Anglo-Nubian
goats were developed in England by crossing British goats with African and
Indian bucks.
Anglo
Nubians are all-purpose goats (meat, milk and hide production). They are not a
heavy milk producer but they have a high average butter fat content (between
four and five percent). The Anglo Nubian breeding season is much longer than
that of the Swiss breeds so it is possible to produce milk year round.
They
are best suited for milk production in hot conditions and are used in
grading-up programs in many tropical countries to increase milk and meat
production of local breeds.
Anglo-Nubian
goats are a relatively large, proud, and graceful dairy goat. They are named
for Nubia, in northeastern Africa. The original goats imported from Africa,
Arabia, and India were long-legged, hardy goats that had some characteristics
desired by goat breeders in England. English breeders crossed these imported
bucks on the common short-haired does of England prior to 1895 to develop the
Anglo-Nubian goat. In the United States the breed is usually spoken of as the
Nubian.
Anglo-Nubians
are an aristocratic appearing goat and have very long, pendulous ears that hang
close to their heads. Anglo-Nubians carries a decidedly Roman nose and are
always short-haired.
Any
solid or parti-colored coat is permitted in the Anglo-Nubian, but black, red or
tan are the most common colors, any of which may be carried on combination with
white. Usually there is shorter hair on the Anglo-Nubian males, particularly
along the back and on the thigh, than is commonly found on the Swiss breeds.
The
udder of the Anglo-Nubian is capacious but is sometimes more pendulous than
that of the Swiss breeds. A mature doe should stand at least 30 inches at the
withers and weigh 135 pounds or over, while the males should stand at least 35
inches at the withers and weigh at least 175 pounds. The Anglo-Nubian usually
gives less milk than the Swiss breeds, but produces a milk of higher butterfat
content.