Breed Basics
The Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat is a miniature goat of West African origin. Its conformation is similar to that
of the larger dairy breeds. The parts of the body are in balanced proportion. The nose is straight, the ears are
upright and forward, with short to medium hair on a soft coat.
The ideal height for a doe is 17-19 inches. The maximum height, in accordance with the American Goat Society
standard, is 22.4 inches; by the Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association, maximum height is 21 inches.
For bucks, the ideal height is 18-20 inches. Maximum height is 23.6 inches (AGS), or 23 inches (NDGA).
The average adult weight of Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats is about 75 pounds.
Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats can be registered in four registries; American Goat Society (AGS), International Dairy Goat Registry (IDGR), Canadian Goat Registry (CGR), and Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat Association
(NDGA). In 2005 the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) will begin registering Nigerians as well. Nigerian Dwarf Goat shows are growing in popularity and are sanctioned
by AGS and NDGA.
Nigerian Dwarf Goats are rare, according to the American Livestock Breeds Conservatory.
Color & Temperament
Color is one of the big factors that makes breeding Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats so popular. You can never be
sure what color the babies will be until they are born; even then you can't be sure because many times their color changes.
Main color families are black, white, chocolate, red and gold. Random markings are common, as are spots and
other color combinations. Any color or combination of color is acceptable in AGS, though Pygmy goat coloring is considered
a minor fault with NDGA.
Another reason Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats are growing in popularity is their gentle and lovable temperaments.
Even breeding bucks are easily handled. They make wonderful pets and great projects for young children, disabled, and
4-H.
Breeding Facts
Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats are capable of breeding year round. Many breeders breed their does three times in
two years, giving the doe at least a six-month break, others breed annually. This is of course a personal choice of
each breeder.
Kidding is always an exciting time for Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat breeders. New babies are sooooo adorable!!!
They average about two pounds at birth, but grow quickly. Watch out for those little buck kids, they have been known
to breed and be fertile at seven weeks. make sure you wean does and bucks separately, so this does not happen.
Does can be bred at seven - eight months of age if they have reached a good size. Some breeders choose to wait
until the doe is one year old or older.
Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats can have several kids at one time, three, four and even six have been known to happen.
Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats are good mothers, able to take care for their babies should you leave the raising to them.
Bucks are able to be used for service as young as three months and easily by the time they reach seven or eight months
old. Dwarf bucks are vigorous breeders but are gentle enough to be used for hand breeding or pasture breeding.
Both methods are used successfully.
Milking
Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats are a dairy breed and provide a surprising amount of milk for their size if you want your
own delicious milk. The milk is higher in butter fat and protein.
They can produce on average about 2.5 pounds of milk a day over their entire lactation period. The highest
recorded one-day production by a Nigerian Dwarf Dairy does during official test was 6.3 pounlds, and the highest butterfat
content was 11.3%. Some breeders are on DHIR milk test and does have been awarded stars for their high milk production.
Costs
Average cost of breeding stock is between $200 and $500. Goats having exceptional pedigrees, high milk test
scores or proven show records are priced even higher. Pet quality and wether stock often cost much less and can be purchased
for about $100 - $200.
