by Angie Pollock

Created on: February 22, 2009

Originating from the Saane Valley of Switzerland, the Saanen is one of the most popular goat breeds in North America. Arriving in the United States in the early 1900s, the Saanen are primarily kept for milk production and are known for being easy to care for, having a docile temperament and good toleration of changes in their environment.

The Saanens are heavy milk producers, producing on average 1,900 pounds over a 305 day cycle with an Australian Saanen having produced a world record amount of 7,714 pounds over a 365 day period. Each year, this dairy goat averages 3.5 percent butterfat. For years, the Saanens were bred in Switzerland for odor-free goat's milk which is a unique quality over other dairy goat breeds.

This dairy goat breed is the largest of the dairy breeds, averaging 145 pounds and 32 inches in height. It is not uncommon for a buck to reach 200 pounds in weight. The Saanens are pure white and until recently, those born with any colorization could not be registered and many times were destroyed. During the 1980s, breeders of colored Saanens began promoting these goats with "defective" coloring.

The coloring occurs when the sire and dam carry a recessive color gene and while the colored Saanens are purebred, they were undesirable. These Saanens of color are now called Sables and are often referred to as "Saanens in party clothes". Sables are also heavy milk producers with the only difference with the Saanen being the color.

The Saanen has a short white to creamy white coat that will sometimes have a fringe along the spine and thighs. The ears will stand erect with breeders preferring the ears to point forward. The face will be "dished" (straight) which is the opposite of the more popular breed, the Nubian goat. Because of these stately features, the Saanen has been dubbed the "Queen of the Dairy Goats".

Both bucks and does can grow beards and horns with the horns typically being removed shortly after birth. The one downfall of this breed is its toleration of hot climates. Due to the light skin color, Saanens are prone to sunburns and skin cancer with many southern breeders preferring the Sable as the coat color of the Sable helps protect the skin.

Though typically distributed as a milk breed, the Saanens are also a preferred breed for pets especially for children. This breed is easy to manage and maintain and has an overall peaceful nature. Saanen owners describe this breed as "calm, affectionate, and supremely lovable". The National Saanen Breeders Association welcomes current and new Saanen owners to learn more about this unique goat breed.

References:

STOREY'S GUIDE TO RAISING DARY GOATS, by Jerry Belanger, copyright 2001.

http://www.hobbyfarms.com/farm-resources/livestock-r esources/saanen-goat-profile.aspx

http://nationalsaanenbreeders.com/

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