Saanen goat
FAO (2007): no concern[1] | |
Other names | |
---|---|
Country of origin | Switzerland |
Distribution | worldwide |
Standard | |
Use | milk |
Traits | |
Weight | |
Height | |
Skin colour | white |
Wool colour | white |
Horn status | horned or hornless |
Notes | |
short-haired | |
The Saanen
History
The Saanen originates in the historic region of Saanen (French: Comté de Gessenay) and in the neighbouring Simmental, both in the Bernese Oberland, in the southern part of the Canton of Bern, in western Switzerland.[4]
It is reported from more than eighty countries. The total world population is reported to be over 900,000 head.[3] Of these, some 14,000 are in Switzerland.[5]: 404
It has since the nineteenth century been exported to many countries of the world, and has given rise to many local sub-breeds, often through
A black variant, the
Characteristics
The Saanen is the largest breed of Swiss goat:[5]: 404 billies stand about 90 cm (35 in) at the withers and weigh a minimum of 85 kg (190 lb).[2] It has white skin and a short white coat; some small pigmented areas may be tolerated.[2] It may be horned or hornless, and tassels may be present. The profile may be straight or somewhat concave; the ears are erect and point upwards and forwards.[5]: 404
Use and management
The Saanen is the most productive milk goat of Switzerland,[5]: 404 which has the most productive milking goats in the world.[5]: 345 Average milk yield is 838 kg in a lactation of 264 days.[5]: 404 The milk should have a minimum of 3.2% fat and 2.7% protein.[2]
It is not well suited to extensive management, and is usually raised intensively. Being pale-skinned, it does not tolerate strong sun.[5]: 404
Notes
References
- ISBN 9789251057629. Accessed October 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g Rassenstandards (Ausgabe 01.01.2014) (in German). Fédération suisse d'élevage caprin/Schweizerischer Ziegenzuchtverband/Federazione svizzera d'allevamento caprino. Archived 3 February 2015.
- ^ a b Transboundary breed: Saanen. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed October 2016.
- ^ Saanen/Switzerland. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed October 2016.
- ^ ISBN 9781780647944.
- ISBN 9780192807106.