Saanen goat

Saanen goats are a white or cream-colored breed of goat, named for the Saanen valley in Switzerland. [ [http://www.saanenciftligi.com/saanening.html Akvet Sakiz Sheep and Goat Breeding Ranch - Saanen] . Retrieved 22 April 2008.] Saanens are the largest of the goat dairy breeds. Does typically weigh 150 lb (68 kg) or more, with bucks weighing over 200 lb (91 kg). The Saanen breed also produces the most milk (as a breed- there will be good and poor individuals in any breed) 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 know 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. With solid white coats and pink skin these extremely mild tempered goats are heavy milkers. They often breed every year to one or two kids. If you want milk for your own personal use you may have to separate one kid from its mother if twins are born.

The Sable Saanen is not crossbred, but is a recessive expression of color derived from the white Saanen. Sables can vary in color from beige through black, with almost any color but pure white (which would be a white Saanen). Sables are accepted as a breed in their own right in some dairy goat breed clubs but not in others.

Regardless of color, the Saanen breed is large and big boned but graceful and refined in bone, the ears are erect, and the nose is straight or dished. Both does and bucks usually have beards unless trimmed up for a show, and horns, unless dehorned at birth (as do most other breeds).

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