About Nigerian Dwarf Goats

There were two distinct types of small goats imported, one being short, cobby, with short legs, and the other being more slender, with a longer body and proportionally longer legs and a more streamlined appearance. In the earlier years, in fact until about the 1960's and 1970's, little distinction was made between the cobbier type that became the African Pygmy goat, and the more dairy-type goat that became known as the Nigerian Dwarf.

Over the years, selective breeding has resulted in the two distinct breeds that are recognized today in the United States: the African Pygmy Goat and the Nigerian Dwarf.

Nigerian Dwarf Goats were first registered by the International Dairy Goat Registry (IDGR) in 1982, followed by the American Goat Society (AGS) in 1984, and the Canadian Goat Society (CGS) in 1985. A privately-owned breed-specific registry  called the Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association (NDGA) was formed in 1996.

AGS is an all-breed purebred dairy goat registry, and is the largest register of Nigerian Dwarf Goats, having over over 20,000 Nigerian Dwarfs in its herdbooks as of September 2002. AGS sanctions a large and ever- increasing number of shows across the nation every year, with "hot spots" being Texas, the Northeast, and the Northwest.

• Pendulous ears
• Roman nose
• bucks over 23.5"
• does over 22.5"
• evidence of myotonia (this is associated with fainting goats)

  The above breed standards are rather brief and don't really describe adequately what one of these little goats actually looks like. Using the AGS scorecard for a basis, this is what a Nigerian Dwarf doe should like:

  General appearance will be of femininity and refinement, paired with good condition and strength.

  Head will be refined and fairly long, with either straight or slightly dished profile. Eyes are large and soft, ears are medium-length and well set on the head. Face is very animated and expressive. Neck is long and slim, and blends smoothly into tight shoulders with high, sharp withers. Body is long, deepening from heart girth to flank to allow plenty of room for internal organs and kids. Ribs are flat, spaced wide apart, and well-sprung. Topline is level, with only a slight slope from hips to tail. Legs are wide apart, straight, with short, strong pasterns and short feet with tight toes. Skin is soft and pliable, with fine hair.

  The crowning glory of any dairy goat is her udder, and the Nigerian Dwarf is no exception. The "perfect" udder is capacious, attached very high and wide, with milkable teats, and a smoothly blended foreudder.

Although the records above are of course exceptional, a properly cared for doe should easily produce 1 to 2 quarts  a day of high-butterfat (averaging about 6%) , high-protein milk. This makes the breed an excellent choice for the family who can't use the gallon or more a day that a larger dairy goat can provide. Since Nigerian Dwarfs are also year-round breeders, they can also have their place in a commercial dairy as an off-season source of very rich milk. Many breeders enjoy making cheese, fudge, soap and other goat milk products.

Shows are excellent learning experiences, as unlike with many other animal shows, goat show judges are required to orally give reasons for their placings of a class.

Many goat shows include showmanship classes for children and adults alike. The showmanship classes for the younger set are usually held as "teaching" classes so the children are given a good foundation in the skills of properly showing a goat.

Even very small children can usually handle a gentle, well-trained miniature goat, and it can be an excellent introduction for them into showing livestock, and a good confidence builder.

A vaccination program is usually recommended. Commonly given are Clostridium Types C & D Toxoid ( known as C&D) and tetanus. Ideally, the pregnant doe is given shots 2 to 4 weeks before kidding, in order to boost her antibody levels to better protect her kids at birth. Kids are born with no immunities - their protection comes from the immunities in their dam's first milk, or colostrum. If the dam was vaccinated, then kids should be vaccinated at 6 weeks, and boostered 2 to 4 weeks later. Adult goats should be boostered annually. Other vaccinations may be commonly given in your area - ask your vet for details.

Some parts of the country are deficient in certain minerals, such as selenium, zinc and copper. Deficiencies in these can cause kidding problems, hoof problems, poor hair coat, depressed immune systems, and other problems. Talk to your vet and/or breeders in your area for more information.

Goats are susceptible to parasites, both internal and external. Depending on location and management practices, goats should be wormed as often as every other month. Safeguard and Panacur (fenbendazole) and Ivermectrin products are commonly used and usually effective.

Kids can be bottle-raised if the owner wishes, and most breeders wean between 8 and 12 weeks of age. Kids should be exposed to high-quality hay and grain from an early age, and will often begin nibbling alongside their dams by a week or two of age.