Nigerian Dwarf
History
The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature dairy goat breed that is thought to have originated in West Africa. Development of the breed truly began in the USA in the 1980's. Today the breed is immensely popular in the USA with thousands registered each year.
For information about the history of the Nigerian Dwarf in America, visit ANDDA.
Michael and Ulrike Garwood of First Fleet Dairy Goats first imported Nigerian Dwarf goats into Australia as embryos in 2013. The first resulting kids were born in 2014.
Since then, the breed has rapidly developed through the importation of semen and embryos and breed up programs across Australia.
Appearance
Nigerian Dwarf goats are around the size of a large dog. Does should be no taller than 57cm at the wither and bucks no taller than 60cm.
They come in any coat colour and pattern and are the only dairy goat breed that is known to occasionally have blue eyes.
Ideally their conformation should resemble standard Swiss dairy goat breeds, just in miniature size.
Milk
Nigerian does can produce around 1.8 litres of sweet, creamy milk per day during the peak of their lactation.
Their milk contains, on average around 6% butterfat, which is the highest of all dairy goat breeds. This makes their milk wonderful to drink but also excellent for making cheese.
Care
Nigerian Dwarf goats are friendly, easy going, and hardy, having the ability to thrive in almost any climate. They don’t need a lot of space and enjoy browsing on a wide variety of trees and shrubs, making them well suited for the wide range of conditions in Australia.
Their small size allows them to be easily handled and cared for, even by children. They easily fit into XL dog crates or the boot of a car, making them easy to transport. They really are an ideal addition to a family farm or homestead!
For more information about caring for Nigerian Dwarf goats please visit our Care & Resources page.