Alpine (American goat breed)
 Doe with chamoisée coloration | |
 Doe with cou claire coloration and black and white wether in background | |
| Conservation status | |
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| Other names |
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| Country of origin |
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| Use | dairy, crossbreeding |
| Traits | |
| Weight |
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| Skin color | variable |
| Face color | variable |
| Horn status | horned or polled |
| Beard | bearded |
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The Alpine or American Alpine is a North American breed of medium- to large-sized domestic goat of dairy type. It may be horned or polled and has a straight facial profile and erect ears; various coloration patterns are accepted, others are disallowed.
It derives from Alpine and other goats including the British Alpine imported from Europe.[3]: 355 Mature goats should weigh at least 135 lb (61 kg), and stand over 30 in (760 mm) at the withers.
History
The Alpine derives from stock of the Alpine of the French Alps and other goats – including the British Alpine – imported from Europe.[3]: 355 Swiss Alpines are now recognized as a separate breed known as Oberhasli.[4]
Characteristics
The Alpine is a medium- to large-sized breed: mature goats should weigh at least 135 lb (61 kg), and stand over 30 in (760 mm) tall at the withers. Males stand over 32 in (810 mm) and females over 30 in (760 mm). The hair is short to medium in length; various coloration patterns are accepted, others are disallowed. The ears are erect ears and the facial profile straight.[5] It is the only breed with erect ears that comes in all colors and combinations of colors.[6]
The goats become sexually mature at four to five months for buck kids and five to six months for does. The gestation period lasts for 145–155 days, with an average of 150.[7] The number of kids varies from one to five; twin births are the most common.[7]
Alpine goats typically possess a highly curious and friendly temperament but are notably stubborn.[8]
The American Dairy Goat Association faults all-white and Toggenburg-patterned individuals.[5]
Use
The Alpine goat is, with the Saanen and the Toggenburg, one of the most productive dairy goats.[7] The milk has an average milkfat content of 3.4%;[5] the Nubian gives a lower volume of milk but with higher butterfat content.[7] The milk is higher in sugars than cows' milk but lower in protein, with an average of 2.3 g per 250 ml compared to 3.4 g for cow’s milk.[9] The overall nutritional profile is slightly higher than that of Saanen milk.[10] The milk can be made into butter, cheese, soap, ice cream or any other dairy product normally made from cow's milk.[11]
The peak period for milk production occurs four to six weeks after parturition (kidding).[7] The optimal weight at which a goat produces optimal milk production is at least 130 pounds. For the Alpine goat that number is higher at 135 pounds and produces an average of 2,134 pounds of milk per lactation.[7]
References
- ↑ Breed Data Sheet: Alpine / Canada (Goat). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2026.
- ↑ Breed Data Sheet: Alpine / United States of America (Goat). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2026.
- 1 2 Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
- ↑ Hamby, Paul (2000). "Alpine Breed History". Alpines International Breed Club. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
- 1 2 3 It is hardy and adaptable to a variety of climates.>"2015 ADGA Guidebook" (PDF). American Dairy Goat Association. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Alpine". The Canadian Goat Society. 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-03-11. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 State University, Pennsylvania. "Agricultural Alternatives: Dairy Goat Production" (PDF). College of Agricultural Science. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-08-31. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
- ↑ "Breed Standards". American Goat Society. 2009. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Goat's Mik". The British Medical Journal. 1 (2894): 855–856. June 17, 1916. doi:10.1136/bmj.1.2894.855. JSTOR 25317145. PMC 2347907. PMID 20768175.
- ↑ Leite de Souza, Evandro; Rita de Cássia Ramos do Egypto (March 27, 2014). "Comparative Protein Composition Analysis of Goat Milk Produced by the Alpine and Saanen Breeds in Northeastern Brazil and Related Antibacterial Activities". PLOS ONE. 9 (3): 2. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...993361C. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0093361. PMC 3968165. PMID 24675996.
- ↑ Ribeiro, A. C. & S. D. A. (April 2010). "Specialty products made from goat milk". Small Ruminant Research. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2009.12.048. Retrieved 21 August 2026.