Overview of Water Buffalo and Goat Breeds

Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Large domestic buffalo species found across India to Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Borneo, and Peninsular Malaysia.

Riverine Buffalo

Mainly for milk, sometimes also for meat; chromosome number: 2n = 50; locations: India, Pakistan, Egypt, Europe.

MURRAH (River Type)

Jet black, soft and fine skin; high milk producer: 14-15 L/day, can reach 31.5 kg; elite Murrah can exceed 18 L/day.

NILI-RAVI (River Type)

Black body; large: males ~800 kg, females ~525 kg; distinct white markings on forehead, face, legs, muzzle, and tail switch.

PANDHARPURI (River Type)

Black with some white on forehead, legs, tail switch; medium size: ~450-470 kg; very long, sword-like horns (up to 1.5 m).

JAFFARABADI

Mostly black; some have gray or white markings; largest/heaviest Indian buffalo breed; milk yield: ~2238.7 kg/lactation.

SURTI (River Type)

Rusty brown to silver-grey; high milk fat content: 8-12%; milk yield: 900-1300 kg/lactation; calving age: 40-50 months.

Swamp Buffalo

Mainly for draft and meat; chromosome number: 2n = 48; locations: Southeast Asia, China, Australia.

PHILIPPINE CARABAO (Swamp Type)

Dark gray to black; used mainly for draft and meat, not milk; some albinoids (~3% of population).

VIETNAMESE BUFFALO

Species: Bubalus bubalis carabanesis; color: dark gray to black; used mainly for draft and meat.

THAILAND BUFFALO

Similar to other swamp buffalo; used mainly for draft and meat.

CHINESE BUFFALO

Used mainly for draft and meat; characteristics similar to other swamp buffalo.

CAMBODIAN BUFFALO

Used mainly for draft and meat; characteristics similar to other swamp buffalo.

Dairy breeds

Goat breeds recognized for high milk production.

Mohair (fiber) breeds

Goat breeds recognized for fiber production.

Meat breeds

Goat breeds recognized for meat production.

Alpine Dairy Goat

Known for being hardy and adaptable to various climates; excellent milkers with large, well-shaped udders.

Cou Blanc

White neck color in Alpine goats.

Cou Clair

Clear neck color in Alpine goats.

Cou Noir

Black neck color in Alpine goats.

Sundgau

Black with white markings in Alpine goats.

Pied

Spotted or mottled color in Alpine goats.

Chamoisee

Brown or bay color in Alpine goats.

Two-tone Chamoisee

Two-tone color variation in Alpine goats.

Broken Chamoisee

Broken color pattern in Alpine goats.

Broken cou blanc

Broken pattern

LA MANCHA

Developed in the U.S. by crossing short-eared Spanish goats with purebred breeds.

LA MANCHA Color

Any color.

LA MANCHA Hair

Short-haired.

LA MANCHA Face

Straight.

LA MANCHA Unique Feature

Very short ears, two types: Gopher ear - ≤ 1 inch, minimal.

ALPINE (French-Alpine Goat)

Origin: France, from Swiss foundation stock.

ALPINE Other Names

Includes French Alpine (most popular), British Alpine, Rock Alpine, Swiss Alpine.

ALPINE Color

Varies widely — from pure white to black, with many color patterns.

ALPINE Ears

Erect.

ALPINE Hair

Short-haired.

ALPINE Other Features

Cartilage, tip may turn up/down; Elf ear - ≤ 2 inches, slightly more cartilage.

ALPINE Traits

Extremely hardy and adapted to adverse conditions; produces milk high in fat content.

SAANEN

Origin: Saanen Valley, Switzerland.

SAANEN Color

Pure white preferred; other markings reduce value.

SAANEN Hair

Long or short.

SAANEN Ears

Erect and alert.

SAANEN Size

Largest among Swiss breeds.

NUBIAN

Origin: Africa.

NUBIAN Color

Any color or mix (common: black, gray, cream, white, tan, reddish brown).

NUBIAN Coat

Short and sleek.

NUBIAN Ears

Long, wide, pendulous (droopy) — extend 1 inch beyond the muzzle.

NUBIAN Head

Distinct Roman nose (strongly convex facial profile).

NUBIAN Traits

Very popular dairy breed; produces large quantities of milk; milk has lower fat content compared to other breeds.

TOGGENBURG

Origin: Switzerland; first imported to the U.S. in 1893.

TOGGENBURG Color

Light fawn to dark chocolate.

OBERHASLI

Origin: Switzerland; now also found in Europe and the U.S.

OBERHASLI Size

Medium.

OBERHASLI Ears

Erect, pointing forward, giving an alert appearance.

OBERHASLI Color

Bay (light to deep red).

SPANISH GOATS

Origin: Descendant of various milk breeds (mongrel type).

SPANISH GOATS Other Names

Also called brush goat or meat goat.

SPANISH GOATS Primary Use

Meat production; also used for milk.

BOER

Appearance: White body, brown head; long, droopy ears.

BOER Origin

Eastern Cape, South Africa, early 1900s.

MYOTONIC (WOODEN LEG)

Appearance: Black/white or mixed; upright ears.

MYOTONIC Unique Trait

When frightened or excited, muscles stiffen, causing them to 'faint' and fall over briefly.

PHILIPPINE GOAT

Two varieties of Philippine goats raised for meat production: Coarse haired type - is cream, tan, or light brown and usually polled; Fine hair variety - is black or brown and may have a white belt, usually horned.

ANGORA

Origin: Angora Province, Turkey - mountainous, dry climate with extreme temperatures.

ANGORA Color

White.

ANGORA Weight

Bucks: 125-175 lbs (56.7-79.4 kg); Does: 80-90 lbs (36.3-40.8 kg).

CASHMERE

Appearance: Various colors; upright ears, soft fluffy coat (not a breed but a type).

Care

Easy to raise, healthy, requires minimal care

Fencing

Not jumpers; can be contained with standard sheep fencing

Shelter

Needs only minimal shelter due to their insulating dual coat

Coat Traits

Dual fiber: soft cashmere + coarse guard hair = excellent insulation

Births

Single births more common than twins

Mohair Types

C Type - Ringlet mohair: tight curls, finest quality

Origin

Denmark

Use

Bred for pork production

Reputation

Known for prolific breeding and excellent mothering ability

Color

White

Build

Medium to large, long-bodied, with 16-17 ribs (lean physique)

Ears

Large, heavy, and drooping

Other Features

Fine hair, long snout

Taxonomical Classification

Kingdom: Animalia, Sub-Kingdom: Eumetazoa, Phylum: Chordata, Sub-Phylum: Vertebrata, Super-Class: Gnathostomata, Class: Mammalia, Genus: Sus, Species: scrofa or domestica

Maternal Breeds

Known for large litters and replacement females

Terminal Breeds

Known for growth and carcass quality. Used in terminal crosses

Landrace

Origin: Yorkshire, England; developed by crossing Yorkshire and White Leicester breeds

Berkshire

Origin: England; Use: Known for premium-quality pork - juicy, tender, flavorful

Duroc

Origin: USA; Use: Known for excellent muscle quality and low stress mortality; widely used in crossbreeding programs

Poland China

Origin: Ohio, USA, early 1800s; Use: Valued for meat production

Pietrain

Origin: Pietrain, Belgium; Use: Primarily for meat production

Hampshire

Origin: USA; Use: Valued for lean muscle, high carcass quality, low back fat, and large loin

Philippine Native Pig

Appearance: Black or brown, small to medium body, erect or semi-erect ears.

Native Pig Breeds

Examples: Ilocos, Jala - jala, Bekjala, Diani, Kaman, Koronadel, Libtong

Hybrid/Synthetic Breeds

Examples: Hypor, Babcock, Dalland/Topigs, Seghers