Saanen Dairy Goats

The Saanen dairy goat originated in Switzerland, in the Saane Valley. The Saanen Dairy Goat is the most common in South Africa and produce the most milk from the three recognized breeds available in this country. Their milk generally produce 3 to 4 percent fat and a healthy doe ways between 55kg and 65kg.
The Saanen is white in colour and in South Africa, spots of other colours are not acceptable for stud purposes. This does not mean that a doe with a slightly blemished coat cannot be a good Dairy Goat. They most certainly can. Due to their white colour, they are sensitive to sunlight and are prone to cancer on their udders and eyes. Good cover should therefore be provided if this is your breed of choice.
Goats do not like water and rain on their coats and adequate shelter should always be available. They normally bear twins, but triplets are not uncommon. Quadruplets also occur.
The hair on their coats is short and fine, although a fringe over the spine and thighs is often present. Ears should always be erect, preferably pointing forward. The face should be straight or dished. An inquisitive goat is considered a healthy one.

Toggenburg Dairy Goats

Toggenburgs are allegedly the oldest known Dairy Goat breed. They are from the Toggenburg Valley of Switzerland located in Obertoggenburg.
This breed is more slender than the Saanen and visably lighter, the does weighing in at about 55kg. Their hair is short, soft and fine. Its body colour is brown and the have distict marking which are very important for a Toggenburg to be recognized by the South African stud breeders. The markings can best be seen a real animal but the photo above is a fair reflection of what this breed looks like.
Compared to the Saanen they are considered medium milk producers. They normally only bear one kid but as always more-lings are not uncommon.
Toggenburgs are not that common in South Africa but there are a few stud farmers who have put in a huge effort and who have successfully improved this breed locally. This breed is noted for their excellent udder development and high milk production, and have an average fat test of 3.7 percent.

British Alpine Dairy Goat

The British Alpine was developed in Great Britain in the early 1900s. This is a beautiful animal, which is black in colour and has distinct white markings. Does resemble the Saanen does in size and posture and generally weigh about 60kg. They are tall, rangy and graceful, which can best be seen in a proud male animal. They are the second most popular breed in South Africa and the quality of the breed is as good as anywhere else in the world.
Their coats are short and glossy and bucks often display interesting hairstyles on the forehead. Does normally give birth to only one kid, but as with all goats, twins are not uncommon. The colour and markings can be seen on the photograph above.
Does are good milk producers and some cheese makers prefer the milk from British Alpine Dairy Goats who allege that they have a higher fat content which yield more cheese per liter of milk. This could not be scientifically confirmed. Most Dairy Goats have a fat content of between 3.5% and 4%.