Nigerian Dwarf goat

The Nigerian Dwarf is a modern American breed of dwarf goat. Like the American Pygmy Goat, it derives from the West African Dwarf group of breeds of West Africa.Template:R

History

Between about 1930 and 1960 a variety of small goats of the West African Dwarf group of breeds were imported from Africa to the United States to be exhibited in zoos.Template:R The Nigerian Dwarf, like the American Pygmy Goat, derives from these, but does not resemble the stocky West African Dwarf in conformation – it has been bred to have the appearance of a miniature dairy goat.Template:R It was at first reared as a show breed and companion animal; selection was for appearance and for docility.Template:R It was later found to be suitable for small-scale dairy production, and some breeding was directed towards dairy qualities.Template:R A herd-book was established in 1980.Template:R

Numbers grew rapidly; by 2002 there were almost Template:Val head registered.Template:R The breed was recognized by the American Dairy Goat Association in 2005.Template:R The Nigerian Dwarf was formerly listed on the heritage breeds watchlist of the Livestock Conservancy as "recovering",Template:R but was removed from the list in 2013.Template:R

In 2023 the total number of the goats in the United States was just under Template:Val;Template:R populations numbering Template:Val head are reported by Australia and Canada.Template:R In 2024 the international conservation status of the breed was "not at risk".Template:R

In the 1990s the Nigora breed was created by cross-breeding the Nigerian Dwarf with Angora and other mohair breeds.Template:R

Characteristics

File:Close-up of a blue eye in a Nigerian Dwarf goat.jpg

The eyes may be blue

The Nigerian Dwarf is small but well-proportioned; its conformation resembles that of larger dairy goats.Template:R It may be horned or naturally hornless.Template:R The coat is fine and fairly short, and may be of any color, or multicolored;Template:R common colors are gold, chocolate and black, frequently with white markings. The facial profile may be concave or straight; the ears are upright.Template:R The average weight is approximately Template:Convert, while maximum height is about Template:Convert for males and slightly less for females;Template:R stock bred for dairy performance may be rather larger than show or companion animals.Template:R

It is a precocious breed – young stock may be bred from an early age: males from about three months, females from seven or eight months.Template:R The gestation period is in the range 145–153 days;Template:R the twinning rate is high, and triplet and quadruplet births are not uncommon.Template:R Life expectancy is from eight to 12 years.Template:R

Use

File:Nigerdwarfgoat.jpg

Nigerian Dwarf twins

The Nigerian Dwarf was originally bred for show and as a companion animal. It was later also bred for dairy use.Template:R Average milk yield of dairy stock is Template:Convert per year;Template:R a yield of Template:Convert in a lactation of 305 days was recorded in 2018.Template:R Lactation usually lasts for about ten months.Template:R The milk is high in butterfat and protein, averaging 6.5% and 3.9% respectively,Template:R and is suitable for making cheese and butter.Template:R

See also

• Sunflower Farm, a Nigerian Dwarf goat farm