The chamois goat is a dual-purpose domestic goat that is bred for both meat and milk production. This is a breed of goats originating in Switzerland, which belongs to the Swiss mountain group.
The buff colored goat is available throughout Switzerland and is also available in parts of northern Italy and Austria. The breed was also exported to several other European countries, including France.
In Switzerland, this goat breed is one of the main national goat breeds for which the Schweizerischer Ziegenzuchtverband keeps a herd book, the Swiss Federation of Cantonal Goat Breeders’ Associations.
The chamois goat is known by other names in different countries. For example, it is known as buff goat In French, buff mountain goat in German and Camoshiata in the Alps in Italian. And in Italy under the name Camoshiata in the Alpsthis breed is one of the eight autochthonous Italian goat breeds whose pedigree book is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep and goat breeders.
There are two varieties of chamois. One is a polled type from the old bezir of Oberhasli and the region of Brienz and Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland in central Switzerland. And another horned type from Grisons or Grisons in the eastern part of Switzerland.
In some countries, polled and polled varieties are considered separate breeds. The polled variety is considered an Oberhasli goat in some countries. Today, chamois goats are mainly bred for meat and milk production.
Characteristics of the Colored Buff Goat
The buff goat is a medium-sized, strong-looking animal. They are much shorter than some other Swiss goat breeds. They are mostly brown in color with black stripes on their face, belly, back, and legs.
As the name suggests, a buff goat is obviously buff in color, meaning it ranges from light red to dark red (like brown). White hairs can also be found on their coat.
Usually, goats have a blacker color on various parts of the body than males. They have a pair of prominent eyes and a broad forehead.
The minimum body weight of a stag-colored fallow deer is 75 kg. And the minimum body weight for females is 55 kg. Photos and information from Wikipedia.
Advantages
The chamois goat is a dual-purpose domestic goat breed. It is mainly used for the production of milk and meat.
Special Considerations
Buff goats are generally well behaved and friendly. They are excellent foragers and do very well in an open foraging system. They are also considered a good breed to keep as pets due to their calm and gentle nature.
They are good milk producers. And in Switzerland, deer give on average about 700 kg of milk per lactation. Their milk contains about 3.4% fat and 2.9% protein. See the complete profile of this breed in the following table.
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| Breed name | colored suede |
| another name | Also called by other names such as Chèvre chamoisée in French, Gämsfarbige Gebirgsziege in German and Camosciata delle Alpi in Italian. |
| Purpose of the breed | Meat and milk |
| Breed size | medium |
| Dollar | Minimum 75kg |
| doe | Minimum 55kg |
| horns | Two varieties are available. One is horned, the other hornless. |
| climatic tolerance | All climates |
| coat color | Suede (with black stripes on face, belly, stripe on back and legs) |
| Suitable for Stall Fed | Not sure |
| scarcity | general |
| Country/place of origin | Swiss |
