National Miniature Goat Association

National Miniature Goat Association

Miniature Goat Breed Standard

 

The Miniature goat is one of symmetry, strength, agility and alertness as a whole.  Focus is on body structure to promote easy kidding and to possess the necessary characteristics overall for meat, dairy and pet producers.

 

Our standard is to be used as a GUIDE to encourage a formal recognition of the ideal Miniature Goat. This guide is to be considered as a standard met through selective breeding.

 

The NMGA utilizes 2 Herd Books:

 

FOUNDATION Herd Book- a goat of unknown origin/pedigree that meets the height requirements outlined by the NMGA can be registered in the FOUNDATION herd book. Through selective breeding utilizing the Miniature Goat Breed Standard, foundation goats can produce registered stock in the NMGA PUREBRED herd book.

 

PUREBRED Herd Book- Offspring of FOUNDATION goats are eligible for registration in the  PUREBRED Herd book. Goats applying to be registered in the PUREBRED book must meet the height requirement outlined by the NMGA. In conjunction with height, PB stock should meet the ideals outlined by the Breed Standard.

 

HEIGHT- Miniature goats MUST meet height requirements for registration.

 Maximum measurements for PUREBRED book:

DOES	Height at Withers	Length of Cannon
0-6 Months	18 in.	4 in.
6-12 Months	21 in.	4 in.
1 and Older	23 in.	4 ½ in.
BUCKS
0-6 Months	18 in.	4 ¼ in.
6-12 Months	22 ½ in.	4 ¼ in.
1 and Older	24 ½ in.	5 in.

 

Maximum measurements for FOUNDATION book:

DOES	Height at Withers	Length of Cannon
0-6 Months	24 in.	4 in.
6-12 Months	28 in.	5 in.
1 and older	30 in.	6 in.
BUCKS
0-6 Months	24 in.	4 ¼ in.
6-12 Months	28 ½ in.	5 in.
1 and Older	30 in.	6 in.

OVERALL APPEARANCE- Symmetry, strength, agility, alertness, blending smoothly as a whole.

 

COLOR- All colors are acceptable. Grey, Black, Bay, Tan, White, Carmel, Red, Black and Brown. Listed as Light, Medium, and Dark.  Include markings described as painted, trimmed, or agouti.

 

COAT- Uniform throughout in texture and length.

 

HEAD- Medium size, muzzle sized in proportion to length of head and broadness of forehead. Bite should not be over or under. A roman nose/concave is discouraged but will be accepted in conjunction with long ears. Genetically Horned.

 

EARS- In proportion to head; evenly set.

 

NECK- Medium length; proportioned to body structure.

 

SHOULDER- Smoothly blended and well attached.

 

LEGS- Straight from front and back view, medium bone, strong pastern, cannon relatively short, standing strongly on all 4 legs.

 

BODY- LONG, deep, and fairly wide

 

BACK-  Straight from withers to rump. A dip in the Chine is discouraged against.

 

RUMP- In proportion to body, not steep. Good length from hip to pin.

 

UDDER- Securely attached and well balanced. Strong and smooth.

TEATS - Ample ground clearance.   

DOES: 1 single orifice per side. Milkable. Free of deformities such as spurs and fish teats.          

 BUCKS:  2 single orifice teats equally positioned . Free of deformities such as spurs.

BUCK REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM- Testicles firm and equally distended; balanced.

 

MUSCLING- Light to Medium muscling.

However in breeding programs aimed toward meat production, heavy muscling is acceptable. I.e. relation to proportion, strong large bones, wide sprung ribs, wide chest floor.