BREEDS
Miniature Breeds
Miniature goats are wonderful little creatures – friendly and curious with unique personalities – they come in a variety of breed styles – colours, shapes, and uses to suit any loving home, or hobby farm business.
Mini goats get along with pretty much everyone – both two and four legged. They will live for 10-15 years or more. Our Australian Miniature, Pygmy and Nigerian Dwarf purebred animals are looking at a similar height around the height of a medium size dog breed. The Nuwby goats may be slightly taller due to the Nubian influence and the fact this breed is still in development.
The MGBA recommends that buyers purchase at least 2 goats. Goats are a herd animal and require same species to live happy and healthy lives as well as being able to be trouble free pets. Find out more here about which breed might appeal most to you. Check that the animal(s) are Myotonic CLEAR.
Australian Miniature
The Australian Miniature Goat breed has been around for almost 20 years. Developed as a ‘designer pet’ breed, the Aussie Mini as it’s affectionately known, was created to provide animals suitable for the small land holder – providing milk, possibly fleece, a weed eater and all-round perfect pet – all in a hardy, small, friendly little animal.
These goats have been bred for temperament and size and graded up based on the parents grade and height. Australia now has thousands of registered Australian Miniature Goats with many, many generations of miniature breeding. They come in a wide range of colours, beautiful temperaments and importantly, reliable sized animals.
Nigerian Dwarf
The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature dairy goat breed originating in West Africa, and developed in the United States. Their confirmation is similar to that of a larger dairy goat- elegant and balanced – just in a nice small package. Does produce around 1.8 litres of milk a day with a high butterfat content. They are generally colourful, very friendly, easy to train and the wethers make loving, attractive little pets.
This breed was introduced to Australia from the US in 2013. Good Dwarf type percentage animals, along with Purebred stock of 87.5% to 100% are becoming available. We are seeing more breeders, soap and cheese makers, backyard milkers and pet owners alike falling in love with these beautiful goats.
Pygmy
Although the Dwarf and Pygmy have similar origins, they are very distinct breeds. The Pygmy is cobby, chunky, short-legged and heavy boned. A pet breed, they primarily come in a range of traditional colours – notably solids agouti or black frosted, and the caramels ranging from cream through to red, and chocolate. These guys are so far proving to be shorter in stature than the other mini breeds with adult bucks coming in under 50cm.
Pygmy genetics were first imported in 2013 and most studs have been following genetic recovery to develop the breed in Australia. Early 2019 saw a new import of 100% semen straws landing which will accelerate the breed. Good pygmy type animals up to 87.5% are available and highly sought after as family pets.
Nuwby
The Nuwby Goat breed has been developed in Australia since 2001. Originally Boer, Anglo Nubian and Kalahari goats were paired with carefully selected smaller breeds to produce this graceful, elegant, often colourful animal with a gentle nature. Dedicated Breeders continue to work on both refinement of type and reduction of height with an ideal maximum height of 60cm for adult purebred females and 63.5cm for adult purebred males.
Like the Nigerian Dwarf Goat, the Nuwby is a dual-purpose animal bred for milk, as well as the size and temperament desirable in a companion animal. The Nuwby Goat portrays elegance and nobility with its regal upright stance and facial profile. They are sought after as a smaller-sized milking goat, for breeding and for exotic looking pets.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BUYING MINIATURE GOATS
Before you start talking to breeders, narrow down exactly what you are looking for. Will these goats be just for pets? Are you looking for babies or adults? Do you think you may want to breed in the future? Perhaps you want to start breeding now and so you will be looking for breeding stock, not pets. How about showing – will you be joining shows? Which breed appeals to you most?
And of course you will need to have some infrastructure in place before the goats arrive, and you require a PIC number and possibly council approval.