Alpine goats, sometimes referred to as the
Alpine Dairy, are hardy medium-sized milking goats.
Alpine goats are originally from the French
Alps. They have no set markings and they have erect ears, horns, and have a
dish-face. They have a straight face with a Roman nose. Mature female Alpine
goats weigh around 125 lbs, and are about 30 inches tall at the shoulder.
Alpine goats can range from
white or gray to brown and black. Alpine colors are described by using the
following terms:
·Cou Blanc - (coo blanc) literally "white neck" - white
front quarters and black hindquarters with black or gray markings on the head.
·Cou Clair - (coo clair) Literally "clear neck" - front
quarters are tan, saffron, off-white, or shading to gray with black hindquarters.
·Cou Noir (coo nwah) literally "black neck" - Black
front quarters and white hindquarters.
·Sundgau - (sundgow) black with white markings such as underbody,
facial stripes, etc.
·Pied - spotted or mottled.
·Chamoisee - (shamwahzay) brown or bay - characteristic markings
are black face, dorsal stripe, feet and legs and sometimes a martingale running
over the withers and down to the chest. Spelling for male is chamoise.
·Two-tone Chamoisee - light front quarters with brown or grey
hindquarters. This is not a cou blanc or cou clair as these terms are reserved
for animals with black hindquarters.
·Broken Chamoisee - a solid chamoisee broken with another color
by being banded or splashed, etc.
Any variation in the above
patterns broken with white should be described as a broken pattern such as a
broken cou blanc.
Alpine Goats are hardy, adaptable milk
goats that thrive in almost any climate while maintaining good health and
excellent production.
About Alpine Goats
