What is a Nubian?

There are many breeds of goats with uses ranging from milk to meat to foragers. I've always been a fan of dairy goats because of their size, personalities and the fact that most are disbudded (do not have horns). My favorite breed is the Nubian.

What is a Nubian? According to the American Dairy Goat Association, the Nubian is a relatively large, proud, and graceful dairy goat of mixed Asian, African, and European origin, known for high quality, high butterfat, milk production.

Appearance, according to the breed standard is described below:

• Head is the distinctive breed characteristic, with the facial profile between the eyes and the muzzle being strongly convex (Roman nose). 
• Ears are long (extending at least one inch beyond the muzzle when held flat along the face), wide and pendulous. They lie close to the head at the temple and flare slightly out and well forward at the rounded tip, forming a "bell" shape. The ears are not thick, with the cartilage well defined. 
• Hair is short, fine and glossy.
• Any color or colors, solid or patterned, is acceptable. 

We own one Saanen goat. Maxine, as she is know around our farm, is a great goat. Shorter than our Nubians, she has a wonderful personality, beautiful udder and is a fantastic mother. Saanens are white goats with smaller, alert ears.

There are a few other dairy breeds I'm interested in, namely the La Mancha. La Manchas are easy to spot because of their tiny ears. We owned one, a few years back. She was remarkably quiet and meek compared to the boisterous Nubians. I would like to have a few more of this breed one the farm. What a contrast! Long ears and almost no ears grazing together in the pasture!

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