Nigerian Dwarf

The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature goat of West African Origin. Its conformation is similar to that of the larger dairy goat breeds. The parts of the body are in balanced proportion. The nose is straight, and the ears are upright. The coat is soft with short to medium hair in any color or combination of colors, though silver agouti (roan) is considered rare.

The ideal height of the Nigerian Dwarf Goat buck is 19-20 inches, but may reach 23.6 inches. The ideal height of the doe is 17-19 inches, but may reach 22.6 inches. Ideal weight is suggested to be about 75 pounds based on HES evaluation information.

Animals are rarely over-sized, curly-coated, having a Roman nose, having pendulous ears, or evidence of myctonia (fainting).

Although they have similar origins, Nigerian Dwarfs and Pygmies are separate and distinct breeds. Pygmies are bred to be "cobby" and heavy boned, with the best pygmies looking like kegs with legs. Dwarfs are bred to have the body length and structure, in proportion, of a dairy goat.

Dwarf goats come in many colors, but are usually black, chocolate, or gold. Random white markings are common, as are spots and other color combinations such as red and white, or gold and black.

Color is one of the major factors that makes breeding Dwarfs so popular. You never can be sure what color the babies will be until they are born - even then you can not be sure because many times their color will change.

Dwarf goats are gentle and lovable. Even breeding bucks are handled easily. They make wonderful pets and great animal projects for young children in 4-H.

Breeders of other types of goats find that their Dwarfs blend in with the rest of their herd well and do not need special quarters - just adequate fencing to contain them because of their small size.

Dwarf goats breed year round, and many breeders breed their does three times in two years, giving the doe a 6 month plus break.

Newborn kids average about 2 lb at birth but grow quickly. They reach maturity at a young age, and bucks have been know to breed as young as 7 weeks of age.

Does can be bred at 7 to 8 months of age if they have reached good size, but some breeders prefer to wait until they are at lest 1 year or older.

Dwarf does can have several kids at a time, 3 and 4 being common and sometime even 5. Dwarfs are generally good mothers and able to take care of their babies should you leave them to do the raising of the kids. They can also provide a surprising amount of milk for their size - 3-4 lb per day with 6-10% butterfat.

Bucks can breed as young as 3 months of age and easily by 7 or 8 months. Dwarf bucks are vigorous, but gentle breeders.

While the Nigerian Dwarf's numbers are still very small, with only 3500 animals registered in the USA, they have a very bright and profitable future ahead.