Distribution of goat breeds

According to Identitas, there were over 92,500 goats in Switzerland at the end of 2020, of which fewer than 12,000 were male. Products made from goat's milk have become increasingly popular in recent years, making farming dairy goats more attractive.

Dairy goats
Dairy goats are those breeds which produce a minimum quantity of 600kg of milk per year with the corresponding fat percentages. The average for dairy goats is around 750kg of milk per year or 3kg of milk per day (for around 280 milking days per year). High yield goats can actually produce twice as much. Classic dairy goats include Saanen, Toggenburg, Appenzell, Chamois Coloured, Grisons Striped, German White Noble, German Improved Fawn, Coloured Dutch, Pinzgauer, Tauernscheck and Thuringian goats.

Meat goats
Meat goats are characterised by particularly good meat and a rapid daily growth in the young animals. Boer goats from South Africa are particularly popular for farming goat meat only. Their daily weight gain in the first months is up to 200g. However, Valais Blackneck, Grisons Striped, Rove, Cashmere, Peacock, Pinzgauer and Thuringian goats are also considered particularly suitable for meat goat farming.

Wool goats
Wool goats have particularly fine, wool-like hair. They include Angora and Cashmere goats. Angora goats are sheared twice to produce mohair wool. The yield is 3-6kg of wool per animal per year. By contrast, Cashmere goats are not shorn. Instead, the soft undercoat is combed out. The yield is significantly lower, averaging 140g per animal per year.

Goat breeds for landscape management
In addition, goats are also used to manage landscapes in scrubby and rough terrain. Strong and robust breeds are considered particularly suitable for this purpose. These include Valais Blackneck, Grisons Striped, Nera Verzasca, Boer, Cashmere and Pinzgau goats in particular.

Endangered goat breeds
Endangered breeds are those which have fewer than 1,000 breeding females registered in the herd book or those breeds with increased inbreeding. The following are classed as endangered: Valais Blackneck, Copperneck, Peacock, Booted, Capra Grigia, Appenzell, Grison Striped, Nera Verzasca, Rove, Harz, Thuringian, Black Forest and Tauernscheck goats.