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BREED: The Nigerian Dwarf goat is an American breed developed for small-scale dairy production and companionship.
ORIGIN: Dwarf goats evolved in West and Central Africa, mainly in coastal countries with humid, sub-humid, or savanna climates. Known collectively as West African Dwarf goats (WAD), local types vary widely in size, body proportions, and coat colors. Their size and proportions are likely to be an adaptation to their native climate, but might also reflect local preferences. Their main virtue for African villagers is the ability to thrive and produce in tsetse-infested conditions, providing milk and meat to rural smallholders.
History and Development
How Dwarf goats first came to America is unclear, although there are records of imports during 1930s–1960s, and possibly as early as 1918. Dwarf goats were first kept in zoos and occasionally in research centers. Then, as herd sizes increased, they were sold to private enthusiasts and breeders. Zookeepers and breeders throughout the United States and Canada began to notice two different body types: one stocky, short-legged, and heavy-boned (achondroplastic dwarfism); the other slenderer with normal limb proportions (proportional miniaturization).
Whereas the first type was standardized as the Pygmy goat, recognized by the American Goat Society (AGS) in 1976, there were some goats that did not fit the agreed color patterns. Breeders of the slender type sought registry with the International Dairy Goat Registry (IDGR), whose herdbook opened in 1981. By 1987, IDGR had registered 384 Nigerian Dwarf goats.
Early on, some breeders attempted to develop lines of distinctive color and pattern, but the lines were mixed by 1988, probably to enhance diversity within the small genetic foundation.
The AGS opened a herdbook in 1984 to register goats of the agreed type as Nigerian Dwarf. The breed was first shown in Texas in 1985. By 1990, only 400 were registered, so registration was kept open until the end of 1992. The book was then closed with 2000 foundation goats. However, unregistered goats meeting the standard and breeding true were accepted until the end of 1997. From then on, the AGS accepted only offspring of registered purebred parents. Initially bred as pets and show animals, enthusiasts aimed for a graceful appearance and gentle temperament. Breeders then started to develop the breed for milk production and dairy conformation.
While the IDGR continue to register the Nigerian Dwarf in its original form, other registries have also been set up to accommodate lines according to different philosophies: for example, the Nigerian Dairy Goat Association and the National Miniature Goat Association.
Since the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) started a registry in 2005, the market for kids has soared. Those meeting dairy standards are popular as homestead and 4-H milkers, while wethers and unregistered doelings have found a market as pets.
CONSERVATION STATUS: Once listed as a rare breed by the Livestock Conservancy, the population had sufficiently grown by 2013 to be removed from the priority list. By then, there was an estimated population of 30,000. There are also breeders in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
Nigerian Dwarf Goat Size, Weight, and Characteristics
DESCRIPTION: A miniature goat of balanced proportions and dairy conformation. The facial profile is straight or slightly concave, and ears medium length and erect. The coat is short to medium length. Eyes are occasionally blue. The male has a heavy beard.
COLORING: A wide variety of colors and patterns are common.
HEIGHT TO WITHERS: Normally from 17 in. to 23.5 in. (for bucks) and 22.5 in. (for does).
WEIGHT: Around 75 lb. (34 kg).
Popularity and Productivity
POPULAR USE: Home dairy, 4-H, and pets.
PRODUCTIVITY: 1–2 quarts/liters per day for up to 10 months. The milk is sweet and exceptionally high in butterfat (over 6%) and protein (average 3.9%), making it excellent for cheese and butter. Does usually breed in any season, so are sometimes bred three times over two years, leaving at least a six-month rest. Does rarely suffer from kidding problems. They make excellent mothers and can dry off naturally if required. These traits make them ideal for a moderate, year-round milk supply.
Prolific breeders, does are normally fertile from 17–22 weeks old, and bucks from 7–17 weeks. However, breeders prefer to wait a year before breeding doelings, so they can grow and develop. Multiple kids (often three or four) are common per litter.
TEMPERAMENT: Generally gentle and calm, they are gregarious in nature and friendly when raised around people.
Health, Hardiness, and Adaptability
ADAPTABILITY: They are hardy and adapt to most climates and husbandry conditions, although they do require fencing that accounts for their small size and propensity to explore. Despite their small size, Nigerian Dwarf goats’ lifespan is comparable to that of standard-sized domestic goats. Their hardiness equips them to live for 15–20 years, if well cared for.
Two health issues have shown up in some lines that may be heritable; squamous cell carcinoma (a cancerous tumor under the tail) and carpal hyperextension (where knees bend backwards with age) are currently being studied.
BIODIVERSITY: The original WAD foundation has high genetic diversity with a great variation in size, color, and other traits, including useful health traits. WAD individuals at range are often smaller than those in research centers and those exported to Europe and America. For example, adult weights of 40–75 lb. (18–34 kg) and heights of 15–22 inches (37–55 cm) have been recorded in Nigeria. The greater Nigerian Dwarf goats’ weight and size seen in America may be due to the genetic potential of the chosen foundation stock and selective breeding for production, combined with easier living conditions and more plentiful feed. On the other hand, selective breeding for cuteness could lead to increased miniaturization, which might impact health. For this reason, some registries impose a minimum size to discourage breeding to extremes.
QUOTE: “The versatility of the Nigerian Dwarf, as well as its hardiness and gentle disposition, have given it great appeal … Breed conservation will be best served by building consensus around a vision for the breed that includes its unique combination of characteristics.” ALBC, 2006.
Sources
- American Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Association
- The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC, now The Livestock Conservancy): 2006 archive.
- Nigerian Dairy Goat Association
- nigeriandwarf.org
- Sponenberg, D.P., 2019. Local Goat Breeds in the United States. In Goats (Capra)–From Ancient to Modern. IntechOpen.
- American Goat Society
- Ngere, L.O., Adu, I.F. and Okubanjo, I.O., 1984. The indigenous goats of Nigeria. Animal Genetic Resources, 3, 1–9.
- Hall, S.J.G., 1991. Body dimensions of Nigerian cattle, sheep and goats. Animal Science, 53(1), 61–69.
Lead photo by Theresa Hertling from Pixabay.
Originally published in the May/June 2023 issue of Goat Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy.
