20+ Best Goat Breeds For Milk Production

Goat’s milk is easier to obtain and more nutrient-dense food than cow’s milk because it contains more fat, protein, and minerals. If you are looking for the best goat breeds for milk, look no further and read our article below.

20+ best goat breeds for milk

There are about 570 goat breeds around the globe. However, only 69 breeds are considered “dairy breeds”. After conducting thorough research, we suggest you 26 best goat breeds for milk below.

1. US Saanen

The US Saanen goats yield 2,015 pounds of milk. Their lactation period lasts 292 days a year, and the fat content in their milk is high.

The goats are well-known to be the best goat breed for milk production. Their origins can be traced back to Switzerland. The current US Saanens are descended from those among the highest-quality Saanens which first arrived in the United States.

The does can weigh 110 – 200 pounds, while the bucks can weigh 175 – 265 pounds.

2. US Toggenburg

They yield 1620 – 1920 pounds of milk, while their lactation period lasts 292 days per year. The fat content in their milk is high.

Toggenburg dairy goats are the oldest goat breed in America. It’s a Swiss breed that originated from the Toggenburg valley. Goats’ color varies from brown to grey, with white legs and a band around their tail base. The Toggenburg’s ears are short, erect. The Toggenburgs are polled.

Males weigh approximately 145 pounds, while females weigh approximately 100 pounds.

3. Alpine

Alpine’s milk yield is 1915 pounds on average. They can lactate for 288 days per year, and the fat content in their milk is high.

Regarding milk production and distribution over the world, Alpine goats are among the most important Swiss dairy breeds. They are ranked second, only after Saanen, in terms of the best dairy goats. The bucks range in weight from 175 to 220 pounds, while the does are from 135 to 200 pounds.

4. La Mancha

The Lamancha goats yield 1670 pounds of milk on average. Their lactation period lasts 288 days per year and the fat content of their milk is high.

The only dairy goat breed established in the United States is La Mancha. La Mancha bucks weigh roughly 155 pounds, while their female counterparts weigh about 130 pounds.

5. Nubian

Nubian goats yield 1565 pounds per year on average, and they lactate for 288 days a year. Nubians’ milk fat content is high.

Female goats can weigh 240 pounds at a maximum, while the male Nubians’ maximum weight is 310 pounds.

6. Oberhasli

Oberhasli goats’ milk yield is 1600 pounds per year. Similar to other goat breeds, their lactation period lasts 288 days a year and the fat content in their milk is high.

The coat of American Oberhasli is chamois-colored and solid brown, while different parts of their body including face, dorsal marking, feet, legs, face, and belly are black. The male goats weigh about 150 pounds, while the does weigh about 120 pounds.

7. Swiss Saanen

The Swiss Saanen goats yield 1640 pounds of milk, and their lactation period is 282 days per year. The fat content in these goats’ milk is high.

The Swiss Saanens are the original most well-known dairy breed around the globe because their origin is Switzerland’s Saanen Valley. Swiss Saanen males weigh between 175 and 200 pounds, while their female cohorts weigh 150 pounds on average.

8. Swiss Toggenburg

Swiss Toggenburg’s milk yield is 1620 pounds, and the goats lactate for 285 days per year. The fat content in their milk is medium-high.

The Swiss Toggenburg goats are one of the most popular and oldest dairy goat breeds. The does’ average weight is about 120 pounds, and the bucks can weigh over 200 pounds.

9. Swiss Chamoisee

Swiss Chamoisee yields 1565 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts 278 days per year. Their milk has a high-fat content.

Swiss Chamoisee goats are the next most common dairy goat breed after the Saanen. The Chamoisees are characterized by a particular color and pattern combination that makes them stand out. Male Chamoisee goats’ maximum weight is 180 pounds, while females average 132 pounds.

10. Appenzell

Appenzell goats’ milk yield is 1480 pounds, and they lactate for 278 days per year. The fat content in their milk is from medium to high.

Appenzells are a rare goat breed native to Switzerland. The FAO has placed them on the endangered species list.

Appenzell goats have a medium build, with bucks weighing approximately 140 pounds while does weighing approximately 100 pounds.

11. Murciana Granadina

The amount of milk that Murciana Granadina goats produce 1355-2000 pounds, and their lactation period lasts 257-270 days a year. The fat content in their milk is medium-high.

The Murciana Granadina goats are a crossbreed between mahogany-colored Murciana goats and the black Granadina goats. The maximum weights of males and females are 135 pounds and 110 pounds respectively.

12. Malaguena

The Malaguena’s milk yield is 1320 pounds, and they lactate for 255-260 days per year. Their milk has a medium-high fat content.

Malaguena is among several Spanish goat breeds known for producing a lot of milk. The breed has a medium build and a medium-sized coat that is pale red.

13. Canaria

Canaria goats yield 1,435 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts for 255 days per year. The fat content in their milk is high.

Canaria goats are sturdy and have a good mothering instinct. They are mostly found in Canary Islands, Spain. They are a fantastic option for individuals seeking a dual-purpose goat breed because the goats are resistant to common diseases found in most goats.

Read more about Goat breed for Fiber – Pygora Goats

14. Guadarrama

The Guadarrama’s milk yield is 1,210 pounds, and they lactate for 210 days per year. Their milk has a medium fat content.

Madrid is home to the Guadarrama mountain goats. This goat breed is extremely rare and is on the verge of extinction. The goats are raised for both their meat and milk and they produce a lot of milk.

15. Barbari

Barbari goats can yield 250 – 342 pounds of milk per year, and their lactation period varies from 160 to 190 days. The fat content in their milk is low.

Barbari goats’ size ranges from small to medium, native to India and Pakistan. This breed of goat produces the best-tasting milk in India.

Does weigh 50 – 80 pounds, while bucks weigh 80 – 100 pounds.

16. Beetal

Beetal goats can yield 440 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts 198 days per year. The fat content in their milk is low.

Beetal goats are known for both their exceptional meat production and milk productivity. They are tall and both sexes have medium-sized horns. Mature females weigh 100 – 132 pounds, while adult males can weigh 188 pounds at maximum.

17. Jamunapuri

Jamunapuri goats can yield 475 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts 220 days per year. The fat content in their milk is low.

Jamunapuris have Roman noses, and their upper jaws are often undershot. Adult males and females can weigh 145 and 200 pounds at maximum, respectively.

18. Malabari

Malabari goats can yield 110-440 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts 181-210 days per year.

The Malabaris are native to north Kerala, India. Their coat comes in various colors. They are little goats that can weigh a maximum of 90 pounds for males and 70 pounds for females.

19. Maltese

Maltese goats can yield 980 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts 200 days per year. The fat content in their milk is medium.

Maltese is an Italian goat breed whose origin was Malta. They come in a variety of colors and hair lengths, but those seen in Italy are typically white and long-haired.

Male and female Malteses have average weights of 101 and 155 pounds, respectively.

20. Girgentana

Girgentana goats can yield 770 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts 200 days per year. The fat content in their milk is medium-low.

This medium-sized Italian breed produces a lot of milk and has highly distinctive corkscrew-like longhorns.

21. Ionica

Ionica goats can yield 730 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts 200 days per year. The fat content in their milk is low.

Ionica is another Italian goat breed having a medium build and moderate milk production. They lack horns and their lop ears are long.

22. Garganica

Garganica goats can yield 475 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts 200 days per year. The fat content in their milk is low.

Garganica is a dual-purpose breed, characterized by long black hair. They have flat & twisted backward longhorns as well as a bearded straight face.

23.Kilis

Kilis goats can yield 560 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts 270 days per year. The fat content in their milk is low.

Damascus and Anatolian Black goats were crossed to create the Kilis. Most of them are black, although some are grey. The goats have long hair & may have horns.

23. Poitevine or Poitou

Poitevine goats can yield 1150 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts 230 days per year. The fat content in their milk is medium.

The French breed is new. They have a medium build and thrive in temperate climates. Poitevine goats provide the most milk in France, only less than French Alpine and Saanen.

24. Damascus

Damascus goats can yield 1,125 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts 255 days per year. The fat content in their milk is medium.

The Damascus are tall goats with a Roman nose and reddish-brown shaggy fur. The breed is relatively prolific. Males’ and females’ maximum weights are 190 and 145 pounds, respectively.

25. Serrana

Serrana goats can yield 770 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts 240 days per year. The fat content in their milk is medium.

Serrana goats are a medium-sized Portuguese breed. Their fur is reddish-brown, and they usually have horns, beards & wattles.

26. Nordic

Nordic goats can yield 1430 pounds of milk, and their lactation period lasts 275 days per year. The fat content in their milk is medium.

Nordic goats are native to Norway, Sweden, and Finland. They have long hair and come in various colors, the most common of which is brown. Their legs are short, their ears are upright, while the horns are saber-shaped and sometimes polled.

Read More: Best Calf Milk Replacers. Whether you bought a bottle calf or mama cow isn’t taking care of her baby like she should, calf milk replacers can be a healthy alternative. Check out our top picks!

Final words 

Our article has provided you with basic information, including milk yield, lactation period, fat content, and some characteristics, about 26 goat breeds located all around the world. Besides the mentioned breeds, you can also read about Galla, an indigenous breed to Kenya.

We hope this is an adequate answer to your question of what breed of goat produces the best milk.