Pygmy or Dwarf Goat
Although both Nigerian Dwarfs and African Pygmies are both of West African origin, they are two separate and distinct breeds. It can be easy to confuse the Nigerian with the Pygmy because of the similarities of size and origin, but the similarities stop there.
African Pygmies (such as Pee Wee shown here), are bred to be “cobby” and heavy boned. They are 
almost as wide as they are tall. Colors accepted by the NPGA are usually solid or with a white band around the belly. They usually have a darker stripe running down their backs from the head to the base of the tail. All colors can be seen here. The variety of Pygmy goats common in the U.S., are most likely descendants of “Cameroon Dwarfs”
The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature goat of West African origin also. They are small in size and have very colorful markings. Their small stature means they do not require as much space as their larger dairy counterparts. They are gentle, have very friendly personalities which makes them good companion pets and easy to handle. Even small children are safe around these little goats. Nigerian Dwarf goats are a true dairy goat. They have been approved as such by the US Department of Agriculture making them eligible for youth 4-H and FFA projects.
Nigerian Dwarfs are bred to have the length of body and structure in proportion to their larger dairy goat counterparts. This makes breeding and birthing easy. Nigerians Dwarfs are somewhat rare in the US, compared with the numbers of Pygmies residing here.
Color is one of the big factors that make breeding the Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat so popular and interesting. You can never be sure what color the babies will be until they pop out! Often times their color changes as they mature. The main color families are black, white, chocolate, red and gold; with any number varying shades and pattern combinations. All colors and patterns are acceptable in breed standards.
These “knee-high” miniatures do not require the space their larger counterpart dairy goats need, making the care for them practical for the small farm owner.
There are 2 maximum height standards on the Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat reflected by the 2 registries available in the United States. The ideal for both registries on does is 17″ – 19″ at the top of the withers with AG’s maximum height being 22.5″ and NDGA’s maximum height at 21″. For bucks, both registries have an ideal height of 18″ – 20″ with AGS’s maximum height at 23.5″ and NDGA’s at 23″. The average adult weight of a Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat is about 75 pounds.
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I have kind of a crazy question, if you could answer it, will be great. If a doe is already pregnant, will she still go to a buck and mate again. Or was she not pregnant to begin with? Because she’s supposed to be due in September. I’m confused maybe you could tell me.
I would think that she is not pregnant. Once a doe is pregnant, bucks are the last creatures they want to associate with but then again, she just might have be having a hormone boost! If she is pregnant, there is no harm done but keep an eye on her “bag” about a week before her due date (and keep Romeo away from her). That’s the best indicator of imminent birthing. The bag will look blown up and ready to burst a day or so before she kids. If the bag never happens, she wasn’t pregnant.
Hope this helps!
Hi, I am wondering, is the milk production different between the dwarf and the pigmy?
Rick, I don’t think so however the logistics of milking these little gals makes it difficult. There’s not much room between the bucket & their teats for hands!
I have a different type of question. I need to know the overall size of pygmy/ dwarf goats at birth. I have read that they are 2 pounds but what length are they and about how big around. I am making sweaters for the babies. I found the pattern on the internet but it is for La Mancha babies. I need to know how to alter the pattern. Thank you.
Julie, I don’t have any kids at this time to give you an accurate measurement but I’d say they’re about 8 to 10 inches around their largest part & 10 to 14 inches from the base of the neck to the base of the tail.
Thank you. This information is still very useful. Gives me a better idea of size.
Julie, once you have them made, if you want to send me a picture, I’ll gladly put it on my website & send you referrals.. no cost, just to be helpful! Christine
Just had the first babies to be born on our farm!! Stella,our 2 yr. old pygmy, just had triplets. All is ok right now she is very attentive and feeding them all. Can she take care of all three by herself?