Some goat breeds naturally stay small, making them ideal for small farms or backyard setups. Their compact size allows them to thrive in limited spaces while still being productive for milk, meat, or companionship.
These small goats are often easier to manage compared to larger breeds. Their reduced size means they eat less feed while still producing milk or meat. They also can adapt to various climates and terrains, from hilly pastures to confined enclosures, without losing their health or productivity. In addition to their practicality, small goats are often friendly and social.
Small Goat Breeds
Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Nigerian Dwarf goats, originating from West Africa and refined in the United States, are one of the smallest dairy breeds, standing just 17 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder. These elegant, miniature animals with their refined bone structure and varied coat colors produce remarkably rich milk—up to two quarts daily with 6-10% butterfat—ideal for cheese, soap, and family use.
Pygmy Goats
Pygmy goats, descendants of West African Dwarf goats imported to the U.S. in the mid-20th century, are compact and stocky, typically measuring 16 to 23 inches in height with a barrel-shaped body. Primarily raised for meat due to their fast growth and high-quality carcass, they also serve as delightful pets, known for their mischievous personalities and ability to breed year-round.
Mini Alpine Goats
Mini Alpine goats, a scaled-down version of the classic French Alpine breed, were developed by crossing Nigerian Dwarfs with full-sized Alpines to create productive mini-milkers under 24 inches tall. These lively goats boast the distinctive upright ears and colorful markings of their larger counterparts, producing about two-thirds the milk volume—around 1-2 gallons weekly—of standard Alpines with similar butterfat content. Ideal for hobby farms, they offer a balance of dairy output and manageability, requiring less space and feed while maintaining the breed’s energetic foraging habits.
Mini Nubian Goats
Mini Nubian goats, a hybrid breed resulting from Nubian and Nigerian Dwarf crosses, stand 20-24 inches high and feature the signature long, floppy ears and Roman nose in a petite package. Renowned for their sweet, high-butterfat milk—up to 1.5 quarts daily—they’re perfect for small-scale cheesemaking or fresh consumption, with a calm temperament that suits families. These goats inherit the Nubian’s vocal tendencies but in a more contained size, making them easier to handle for milking or showing.
Mini Toggenburg Goats
Mini Toggenburg goats, miniaturized from Switzerland’s Toggenburg breed via Nigerian Dwarf genetics, reach heights of 20-23 inches and display the breed’s fawn coat with white dorsal stripes and erect ears. As dedicated dairy producers, does yield 1-2 gallons of milk per week with a rich, nutty flavor suited for specialty cheeses like chèvre.
Mini LaMancha Goats
Mini LaMancha goats, derived from crossing LaManchas with Nigerian Dwarfs, are identifiable by their unique “gopher” or “elf” ear stubs and compact frames under 23 inches tall. These quirky mini-milkers produce creamy milk—about 1-1.5 gallons weekly—with high butterfat for yogurt and ice cream, all while being remarkably friendly and trainable.
Mini Oberhasli Goats
Mini Oberhasli goats, a diminutive take on the Swiss Oberhasli breed, measure 20-24 inches and feature the signature bay color with black markings and straight facial profiles. Developed for efficiency, they deliver 1-2 gallons of flavorful milk weekly, boasting good butterfat levels ideal for fresh drinking or soft cheeses.
Pygora Goats
Pygora goats, a deliberate cross between Pygmy and Angora goats, stand 18-24 inches tall and are prized for their dual-purpose fleece—producing three types: fine mohair, cashgora, or a blend suitable for spinning and felting. These fluffy, petite animals weigh around 40-60 pounds, with does occasionally offering modest milk yields for household use.
Nigora Goats
Nigora goats, blending Nigerian Dwarf milking traits with Angora fiber qualities, are tiny at 18-22 inches high and weigh 40-70 pounds, offering a versatile mini breed for milk and mohair. Does produce up to a quart of high-butterfat milk daily alongside soft, fine fleece that shears annually, perfect for handspinning into yarns or felts.
Kinder Goats
Kinder goats, created in the 1980s by crossing Nubians with Pygmies, result in sturdy minis standing 20-24 inches tall with floppy ears and a meaty build for dual dairy and meat production. Does yield 1-2 quarts of rich, buttery milk daily—up to 7% fat—while kids grow quickly to market weight, making them economical for small farms.
Mini Silky Fainting Goats
Mini Silky Fainting goats, a specialty breed under 23 inches tall, combine the myotonic “fainting” trait with long, flowing Silky Terrier-like coats that nearly touch the ground. Developed for ornamental appeal, they stiffen and topple when startled, providing comic relief as pets rather than primary producers, though some offer light milking.
Australian Miniature Goats
Australian Miniature goats, bred over 20 years from rangeland stock and other minis, stand 20-24 inches high as a hardy, all-purpose breed for milk, fiber hints, and pet companionship. These balanced, friendly animals produce modest dairy yields while acting as efficient weed eaters in small acreages, with coats that may offer light cashmere undercoats.