From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
| Line 46: | Line 46: | ||
|
== Characteristics == |
== Characteristics == |
||
|
The |
The is the largest breed of Swiss goat:{{r|cabi|page=404}} [[:wikt:billy goat|billies]] stand about {{cvt|90|cm}} at the [[withers]] and weigh a minimum of {{cvt|85|kg|-1}}.{{r|szzv}} It has white skin and a short white coat; some small pigmented areas may be tolerated.{{r|szzv}} It may be horned or [[polled livestock|hornless]], and [[wattle (anatomy)|tassels]] may be present. The profile may be straight or somewhat concave; the ears are erect and point upwards and forwards.{{r|cabi|page=404}} |
||
|
== Use and management == |
== Use and management == |
||
Revision as of 15:22, 8 February 2026
Swiss breed of goat
The Saanen[a] is a Swiss breed of domestic goat. It takes its name from the Saanental in the Bernese Oberland, in the southern part of the Canton of Bern, in western Switzerland. It is a highly productive dairy goat and is distributed in more than eighty countries worldwide.[3]
History
The Saanen originates in the historic region of Saanen (French: Comté de Gessenay) and in the neighbouring Simmental, both in the Bernese Oberland, in the southern part of the Canton of Bern, in western Switzerland.[4]
It is reported from more than eighty countries.[3] The total world population is reported to be over 900000 head.[3] Of these, some 14000 are in Switzerland.[5]: 404
It has since the nineteenth century been exported to many countries of the world, and has given rise to many local sub-breeds, often through cross-breeding with local goats. Among these local variants are the Banat White in Romania, the British Saanen, the French Saanen, the Israeli Saanen, the Russian White, the Weiße Deutsche Edelziege in Germany, and the Yugoslav Saanen.[5]: 404
A black variant, the Sable Saanen, was recognised as a breed in New Zealand in the 1980s.[5]: 398
Characteristics
The Sai is the largest breed of Swiss goat:[5]: 404 billies stand about 90 cm (35 in) at the withers and weigh a minimum of 85 kg (190 lb).[2] It has white skin and a short white coat; some small pigmented areas may be tolerated.[2] It may be horned or hornless, and tassels may be present. The profile may be straight or somewhat concave; the ears are erect and point upwards and forwards.[5]: 404
Use and management
The Saanen is the most productive milk goat of Switzerland,[5]: 404 which has the most productive milking goats in the world.[5]: 345 Average milk yield is 838 kg in a lactation of 264 days.[5]: 404 The milk should have a minimum of 3.2% milk-fat and 2.7% milk protein.[2]
The Saanen is not well suited to extensive management, and is usually raised intensively. Being pale-skinned, it does not tolerate strong sun.[5]: 404
Notes
References
