by Meg A Wright

Created on: July 07, 2009

Choosing a show goat starts with selecting the type of showing you want to accomplish. There are dairy goats, breeding meat goats and market wethers, and pygmy goats. If the showman is a small child, the best way to start would be either pygmy goats or market wethers. The pygmy goats are smaller and would not pose as much as a threat to the young child. The market wethers are merely bred and raised for their meat, so the time span for caring for the animal would be the shortest of the goats and would be a simpler introduction of responsibility for the child.

In any case, after choosing which type of goat you or your family wishes to show, you should then narrow it down to a breed and distinct kind. For 4-H families I would recommend either meat goat wethers or boer does unless you would like to start a breeding program. Wethers are simple and can be purchased in the spring and then sold after the 4-H fair season.

After you choose the type of animal you want, you need to decide how serious about showing you are. A good meat goat wether will typically run from $100 to $300 depending on the age and the breeder you buy from. Does can and usually do run higher, but they are considered an investment. A good cheap goat -with a little training- can be a superior showmanship goat. If that is your aim, spend the money on the equipment instead of the goat. Go to a good quality livestock sale and set your limit and buy the animal that meets your requirements.

If instead you want to be competitive in the qualities of a good show goat, you need to contact the association in charge of your particular breed for breed specifications. With these in hand you can search for good breeders to purchase your goat off of. Sometimes the breed association will also have a list of accepted breeders to help you start your search. Make sure you know what you are looking for and do not settle for anything less. Also if you plan to show professionally, make sure you know what shows are required and learn what the judges expect at the shows in the quality of animals so you are not overwhelmed at your first show. Do not be afraid to ask questions and do some research to become familiar with your breed.

Do not forget all the equipment that goes with a goat -including housing for the animal and trailer for travel- before deciding on your particular breed. Selecting what you intend to show is a difficult decision and should not be taken lightly. Be sure you know all the facts before jumping into taking care of an animal.

Learn more about this author, Meg A Wright.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.