THE GOAT FARM

The Alpine goat breed originated in the French Alps and was first imported to the US in 1920. Alpines are a medium to large breed of dairy goat that should weigh at least 135lbs for does and 170lbs. They have long bodies and a graceful form and if not utilized for their dairy qualities, have been used for trekking packs. Alpines are great pack animals because of their ability to rapidly adapt to tough and rocky terrain.

The Alpine breed most known here in the US is was developed in France, but some of the Swiss breeds of goats are also Alpine dairy goats. These goats are believed to be descended from domestic goats that migrated with their owners from the Middle East to the Alps. Since the Alps is incredibly rocky and hard terrain, goats thrived there because of there ability to adapt rapidly to their climate. This made these goats an important to the survival of communities living in those regions.

Today, the Alpine is one of the most popular breeds of dairy goat. Swiss farmers practiced selective breeding to bring out the dairy qualities in these animals. In the 1800’s the types of Alpines were separated by their coloring for example, Saanen, and Toggenburg to name a few. The Alpine breed you see at the fairs are French Alpines and they can have almost any color or pattern.

If you’d like to learn more about Alpines, visit the American Dairy Goat Association’s website.