The Anglo-Nubian, or simply Nubian in the United States, was developed in Great Britian of native milking stock and goats from the Middle East and North Africa. Its distinguishing characteristics include large, pendulous ears and a “Roman” nose. Due to their Middle-Eastern heritage, Anglo-Nubians can live in very hot climates and have a longer breeding season than other dairy goats. Considered a dairy or dual-purpose breed, Anglo-Nubians are known for the high butterfat content of their milk, although on average, the breed produces less volume of milk than other dairy breeds. Anglo-Nubians are large, with does weighing at least 141 pounds. The average height of the breed, measured at the withers, is 31.89 inches for does and 37 inches for bucks. Like most dairy goats, they are normally kept hornless by disbudding within approximately two weeks of birth.
HISTORY
The Anglo-Nubian breed originated in England as a cross between the Old English Milch Goat and the Zariby and Nubian bucks imported from India, Russia, and Egypt. They have been exported to most countries from England and in the United States are referred to simply as Nubians.
BREED CHARACTERISTICS
The Nubian breed standard specifies large size, markings can be any color, the ears are long, pendulous, and the nose is Roman. The Nubian temperment is sociable, outgoing and vocal.
According to the Amerian Dairy Goat Association, the Nubian goat should be a relatively large, proud, and graceful dairy goat of mixed Asian, African, and European origin, known for high quality, high butterfat, milk production.
The head is the distinctive breed characteristic, with the facial profile between the eyes and the muzzle being strongly convex (Roman nose). The ears are long (extending at least one inch beyond the muzzle when held flat along the face), wide and pendulous. They lie close to the head at the temple and flare slightly out and well forward at the rounded tip, forming a “bell” shape. The ears are not thick, with the cartilage well defined. The hair is short, fine and glossy.
Any color or colors, solid or patterned, is acceptable.
USES
The Nubian’s size makes it a very useful dual-purpose animal. The Nubian breed leads the way for the diary breeds in butterfat production: it produces on average, 5% or more butterfat content. This is surpassed only by the Nigerian Dwarf, Pygmy goat and Boer goat breeds, which are less likely to be used for large scale milk production, as for a dairy or cheese making. Because of the higher fat content, the Nubian milk has more flavor than lower fat milks. Milk production is lower than other dairy breeds on average.
Source: www.dairygoatjournal.com