The Toggenburg goat is the oldest known dairy goat breed. It was originated from the Toggenburg valley in the Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. And the breed was named after the region in Switzerland, from where the breed originated.

Today there are more than three hundred goat breeds available throughout the world. And among these goat breeds, the Toggenburg goat is considered the oldest breed. The nickname of the breed is Togg.

The breed was officially recognized in Switzerland in 1892. As of 2006, there were 850 goats found in the Toggenburg Valley and the Werdenberg region. And total 3000 goats in Switzerland, which is down from 20000 in the 1950s.

4146 Toggenburg goats had been registered with the New Zealand Dairy Goat Breeders Association by the middle of 2002.

The club St. Gallen Goat Breeders Association, registers the breed and that was founded in 1901. The Verein Ziegenfreunde was formed to protect the breed and unite breed owners.

Characteristics

The Toggenburg goat is a medium sized animal. They are sturdy, vigorous and very alert in appearance. They have soft, fine, short or medium length hair and their hair is laying flat. Their color is solid, varying from light fawn to dark chocolate with no preference for any shade.

Toggenburg goats possess a general Swiss Marked pattern with various dilutions, and there are distinct white markings on their body. Distinct white markings of the Toggenburg goat are as follows: white ears with dark spot in middle; hind legs white from hocks to hooves; forelegs white from knees downward with a dark line below knee acceptable; two white stripes down the face from above each eye to the muzzle; a white triangle on either side of the tail.

Wattles are often present in Toggenburg goat breed, which is a small rudimentary nubs of skin located on each side of the neck. And white spot may be present at root of wattles or in that area if no wattles are present.

Their face may be straight or dished but will not have what is called as the Roman nose. They have erect ears which are carried forward.

The Toggenburg does have well developed udder, and they are also noted for their excellent udder development. On average, a mature Toggenburg buck weights about 68-91 kg and a doe weights at least 55 kg. Photo from Wikipedia.

Uses

Toggenburg goat is a very old dairy goat breed. They are mainly used for milk production. But also good for meat production.

Special Considerations

The Toggenburg goats are usually friendly in behavior, and are generally quiet and gentle in temperament. Although they are classed as dairy goats, but they are also good for raising as pets mainly for their friendly and calm nature and good personality.

Toggenburg goat is considered as a very hardy goat breed, and it is often extremely curious and inquisitive animal. Crosses with meat goat breed, such as Boer or Kalahari Red Goats can add better growth rates to their kids, offering a milking line to the kids of meat goats.

The Toggenburgs are not among the best dairy goats compared to their body size. They are moderate milk producers, and their milk is relatively low in butterfat content, about 3 percent fat and 2.7 percent protein. Review full breed profile of the Toggenburg goat in the following table.