Comparison · breed
Dairy goat breeds: Saanen vs Anglo-Nubian vs French Alpine vs Toggenburg
Compare the main dairy goat breeds.
| Dimension | Saanen | Anglo-Nubian | French Alpine | Toggenburg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Goat (Capra hircus) | Goat (Capra hircus) | Goat (Capra hircus) | Goat (Capra hircus) |
| Type | Dairy | Dual-purpose | Dairy | Dairy |
| Origin | Saanen valley, Bern canton, Switzerland | England, United Kingdom | French Alps, France | Toggenburg, St. Gallen canton, Switzerland |
| Primary uses | Milk production, Improver in dairy crossbreeding | Milk production (high butterfat), Meat, Crossbreeding | Milk production, Dairy crossbreeding | Milk production, Dairy crossbreeding |
| Climate adaptation | Developed in a temperate Alpine environment; performs well in temperate dairy systems and benefits from shade and shelter where sunlight and heat are intense because of its pale skin and short coat. | Carries lop-eared Asian and African ancestry associated with good tolerance of warm and hot climates, while remaining adaptable to temperate dairy systems with appropriate management. | Hardy Alpine-origin dairy goat that adapts well to varied and hilly terrain and to temperate dairy systems, with appropriate shelter and management across other climates. | Hardy Alpine-origin dairy goat well suited to cool, temperate conditions, and adaptable to other climates with appropriate shelter and management. |
| Conservation status | not-at-risk | not-at-risk | not-at-risk | not-at-risk |
Methodology
Attributes read from each entry.
Limitations
- Descriptive only; yields are management-dependent.
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
- Type:
- Official registry
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12