friendliest goat breeds
This list of the friendliest goat breeds will help you find a good fit for your family, your homestead, and yourself. Taking care of animals that are skittish, overly stubborn, or even mean can make doing what you love a challenge.
We will look at the pros and cons of the most common goat breeds so you can find the best option. No matter what phase of life you are in, there is a breed of goat that will fit!
A handful of years ago I purchased a pair of boer goats from a friend. I was looking to breed them with my Nubians giving me a dairy meat cross that I could sell to the local Amish in our area.
The minute I brought them home, I realized I was in for a challenge. Yes, they were cute and looked friendly from a distance, but the minute I started to walk into their space, they would bolt, ears up in alarm.
We kept those goats for years, and although they did get better, they were still skittish. The herd helped to calm them, allowing me to get near, but if I wanted to work on them, it always took two people to get them into the milk stand.
Calm or Friendly
When you are looking for a goat breed, it is best to know the main characteristics you want for your homestead. It’s true you can find a goat that checks all the boxes, but more often than not, you will need to sacrifice one characteristic for another.
Goat Characteristics
- Calmness – They will not jump and run if they hear a sound that is unfamiliar.
- Friendly – They are like pets and love to be around people.
- Non-Agressive – They will not lunge at you, jump or kick if held, or head butt you aggressively.
- Good Temperament – They are overall a joy to have in the herd.
- Easy To Train – They are willing to learn new things and adapt well to a routine.
- Intelligent – They can be trained to do certain tasks or tricks.
For our homestead, we choose friendly over all the others. Since I am the main caregiver, having a goat that is comfortable with human interaction is going to make my job much easier.
Friendliest Goat Breeds
Let’s look at a list of our top picks for friendly goats. This list will include breeds for dairy and meat and a few crossbreeds.
Nigerian Dwarf
Nigerian Dwarf goats are small, gentle, and exceptionally friendly animals, making them excellent companions for families with children. They are known for their engaging personalities and love to be around people. Even though these goats are small, they are known as good milk producers.
What to watch for: Nigerian Dwarf goats can be susceptible to parasites and may require regular health check-ups.
Pygmy
Pygmy goats are well-loved for their playful and affectionate nature. These minis are social animals that enjoy being around people and even other livestock and pets. They are also quite hardy and adaptable to various environments.
Pygmy goats are known for their meat over milk and are often kept as pets rather than livestock.
What to watch for: While typically low-maintenance, their small size means they can be more easily injured, especially if they are around larger livestock such as donkeys or horses.
LaMancha
LaMancha goats are distinguished by their unique short ears and calm temperament. They are known for their friendly behavior, making them great for families or small homesteads.
LaManchas are a larger breed and are known to be excellent milk producers.
What to watch for: One issue is their sensitivity to extreme weather conditions, but with proper housing, they can do fine in all seasons.
Nubian
Nubians are large, affectionate goats with long, pendulous ears and a reputation for being sociable and people-friendly. They are very vocal and love attention, making them wonderful companions for those who enjoy interactive animals.
Nubians are also good for milk production and the main breed we raise on our homestead.
What to watch for: Nubians can be loud, which might be something your neighbors may not appreciate.
Boer
Boer goats are primarily bred for meat, but their calm and docile disposition makes them great for homesteads or younger families. They are hardy animals that do well in hot summers as well as frigid winters.
Get a list of meat goat breeds here.
What to watch for: Boer goats can be so docile that they are skittish and may run of people if spooked.
Saanen
Saanens are a large, friendly goat breed. They are all white goats and are known for their calm personalities and ease of handling. They are one of the top dairy breeds due to their high milk production.
Saanens enjoy being around people and are easy to train.
What to watch for: Saanens are light in color, so they do not do well in hot, direct sunlight for long periods. You will want to have a shady area in the pasture so they can escape the sun.
Can you train a goat to be friendly?
This is a question I get asked often, and the answer is: It all depends. If you have a shy or timid goat, you may be able to help it feel more comfortable around you. If, however, you have an aggressive goat, that is another story.
The trick is to know your limit. It is best to find a new home for an aggressive goat rather than risk injury to yourself or someone else.
No, it’s not easy to remove a goat from a herd, but sometimes it is necessary, and you, as the owner, will need to make that call.
Raising goats can be a fun and rewarding experience, and knowing the characteristics of the different breeds can help you to choose the best fit.
Whether you are looking for a dairy goat like the Saanen, a meat goat like the Boer, or a versatile breed like the Nubian, each breed is unique in its own way.
Training your goat to be friendly and manageable is possible with patience and consistency, but knowing when to part with a troublesome animal is important to creating a safe homestead for both you and your herd.
Keep this list of the friendliest goat breeds in your goat care binder so you can refer to it whenever you want to add a new breed to your goat farm.
