Largest Goat Breeds In The World
Boer Goats 300+lbs Boer Goats are the largest goat breed and are recognized by their white body and redhead. They have smaller horns that come out from the top of their head but curve towards the contour of their body. These large goats are bred for meat. They have at least one thing in common with humans, the average size of their babies at birth is 8lbs, similar to human babies! However, not many humans reach the 300lb mark as adults!
Kiko Goats 250-300lbs You wouldn’t want to call these goats short and fat because they are all muscle. Kiko goats are shorter than some of the goats on our list, with heights not more than 30”, but they pack a lot into that smaller size. They are a domestic goat from New Zealand and can weigh between 250-300lbs.
Saanen Goats 160-290lbs Saanen goats are known for their milk production, being able to produce 1-3 gallons/day during their peak periods. These white goats are the largest of the Switzerland goats and can reach weights of 290 lbs. They are a domestic goat which has been in the US since the early 1900s.
Markhor 170-270lbs Markhors are considered the largest of the wild goat species weighing between 170-270 lbs. Their most distinguishing feature is their large spiral horns! These are thicker, rigid horns that can grow to be 5 feet long. They are found in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan, being the national animal of Pakistan. Their coloration is brown to dark brown and have long beards that cover the front half of their bodies.
Mountain Goat 180-260lbs Mountain Goats are not domesticated goats, they are wild goats that live in the mountains of the Northwest U.S. and large parts of British Columbia. You would recognize photos of these goats with their white coats, horns that stick straight up, and the males with white beards. They are known to be amazing climbers and can scale seemingly impossible ice-covered cliffs. Their hoofs are specially shaped to secure a strong foothold and they are also skilled jumpers, being able to jump more than 5 feet in the air. Mountain goats can weigh between 180-260lbs.
Kalahari Goats 230-250lbs These goats are sometimes called Kalahari red goats due to their red coloration. They have horns that come out from the top of their head but curve down close to the head vs sticking up. These goats are also originally from South Africa but are now domesticated and are easy to care for due to their resistance to disease and parasites. They are bred as meat goats and can grow to be 230-250lbs.
Savanna Goats 200-250lbs Savanna goats are an all-white goat that has shorter horns and are domesticated goats originally from South Africa. They are now domestic goats that are bred for their meat. People use goat meat similar to beef because it has fewer calories and is lower in fat and is higher in protein and iron. These goats range in size from 200-250 lbs.
Alpine Goats 180-220lbs Alpine goats are originally from the Swiss Alps but are now domesticated goats raised for their milk. In the US, goat milk is used for consumption purposes (to drink), but more commonly in goat cheese. The average goat can produce 3-5 quarts of milk a day and people that have cow milk allergies are sometimes fine with goat’s milk. Alpine goats are around 180-220 lbs.
Ibex 180-220lbs Ibex is a kind of wild goat (vs domesticated goat) that lives in Europe, Asia, and Africa. They live in the high altitudes of the mountains and are surefooted goats. Different goat species can often be differentiated by the size and shape of their horns. Ibex have large horns that come straight out from the top of their head and seem to part to the side.
Angora Goats 180-220lbs Angora goats are fiber goats (raised for their hair, mohair for the Angora) and can supply 12 inches of mohair a year. Mohair was originally from Turkey and used in textiles, outerwear and yarn. These goats have long white/ivory hair and look somewhat like Old English Sheepdogs.