Saanen Goat Scientific Name: Capra hircus hircus saanen
Saanen goats have been domesticated and have lived alongside humans for centuries. They still retain some of their wild behavior such as herding (they prefer to live in groups of two or more, and in the wild can be found in groups of up to a hundred individuals) and competing for status through head-butting contests.
STATUS: Domesticated; not endangered or threatened. However, saanen goats and other dairy goats of the capra hircus species are often cross-bred with one another, and pure-breds of the saanen breed are now relatively rare.
HABITAT: Saanen goats are originally from Switzerland, from the Saanen Valley, and this is how they got their name. Their high quality milk production led to their spread in popularity throughout Europe as a dairy goat, and they are now found in many other areas of the world.
DIET: Saanen goats love to browse (eat leaves or other plant growth) but will eat grass much like a sheep if necessary. They eat hay, millet or other grain, and clover in particular. They drink one or two gallons of water a day.
Picky Eaters Contrary to popular belief, goats do not eat clothes or any other kind of fabric. They are actually very selective eaters, much more so than dogs, cows, or sheep. Besides being choosy about what kind of food they eat, goats will also reject food that is dirty, smelly, wilted, or has been on the ground. They also do not like to get wet – in captivity, they like to enter their barn or similar shelters during rainy periods.
Saanens are the largest and one of the calmest of the dairy breeds. The Saanen breed also produces the most milk on average and tends to have a lower butterfat content, about 2.5%-3%.
The Saanen temperament is as a rule, calm and mild mannered; breeders have been known to refer to them as living marshmallows. Saanen goats are easier for children to handle and are popular in the showmanship classes due to their calm nature. They originated in the Saanen valley in the south of Canton Berne, Switzerland. In 1893 several thousand head were taken out of the valley and spread throughout Europe. Between 1904 and the 1930′s approximately 150 Saanens were imported into the United States from Switzerland.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Saanen goats are white or cream-colored (white preferred )Spots on the skin are not discriminated against. Small spots of color on the hair are allowable, but not desirable.The hair should be short and fine, although a fringe over the spine and thighs is often present. Ears should be erect and alertly carried, preferably pointing forward. The face should be straight or dished. A tendency toward a roman nose is discriminated against. Bucks (males) are usually around 40 inches tall from the ground to their shoulders (known as the withers), and does (females) should be feminine, and not coarse. are around 30 inches tall. They weigh around 150 to 200 pounds. Because of their light coloring they are susceptible to sunburn and performs best in cooler conditions. The provision of shade is essential and tan skin is preferable. One individual lived to be 22 years old, but most commonly their lifespan is closer to 9-15 years. Goats also do not have an upper row of teeth, but instead use enamel plates that grind across their bottom teeth.
Saanen goats have been domesticated and have lived alongside humans for centuries. They still retain some of their wild behavior such as herding (they prefer to live in groups of two or more, and in the wild can be found in groups of up to a hundred individuals) and competing for status through head-butting contests.
STATUS: Domesticated; not endangered or threatened. However, saanen goats and other dairy goats of the capra hircus species are often cross-bred with one another, and pure-breds of the saanen breed are now relatively rare.
HABITAT: Saanen goats are originally from Switzerland, from the Saanen Valley, and this is how they got their name. Their high quality milk production led to their spread in popularity throughout Europe as a dairy goat, and they are now found in many other areas of the world.
DIET: Saanen goats love to browse (eat leaves or other plant growth) but will eat grass much like a sheep if necessary. They eat hay, millet or other grain, and clover in particular. They drink one or two gallons of water a day.
Picky Eaters Contrary to popular belief, goats do not eat clothes or any other kind of fabric. They are actually very selective eaters, much more so than dogs, cows, or sheep. Besides being choosy about what kind of food they eat, goats will also reject food that is dirty, smelly, wilted, or has been on the ground. They also do not like to get wet – in captivity, they like to enter their barn or similar shelters during rainy periods.
Saanens are the largest and one of the calmest of the dairy breeds. The Saanen breed also produces the most milk on average and tends to have a lower butterfat content, about 2.5%-3%.
The Saanen temperament is as a rule, calm and mild mannered; breeders have been known to refer to them as living marshmallows. Saanen goats are easier for children to handle and are popular in the showmanship classes due to their calm nature. They originated in the Saanen valley in the south of Canton Berne, Switzerland. In 1893 several thousand head were taken out of the valley and spread throughout Europe. Between 1904 and the 1930′s approximately 150 Saanens were imported into the United States from Switzerland.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Saanen goats are white or cream-colored (white preferred )Spots on the skin are not discriminated against. Small spots of color on the hair are allowable, but not desirable.The hair should be short and fine, although a fringe over the spine and thighs is often present. Ears should be erect and alertly carried, preferably pointing forward. The face should be straight or dished. A tendency toward a roman nose is discriminated against. Bucks (males) are usually around 40 inches tall from the ground to their shoulders (known as the withers), and does (females) should be feminine, and not coarse. are around 30 inches tall. They weigh around 150 to 200 pounds. Because of their light coloring they are susceptible to sunburn and performs best in cooler conditions. The provision of shade is essential and tan skin is preferable. One individual lived to be 22 years old, but most commonly their lifespan is closer to 9-15 years. Goats also do not have an upper row of teeth, but instead use enamel plates that grind across their bottom teeth.
