Breed standard
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General description
The Pygmy Goat is hardy, good natured, genetically small, cobby and compact. Head, neck and legs are short in relation to body length. The body is full-barrelled and well muscled, circumference in relation to height and weight is proportionally greater than in other breeds. Breed characteristics Coat: The full coat of straight, medium long hair varies in density with seasons and climates. On does, beards may be non-existent or sparse. On adult bucks, abundant hair growth is desirable; the beard to be full, long and flowing, the copious mane draping, cape-like, across the shoulders. Colour and breed-specific markings: Any colour and colour combination is acceptable in Australia – Pygmies bred by upgrading from non-Pygmy does potentially carry a diverse range of colours. Full-blood stock imported as embryo from the US conform to the preferred colours listed below. The preferred colours recognised in the US are:
Body structure Head: Short to medium long; profile somewhat dished. Muzzle rounded, not snippy; nose short, wide and flat. Chin and underjaw full; bite even, neither overshot nor undershot; jaws broad, strong and well muscled. Forehead broad, flat or concave. Eyes set well apart, bright, prominent but not protruding. Any colour is acceptable. Ears medium sized, firm, erect, alertly mobile. Genetically horned or polled; disbudding and dehorning permissible. Neck: Well muscled; short, round, more full-throated than dairy breeds; more refined in does than in bucks. Withers: Nearly level with, but not lower than the spine. Shoulders: Muscular, well angulated and laid-on, tightly attached; point of shoulder placed posterior to the sternum. Ribs: Wide apart, well sprung; rib bone long, wide and flat. Back: Strong, laterally straight, level along chine and loin. Chine: Broad, level from withers to loin. Loin: Broad, strong, nearly level, rising slightly toward the iliac crest. Rump: Medium long, medium wide, neither level nor steep. Hips: Wide, nearly level with back. Thurls: High, wide apart. Pin bones: Wide apart, lower than hips, pronounced. Tail: Set high, wide at the base, symmetrical, carried high. Flanks: Deep, set low on barrel. Thighs: Long and wide, well muscled, incurving towards udder. Legs: Short, heavy bone, well muscled, wide apart. Forelegs: Straight and squarely set, with elbows close to ribs and cannon bone short. Hind legs: When viewed from the rear: hind legs straight, widely set to accommodate large barrel; stifle held tightly to the body. When viewed from the side: femur and tibia proportionately longer than in dairy breeds and angulated toward a more pronounced stifle joint, thus compensating for the short, flat, and flinty rear cannon bone. Hocks: Cleanly moulded and sharply angled. Pasterns: Short, strong and resilient. Feet: Well-shaped, proportioned to size of animal, deep heel and level sole with hoofs symmetrical. Body capacity: Large in proportion to size of animal, providing ample digestive and reproductive capacity as well as strength, vigour, and stamina. Barrel: Broad, deep, increasing in width and depth toward flank giving an impression of perpetual pregnancy. Symmetrical, well supported by firm abdominal wall and well-sprung ribs. The disproportionately large circumference of the paunch is greater in does than in bucks. Heart girth: Large due to long, well-sprung fore-ribs. Chest: Well muscled brisket, wide floor, full at point of elbow. Mammary system (Does) Udder: Firm, rounded, small to medium sized, halves evenly balanced and symmetrical. Rear attachment: High, full, tightly attached and blending smoothly. Front attachment: Well forward, tightly attached without pocket, and blending smoothly into body. Texture: Silky smooth, elastic, pliable but firm, free of lumps or scar tissue. Teats: Two, cylindrical, of uniform length and size, sufficient for milking with two fingers and thumb. Symmetrically placed, free of obstructions, deformities, or multiple orifices. Reproductive system (Bucks) Testicles: Two, fully descended, of fairly equal size, healthy and firm. Teats: Two, cylindrical, of uniform length and size, symmetrically placed, free of deformities or multiple orifices. Height and cannon length (Purebred measurements):
The National Pygmy Goat Association (NPGA) Breed Standard. http://www.npga-pygmy.com/resources/conformation/NPGABreedStandard.pdf |
2-week-old 28% Pygmy doe kid (Rivergate James Dean [56.25% Pygmy] – Craiglea Mystery [50% Nigerian Dwarf]).
Photo By Emma Edwards, Myall Forest Miniature Goat Stud
Trinity Frannie Faraway (Trinity Drew Morphett – Trinity Aunty Maria). Purebred. Photo by Paul Hamilton
Trinity Drew Morphett (Goose Meadow Preston – Deans Funny Farm Ima Foxy Belle). Purebred. Photo by Paul Hamilton
Plumbago Waffle 37.5% Pygmy
(Plumbago Darius 37.5% – Plumbago Mahari 37.5%). Photo by Christine Falconer
Mya-Ora Symphony 25% Pygmy (Kawinkidink Mr Majestic 50% – Rosey Toes Harmony). Photo by Therese Purton
Mya-Ora Shirley Temple 56.25% Pygmy (Trinity Ned Kelly 87.5% – Mya-Ora Miss Dottie 25%). Photo by Therese Purton
Trinity Ned Kelly 87.5% Pygmy (Trinity Drew Morphett – Trinity Phyllis Dorothy 75%). Photo by Therese Jeffries-Purton
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Registration
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Animals with 12.5% or more Pygmy genetics are eligible to be registered and shown as Pygmies - their percentage of Pygmy genetics (based on pedigree information provided to the Registrar) will be recorded on their Registration certificate.
Animals with less than 12.5% Pygmy genetics (based on pedigree information) will still have their percentage of Pygmy genetics recorded on the Registration certificate. The AABMGS does not require DNA testing to confirm parentage of Pygmies, but if breeders choose to have parentage DNA verified and the relevant paperwork is provided to the AABMGS Registrar, this information will be recorded on the Registration certificate. Pygmy grades Grade F: 12.5% or more, but less than 25% Pygmy genetics Grade E: 25% or more, but less than 50% Pygmy genetics Grade D: 50% or more, but less than 60% Pygmy genetics Grade C: 60% or more, but less than 70% Pygmy genetics Grade B: 70% or more, but less than 80% Pygmy genetics Grade A: 80% or more, but less than 90% Pygmy genetics Purebred: 90% or more Pygmy genetics. Full Blood: 100% imported US Pygmy genetics (animals descended exclusively from imported lines). Over height animals are ineligible for showing but their grade (including Purebred) is not affected. |
Trinity Nancy Reagan 62.5% Pygmy (Trinity Don Smith 75% – Trinity I'm A Fool 50%). Photo by Paul Hamilton
Trinity Hugh Hefner 81.25% Pygmy (Trinity Drew Morphett – Trinity Spot Alot 62.5%). Photo by Paul Hamilton
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Show height limits
- Under 6 months
Does: 50cm. Bucks: 50cm - 6 to 12 months
Does: 53.5cm. Bucks: 54.5cm - 1 to 2 years
Does: 57cm. Bucks: 58.5cm - 2 to 3 years
Does: 58cm. Bucks: 60cm - 3 to 4 years
Does: 59cm. Bucks: 62cm - Over 4 years
Does: 60cm. Bucks: 63cm.