Anglo-Nubian

The Anglo-Nubian is also known as the Nubian (USA). The breed was developed in England by crossing British goats with bucks of African and Indian origin. It is named for Nubia, in northeastern Africa. The original goats imported from Africa, Arabia and India were long-legged, hardy goats that had some characteristics desired by goat breeders in England. English breeders crossed these imported bucks on the common short-haired does of England prior to 1895 to develop the Anglo-Nubian goat. In the United States the breed is usually spoken of as the Nubian.

A relatively large, proud, and graceful dairy goat, the Anglo-Nubian is regarded as having an "aristocratic" appearance. The head is the distinctive breed characteristic, with the facial profile between the eyes and the muzzle being strongly convex - a decidedly Roman nose. The ears are long, wide, and pendulous, extending at least one inch beyond the muzzle when held flat along the face. They lie close to the head at the temple and flare slightly out and well forward at the rounded tip, forming a "bell" shape. The ears are fine, with the cartilage well defined. The hair is short, fine and glossy.

The Anglo-Nubian may be any color or colors, solid or patterned, but black, red, and tan are the most common colors, any of which may be combined with white. Usually there is shorter hair on the Anglo-Nubian males than is commonly found on the Swiss breeds, particularly along the back and on the thigh.

A mature doe stands at least 30 inches at the withers and weighs 135 pounds or over, while the males stand at least 35 inches at the withers and weigh at least 175 pounds.

The Anglo-Nubian is an all-purpose goat, useful for meat, milk and hide production. The Anglo-Nubian breeding season is much longer than that of the Swiss breeds so it is possible to produce milk year round. The Anglo-Nubian usually gives less milk than the Swiss breeds, but produces a milk of higher butterfat content (4-5%).

As it is the best suited of the dairy goat breeds to hot conditions, the Anglo-Nubian has been used in upgrading programs in many tropical countries to increase the milk and meat production of local breeds.