10 Goat Breeds To Raise As Pets

Goats make great pets for hobby farms and small farms. The best goats to keep as pets are gentle, calm, and affectionate breeds. Goats are typically farm animals; however, some breeds are easy to tame. They can be potty trained. However, this takes time and patience.

The Best Goats To Keep As Pets

Goats make good pets, but they are a commitment because most breeds live for ten to 20 years. However, they provide lots of affection and entertainment and are a profitable investment.

Alpine

French-Alpine goats came to the United States from France and are a recognized dairy breed. These animals are some of the best goats to keep as pets because they are hardy, easy to raise, and have friendly dispositions.

Alpine goats are excellent milk producers. They have medium-short hair; however, they do excellent in cold climates. These goats are easy to care for and have few health problems.

Kiko

The Kiko goat breed is a meat goat, and some people do not recognize it as one of the best goats to keep as pets. Kikos are non-aggressive goats that are friendly and calm. However, they can be independent.

Nubian

A Nubian goat is affectionate, loving, and calm. They have become one of the most sought-after dairy breeds because their milk has a higher-than-average butter-fat content. They primarily eat hay and grain, but they will do some foraging. The long ears on these animals, combined with their Roman noses, make them beautiful.

Saanen

Dairy goats like the Saanen are the best to keep as pets because dairy breeds are the friendliest goat breeds. Saanen milk goats produce up to three gallons of milk per day. The breed gets its name from the Saanen Valley, where it originated.

Boer

The Boer goat breed creates large animals. They are a meat goat that will eat grain, forage, hay, and all the snacks you want to give them. This heavy breed of goats reach weights of up to 250 pounds. However, they are docile and easy to handle.

Lamancha

The Lamancha breed has one of two short ear styles depending on whether the pinna-reducing gene in their bloodline is dominant or recessive. They are unique in appearance and make the best goats to keep as pets because they are friendly and easygoing. Lamancha goats become attached to their owners and are easy to train.

Kinder

A Kinder goat is a cross between a Nubian doe and an American Pygmy buck first produced in Washington. This breed has a dual purpose as both milk and meat producers. However, the most popular purpose for a Kinder is as a backyard pet. They are one of the friendliest breeds of goats, and their small size and gentle nature make them perfect to have around children.

Dwarf Nigerian

The dwarf Nigerian goats grow no larger than a medium to large dog. They are curious and playful and thrive in any climate. Dwarf Nigerian goats are one of the best goats to keep as pets because they are one of the cheapest goats to keep as pets. The investment cost of this small animal is typically less than $100. However, they have a lifespan of about ten years.

Myotonic Or Fainting Goats

Fainting goats are called myotonic goats because they do not faint but have a hereditary condition that causes their muscles to stiffen when frightened or surprised. When their muscles stiffen, the goat loses its balance and falls. These animals are loving, affectionate, and gentle. However, they are also curious and mischievous little creatures.

American Pygmy

The American Pygmy is one of the best goats to keep as pets. The goats are friendly, loving, affectionate, and easy to care for. However, this breed suffers from urinary stones that block their bladder more often than larger breeds. To reduce urinary stones, ensure the animal is given only small amounts of grain, plenty of water, and natural forage.

Alpine

Alpine goats are a larger breed of dairy goat that stand between 30″ and 40″ as adults. Females and withers weigh about 135 pounds; however, the bucks weigh as much as 170 lbs. This breed is one of the best goats to keep as pets because they are friendly, curious, and typically reticent. Alpine goats live between 15 and 18 years.

Kiko

Kiko goats are hardy and adapt to almost all climates and environments. Their docile nature makes the larger goat easy to handle. Kikos are a healthy breed that has fewer parasite-related diseases. Their hooves are easy to care for, and prefer natural forage to grains and hay.

Nubian

Nubian goats are one of the best to keep as pets because they are calm and gentle. They are one of the more affectionate goat breeds, and they love attention from their owners. Nubian goats live long lives of up to 20 years. They are easy to maintain, disease-resistant, and quiet when happy.

Saanen

The Saanen (pronounced saw-nen) are one of the best goats to keep as pets because they are gentle and calm. These goats are more disease-resistant than many other breeds and have easy-to-care-for hooves. As a pet, you can expect a Saanen goat to live up to 14 years.

Boer

Boers are meat producers and pets. These animals are easy to tame and love attention from their owners. Boers live up to 20 years, and the females usually have twins or triplets when they give birth. They are intelligent and easy to feed. However, they are not as disease-resistant as some other breeds are.

Lamancha

Lamancha goats are unique because of their distinct ear shape and size. They are a dairy breed that makes great goats for pets because they have an easy-going nature and love affection. The Lamancha goat is easy to train and gentle with people and other animals. However, this breed has a lifespan of only 7 to 10 years.

Kinder

Kinder goats are adorable animals created by breeding a Nubian goat with an American Pygmy. The result was a diminutive breed animal that is easy to handle, affectionate, calm, and raised for milk or meat production. Their lifespan is 14 years, and they like being touched and hand-fed.

Dwarf Nigerian

Only Nigerian goats have blue eyes. Dwarf Nigerian goats are bred to be small in stature, highly intelligent, and cute. They make the best goats to keep as pets because they are friendly, quieter than other breeds, and good-natured. They love to play, have lots of energy, and have distinctive personalities.

Myotonic Goat

Myotonic goats are often called Tennessee fainting goats because the traveling salesman who introduced them to the United States hails from Tennessee. These animals make the best goats to keep as pets because they have distinctive personalities. It is adorable when they get startled and fall over. They fall because they have a condition called Myotonia Congenita, which means the stiffening of muscles. Once the little goat’s muscles are stiff, they are immobilized for up to 20 seconds, then pop back up and return to normal activities.

American Pygmy

American Pygmy goats are the top pick for best goats to keep as pets. They are the smallest goat breed. However, they have huge personalities. These little animals are playful, friendly, curious, and active as pets. They love to jump and can jump five feet from a standing position. Pygmy goats have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years and are good milk producers.

Summary Of 10 Goat Breeds To Raise As Pets

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