The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature breed of dairy goat. They were originally imported from West Africa in the mid 1970s and have been listed as a rare breed with the American Minor Breeds Conservancy. As the breed becomes known, it is rapidly gaining in popularity. Nigerian Dwarfs are seen as the perfect "family milker" due to their small size and consistent milk production. Maximum height for does is 22 1/2", bucks 23 1/2";. They are easy for anyone to handle, young and old alike. They produce a reasonable amount of milk for today's sized families; about one quart per milking. This milk is known to be rich and delicious. And at the smaller size, they require less space and can be housed in smaller yards and sheds (even a large dog house) than their larger goat cousins. They are very friendly and personable, making excellent pets as well. They have the delicate, refined proportions of the larger dairy breeds, and come in an infinite range of patterns and colors, making them quite aesthetically pleasing.
2010 was the end of a long effort to get the American Dairy Goat Association to accept Nigerian dwarf goats in their National Show. After being accepted in 2005, and building the herdbook, ADGA hosted the First Annual ADGA Nigerian Dwarf National Show.
As you can see from the photos on the right, the Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat breed has been refined over the years to represent the best of the dairy goat. We are proud to have contributed to that refinement and productivity though the development of our own Rosaharn herd.
Nigerian Dwarfs:
Then and Now
