How to choose a goat breed

Decide what it's for. Filter by purpose first, then compare the breeds that are left.
Compare the sizes. Doe weight, buck weight and height are side by side in the table.
Read the beginner rating. The note beside it on each breed page says what earned the score and what cost it points.
Look at who it suits. Every breed page lists who the breed is a good fit for and who should look elsewhere.

Doe weight and buck weight are for mature animals. Where a registry gives only a minimum or an average, the breed page says so.

Height is measured at the withers.

Beginner rating is our own 1 to 5 score. Five is the easiest to live with.

Typical price comes from asking prices on breeder pages. Each breed page says what kind of animal was priced and when we read the page.

	Purpose
Alpine	Milk	135 lb or more	170 lb or more	30 in or more
Angora	Fibre, Meat	70–110 lb	180–225 lb
Boer	Meat	200–225 lb	240–300 lb
Kiko	Meat	100–180 lb	200–250 lb		$250–$675
LaMancha	Milk	130 lb or more	160 lb or more	28 in or more
Myotonic	Meat, Pet	50–130 lb	80–175 lb	17 in or more	$175–$650
Nigerian Dwarf	Milk, Pet, Show, 4-H	75 lb		17–23.5 in	$160–$500
Nubian	Milk, Meat	135 lb or more	170 lb or more	30 in or more
Pygmy	Pet, Show, 4-H, Milk, Brush clearing	53–86 lb		16–23.625 in	$200–$600
Saanen	Milk	135 lb or more	170 lb or more	30 in or more

Goat breeds