Breed · Goat breed
LaMancha
Capra hircus
Also known as: American LaMancha
The LaMancha is an American dairy goat instantly recognised by its very short external ears. Developed in the United States from Spanish-descended goats, it is valued for a calm temperament and steady milk production.
Record
Livestock breed- Breed of
- Goats
- Species
- Goat (Capra hircus)
- Type
- Dairy
- Origin
- Western United States, United States
- Recognition
- Registered
- Conservation status
- Not establishedReported per source and date (e.g. FAO DAD-IS); not a fixed property of the breed.
- Registries
- FAO DAD-IS · Global · as of 2026-07-12Breed recorded in the global inventory of livestock breeds.
- The Livestock Conservancy · United States · as of 2026-07-12A U.S.-developed heritage dairy breed noted in conservation contexts; consult the current priority list for the present category.
- Adaptation
- A hardy, adaptable dairy goat kept across a range of North American climates; like all goats it benefits from adequate shelter, forage, and clean water.
- Primary uses
- Milk production, Dairy crossbreeding
Registry listing or variety protection is jurisdiction- and date-specific and does not by itself indicate current commercial availability, universal cultivation approval, patent status, or a recommendation.
The LaMancha is a dairy goat developed in the United States, principally in the western states, from short-eared goats of Spanish descent. It is the only major dairy-goat breed generally recognised as having been developed in the United States and is registered by American dairy-goat associations.
Its most distinctive feature is its very short external ears, which occur in two recognised forms: the "gopher" ear, extremely short with little or no cartilage, and the slightly longer "elf" ear. The breed is known for a calm, tractable temperament and dependable dairy performance.
Origin and development
The LaMancha was developed in the United States in the twentieth century from short-eared goats tracing to Spanish stock brought to the Americas. Selection produced a standardised dairy breed with the characteristic short ear and reliable milk output, now maintained in American dairy-goat herd books.
Physical characteristics
- Gopher ear
- Very short ear with little or no cartilage, essentially no external ear structure; required for registered bucks under some registries.
- Elf ear
- Slightly longer ear with a small amount of cartilage, still much shorter than in other breeds.
- General conformation
- Medium-sized, sturdy dairy goat with a straight facial profile, occurring in many colours.
Production and temperament
The LaMancha is valued for a steady, persistent lactation and milk with good butterfat, together with a notably calm temperament that suits hand-milking and smallholder management. It is used in both purebred dairy herds and crossbreeding.
Relationships
Evidence-backed connections in the knowledge graph.
Farming systems
Scope & limitations
Geographic scope: Primarily North America; a U.S.-developed dairy breed with a presence elsewhere. Husbandry and regulation vary by country.
Climate context: Adaptable dairy goat kept across temperate and warmer North American climates with management.
- This is a breed characterisation, not husbandry, breeding, or veterinary guidance.
- Milk yield and composition are highly management-dependent and are described only qualitatively here.
- Conservation status is left as unknown here: as a national breed its FAO DAD-IS risk category is population-specific and changes over time; consult current listings.
Sources
This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.
- [1]DAD-IS — Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Cited for: Breed record and characterisation in the global inventory
- Type:
- Official registry
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- [2]The Livestock Conservancy — breed conservation priority list (opens in a new tab)High
The Livestock Conservancy
Cited for: Conservation context for a U.S. heritage dairy breed
- Type:
- Official registry
- Jurisdiction:
- United States
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- Moderate
Cited for: General background on the LaMancha goat
- Type:
- Reference database
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12