Anyone who thinks a goat is just a goat has never spent time on an alp with a mixed herd. Up here you find a true collection of characters: some small and elegant, others tall and powerful, some milk like champions, others take things at a more leisurely pace. Here’s a quick overview of the most important breeds:
Toggenburger Ziege (Toggenburg Goat) Link to heading
The Toggenburger is basically the pioneer among dairy goat breeds – popular for centuries. Its brown coat with white stripes on face and legs looks almost like a uniform.
- Size/Weight: about 70–80 cm tall, 45–65 kg
- Milk yield: 700–1000 kg/year
- Milk content: 3–4% fat, about 3% protein
Walliser Ziege / Walliser Schwarzhals (Valais Blackneck Goat) Link to heading
Half black, half white – like vanilla and chocolate – the Walliser Ziege is a real beauty. In the mountains, it’s also cherished as part of the local cultural heritage.
- Size/Weight: does 70–85 cm, bucks 80–90 cm, 50–90 kg
- Milk yield: 500–700 kg/year
- Milk content: 3–4% fat
Grigia (Grey Goat of Ticino) Link to heading
The “Grigia” from Ticino is elegant, hardy, and not very common. Its silver-grey coat is unmistakable.
- Size/Weight: about 70 cm tall, 45–60 kg
- Milk yield: 600–800 kg/year
- Milk content: about 3.3% fat, 3% protein
Strahlenziege (Striped Goat) Link to heading
Sporty stripes – two light lines along the back make it instantly recognizable. It comes from Graubünden and is a traditional breed there.
- Size/Weight: 70–80 cm, 45–70 kg
- Milk yield: 600–900 kg/year
- Milk content: 3.2–3.6% fat, 3% protein
Nera Verzasca (Black Verzasca Goat) Link to heading
Dressed entirely in black, the Nera Verzasca hails from the Verzasca Valley in Ticino – a true mountain goat.
- Size/Weight: 70–85 cm, 55–80 kg
- Milk yield: 600–900 kg/year
- Milk content: about 3.2–3.6% fat, 3% protein
Saanenziege (Saanen Goat) Link to heading
The queen of dairy goats! Pure white, highly adaptable, and found all over the world – including industrial goat milk production.
- Size/Weight: 75–90 cm, 50–80 kg
- Milk yield: 800–1200 kg/year, top yields up to 1500 kg
- Milk content: 3–4% fat, about 3% protein
Gemsfarbige Gebirgsziege (Chamois-Colored Mountain Goat) Link to heading
Its coloring resembles that of a chamois – hence the name. Very traditional, very robust, perfectly adapted to the mountains.
- Size/Weight: 70–85 cm, 50–75 kg
- Milk yield: 600–800 kg/year
- Milk content: about 3.3–3.6% fat, 3% protein
Pfauenziege (Peacock Goat) Link to heading
Its two dark stripes along the back make it unique. Once nearly extinct, today it’s more common again thanks to breeding programs.
- Size/Weight: 70–85 cm, 50–80 kg
- Milk yield: 600–800 kg/year
- Milk content: about 3.2–3.6% fat, 3% protein