a Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat is about 75 pounds.
The most commonly asked question of the Nigerian Dwarf Goat is: What is the diffence between these and the African Pygmy Goat? Although they share similar African origins, they are each a separate and distinct breed. Pygmy goats are bred to be short and cobby in stature with heavy bones. Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats are bred to have length of body and the refineness of structure in proportion to true dairy character.
Color is one of the big factors that make breeding the Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat so popular. You can never be sure what color the babies will be until they are born, even then you can't be sure because many times their color changes as they mature. The main color families are black, white, chocolate, red and gold; with any number varying shades and pattern combinations. Any color or pattern is acceptable in breed standards.
MEASURING THE NIGERIAN DWARF BREED (from ADGA)
Dairy goats are to be measured at the highest point of their
withers. The front legs shall be set as squarely as possible
underneath the withers. The rear legs shall be set so that when an
imaginary line is drawn from the pin bone to the ground, it
passes through the hock. The handler shall have one hand on the
goat's collar and the other hand not touching the goat. The head
shall be held alertly, but not stretched up to artificially reach a
minimum height or pushed down to artificially remain under a
maximum height. The goat shall be measured on a solid, level
surface.
The measuring device should have a base so that it may sit
squarely on the ground. The device shall be placed parallel to the
goat's front leg. The device shall have a cross bar to extend over
the withers. It is important that the cross bar be as level as
possible and that the entire device be held as straight as possible
to obtain the most accurate measurement.