Cheers to your new adventure!!! Sometimes, they will specifically be mated with Boers to make even larger goats for meat. You can find more about those HERE. My favorite hybrid is Ober/Alpine cross, by the way, and they make for a beautiful goat as well. Running pack goats is one of the most rewarding … About Breeds ; Lease Agreement; Pack Goat Links; Contact; Our Adventures. Hand-raised goats are polite, inquisitive, sure-footed and willing companions, capable of carrying 25-30% of their body weight, approximately 30-65 pounds. 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I turned off the highway at the small green and white sign that read Pack Idaho. The Asmari is a large breed of goat originating in the Kunar province of Afghanistan. Warnke’s pack goats are mostly Alpine crosses, and they’re noticeably taller and more athletic than the average barnyard Boer goat. They have the most heart, athleticism, confirmation, and size, all characteristics I look for. Overall, I’m trying to give advice that, in my opinion, will produce a wide range of success, and for that, I would avoid this breed. When a goat has a deep body, he is carrying inefficient weight. Please don’t guess and try to save yourself a few dollars. As a result of the efforts of Pro Specie Rara, a Swiss conservation group, three breeds of goats will be added to the official list of recognized Swiss goats published in 2021. Previous Next. Known for their beautiful coats and striking colors, Oberhasli is a great family milk goat. 1998 - First Trip to King's Peak; 2001 - First Ever Rental - Wind River Mountains, WY; 2002-Highline Trail, Unita Mountains ; 2005 - The Girl from Guatamla; 2006 - Hiking with Friends; 2007 - Mapping the Contenental Divide Trail; NAPgA Standards; The Current Pack String . They are small to medium in size and can come in many colors. Nubians have a convex nose and very long floppy ears that extend an inch past their nose. If you would like to know where to go to find proven packer genetics click here. If you are here for the first time, look through the FAQ first and then start reading the blogs. I love their attitude and loving nature. They are a good goat for both of those things if the color works for you…. Most Obers will finish near 150 lbs. After their fourth year you now have a goat that constantly has his head in the hay feeder. Many people have packed successfully with many different goats. TOP 12 LARGE GOAT BREEDS . Please note: I’ve written this article based on personal experience and preferences based on that experience. Nubian dairy goat is a larger breed standing at 30 inches tall and weighs on average 135 lbs. Pack Goats are becoming increasingly popular as evidenced by the picture at the left. 1998 - First Trip to King's Peak; 2001 - First Ever Rental - Wind River Mountains, WY; 2002-Highline Trail, Unita Mountains ; 2005 - The Girl from Guatamla; 2006 - Hiking with Friends; 2007 - Mapping the Contenental Divide Trail; NAPgA Standards; To subscribe to the email list for the packgoat community today! Hiking with pack goats is gaining popularity. They generally produce 3.16 kg of milk that is 3.72% fat. Both of these breeds by themselves (pure breeds) I would skip as packers for several reasons. This large breed goat is really known for their long pendulous ears and a Roman nose. The pack goat equipment I make is handcrafted for authentic pack goat gear. However, I have found them to have less heart than Alpines. Note that animals … Fainting Goats. Bonding with humans is exceptional. Erv and Teri Crowther run the small organic farm that supplies my neighborhood convenience store with raw cow milk and the best yogurt I’ve ever tasted. For info on where to buy goats, check out our Goats for Sale page. One thing I do love about these breeds is their easy-going nature because they have submissive tendencies. Funny to watch, these goats fall over and freeze up for a few seconds if you startle them. The Guernsey goat breed is the smallest of medium-sized dairy goats. Sabor/Ober and lastly, Alpine/Lamancha are my other favorites. #thegoatguy #backcountry #topendadventurePack goats belong in the backcountry. Additionally, to determine this from the look of its mother and father is total guesswork for a beginner. Some have had great luck with them; I’m personally just not a fan. Jamunapari breeds are found mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Lastly, there are still years of work to do to truly know the facts about breeding as this is still a new sport. Then, I’ll share with you what I’ve found doesn’t work well and why. Now, bear in mind that basing your decision off of looking at a buck, doe, or baby is PhD level knowledge. I’m also not a fan of really long goats which is what the dairy industry is currently breeding for. … Goats were domesticated as long as 9,000 to 11,000 years ago in the near East. You want a goat with something for the saddle to “sit” on and have a wide and stable stance. But five factors outweigh which breed you choose. Goats are ideal pack animals for backpackers and day-hikers. While there is no one specific breed for a pack goat (at least as of yet), there is certainty that specific breeds (or cross breeds) of goats perform better at packing than do others. Pet Goat Breeds 19. It has pronounced Roman nose having a tuft of hair which results in parrot mouth appearance. Alpine goats are an amazing dairy source for those who don’t have room for a dairy cow. Disclosure. They are possibly the most intelligent breed. Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk about breeds. The three breeds aren’t new — but quite old. Enjoy this presentation by Marc Warnke on how to train pack goats. In comparison to the $500 you will spend on a proven packer, the $400 in savings will cost you three times that, if after 4 years, you have a little goat that can’t pack. Erv and Teri Crowther run the small organic farm that supplies my neighborhood convenience store with raw cow milk and the best yogurt I’ve ever tasted. The Guernsey goats are sometimes called olden Guernsey. They have the bone structure and are a “close to feral” goat. I turned off the highway at the small green and white sign that read Pack Idaho. The domestic goat or simply goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) is a subspecies of C. aegagrus domesticated from the wild goat of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. Lamanchas are quickly becoming a breed I’m getting more interested in. Subsequently, Saanens have become the second most popular dairy goat breed in the US. We selectively breed, bond with, and train pack goats. Alpines can be too slender sometimes. Goat breeds Indian goat breeds. In this presentation by a pack goat enthusiast, he goes into detail of how he uses pack goats for hunting. It is my understanding that size is emphasized and seems to be the most important factor in the pack goat industry. In 1493, Columbus brought goats to America. They have the most heart, athleticism, confirmation, and size, all characteristics I look for. This pack goat kid reservation service allows you to specify your preferred breed or hybrid, sex, and number of baby goats. I do know of a few people who have had luck with them and would swear by the goats they have so there is something there. Family owned and operated Butt-Head Pack Goats has been in business since 1988. Hand-raised goats are polite, inquisitive, sure-footed and willing companions, capable of carrying 25-30% of their body weight, approximately 30-65 pounds. It is my understanding that size is emphasized and seems to be the most important factor in the pack goat industry. 1998 - First Trip to King's Peak; 2001 - First Ever Rental - Wind River Mountains, WY; 2002-Highline Trail, Unita Mountains ; 2005 - The Girl from Guatamla; 2006 - Hiking with Friends; 2007 - Mapping the Contenental Divide Trail; NAPgA Standards; The Current Pack String . Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. They are a general purpose breed, and are mainly used as pack animals and grown for their meat and milk. Selective breeding of goats generally focuses on improving production of fiber, meat, dairy products or goatskin. I have been paying attention to it for a long time now, and now am impressed with this breed for a packer. I would also recommend buying a wethered goat (a male that has been castrated). Mixing them with other breeds has been awesome, but anything over 25% scares me as I have seen that produce a vocal goat. In 1493, Columbus brought goats to America. About Breeds ; Lease Agreement; Pack Goat Links; Contact; Our Adventures. In the 1590's the settlers brought Swiss breeds … When you cross goat breeds, you get what is called “hybrid vigor” which helps with many things and diversifies their genetics helping them to get closer to the mountain goat they originally were. The trouble is they just put on fat quickly. Select Alpines, Oberhaslis, Saanens, Toggenburgs, La Manchas or Nubians. I have less experience with them in my string only because I have always thought their ears are weird. We offer pack goats for sale, backcountry packing … The three breeds aren’t new — but quite old. Fat goats suffer on the trail, and it’s hard to help them lose fat after an off season. That is the ultimate pack goat for me.