General Information

The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature breed of dairy goat of West African origin. Its conformation is similar to that of the larger breeds. The parts of the body are in a balanced proportion; an animal with disproportionately large head, or one with a relatively large body on short legs , is not acceptable. The profile of the face is straight, though there may be a small break or stop at the level of the eyes. The ears upright. The coat is straight, with hair that is short to medium length. There is no minimum size for either sex, however, does must not be over 22 1/2 inches tall and bucks no more than 23 1/2 inches. Any color or combination of colors is acceptable. Reference: American Goat Society Breed Standards

Cornell University - Poisonous Plants to Goats http://www.anisci.cornell.edu Langston University Goat Research Extension http://www2.luresext.edu Saanendoah http:/www.saanendoah.com

Ruminations Magazine http://www.karmadillo.com

There are many goat chat rooms, a good one is: ND_Mini_Goats_Dairy http://groups.yahoo.com

When a doe on official milk test meets the standards set for her breed and age, she is eligible to bear the title of AR doe ( Advanced Registry) and *D (star doe). A doe can only earn one star. If her daughter also earns a star, she becomes a 2*D. If her granddaughter earns a star, she becomes a 3* D, and so on. A doe is also eligible for a star if she meets the standards for her breed and age on a one-day milk test. In this case, she would not be an AR doe, which is reserved for those does on DHIR test. A doe can also earn a star if she produces three *D daughters, or two + S sons, or two *D daughters and one +S son. If the doe is also a Master Champion (she has won GCH at official shows three times under at least two different judges), she will become an ARMCH*D. A buck can be born a *S(star sire) if his dam is a *D and his sire is a +S, or if both his dam and his sire's dam are *D's. The star can be added to his record if he becomes eligible later in life. A buck earns a +S title if three of his daughters out of different dams earn stars, or if two sons earn a plus, or if two daughters are *D's and one son is a +S. If he has three daughters who are *D's and two sons who are +S, he earns two pluses. Thus a buck from a line of tested does can eventually become a ++*S. A buck becomes an AR sire if his progeny earn their titles through DHIR testing and if an AR sire becomes a Master Champion his title will be ARMCH++*S.

(taken from AGS - - -ABC's of Milk Testing)

American Goat Society http://www.americangoatsociety.com

American Dairy Goat Association http://www.adga.org

American Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Association http://www.andda.org

New England Nigerian Dwarf Association http://www.nenda.org

Jeffers Livestock Supply http://www.jefferslivestock.com

Hoeggar Goat Supply http://www.hoeggergoatsupply.com

Caprine Supply http://www.caprinesupply.com

United Caprine News http://www.unitedcaprinenews.com

Dairy Goat Journal http: www.dairygoatjournal.com