The Toggenburg is a Swiss dairy goat from Toggenburg Valley of Switzerland at Obertoggenburg. They are also the oldest known dairy goat breed!
Check out this fact from Hobby Farms, this is our fave statistic about the Toggenburg goat.
"A Toggenburg doe, GCH Western-Acres Zephyr Rosemary, currently holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for giving 9,110 pounds of milk amounting to nearly 1,140 gallons in 365 days."
With that in mind, the Toggenburg goat is a very old dairy goat breed. How old? The Swiss developed Toggenburg goats about 300 years ago.
Toggenburg goat history
According to Hobby Farms, there is a myth they produce off-flavored milk, but this isn't the case.
Experts at Hobby Farms also share that Toggenburgs, called "Toggs" by those who know and love them, reached England by 1882, where, in 1905, it became the first recognized dairy breed in Great Britain. Four Toggs came to America by way of England in 1883; Toggenburgs were subsequently imported in greater numbers than any other dairy goat breed.
The St. Gallen Goat Breeders Association, founded in 1901, registers the breed.
Characteristics
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Roy's Farm tells us the Toggenburg goat is a medium-sized animal. They also explain many of the wonderful characteristics of this goat breed. Here are five:
- They are sturdy, vigorous and very alert in appearance.
- They have soft, fine, short-to-medium-length hair, which lies flat.
- Their color is solid, varying from light fawn to dark chocolate with no preference for any shade.
- Toggenburg goats possess a general Swiss Marked pattern with various dilutions, and there are distinct white markings on their bodies.
- Their faces may be straight or dished but will not have what is called the Roman nose. They have erect ears that are carried forward.
Caring for Toggenburg goats
These goats also make good pets! They're friendly and calm with sweet personalities.
According to Roy's Farm, the Toggenburgs are not among the best dairy goats compared to their body size, which is a medium size. When it comes to milk production, they are moderate milk producers, and their milk is relatively low in butterfat content. Yet their breed purpose is still milk production.
Hobby Farms also explains that Toggenburg base colors range from light fawn to darkest chocolate but all Toggs have the same markings.
"They have white ears with a dark spot in middle of each ear; two white stripes down their faces from above each eye to their muzzles; their hind legs are white from hocks to hooves and their forelegs white from knees downward; a white triangle on both sides of their tails; and a white spot at the root of their wattles or in that area if no wattles are present. Varying degrees of cream markings instead of pure white are acceptable."
What is your fave goat breed? Please leave a comment below!
