Don Goat: Traits, Uses, and Complete Breed Information

The Don goat is a versatile breed of domestic goat that produces goat milk, wool, and skins. The breed originates from the Don River in the Lower Volga region of Russia.

The Don goat produces the highest average wool per shorn goat of any goat breed. In addition, the breed produces milk with a relatively high fat content. The breed was discovered in 1933-34. Expedition of the All-Union Institute of Sheep and Goat Breeding to study goats on the territory of the former Lower Volga region.

It received the name “Don” due to its location, their habitat covers the basin of the Don River and its tributaries. The Don goat is appreciated for its skin. Goatskin is mainly used to make inferior shoes.

And the skin of these goats, slaughtered in the fall, has a good fur quality, determined by the structure of the wool (its density and wool fibers are longer than the outer hair). They can be used as the main material in the fur industry.

Raman sheep produce the best sheepskin and Don goats are comparable to this sheep. However, read more about this breed of goats below.

Physical Characteristics of the Don Goat

The Don goat is a medium-sized goat. Their body is rounded and the skeleton is larger than that of males. They have a strong build, good build and adequate undercoat on the body, neck and belly.

They are mostly black, but sometimes white. They have large horns of different shapes. The back of the goat is long, straight and wider than that of the male.

Males are usually bigger than him. The average live weight of an adult male Don buck ranges from 65 to 85 kg. And it weighs an average of 35-40 kg.

Advantages

The Don goat is a versatile breed of goat. They are stored for the production of milk, wool and goatskin. They are somehow good for meat production.

Special Considerations

Don goats are hardy animals and generally well behaved. They have the highest wool productivity of all goat breeds. The average wool production of a goat varies from 550 to 1600 grams. At the same time, the average prey of males ranges from 330 to 1430 grams.

The average wool content of Don goat sheep’s wool is 61.5-92.2%. Goats are very prolific, on average 145 to 150 kids per 100 head. Don is also a good milker. On average, they are able to produce around 130 to 140 liters of milk per lactation period.

Their lactation period is about 5 months. Don’s goat’s milk has a high fat content. Their milk contains an average of 3.3 to 8.2 fats. See the complete Dongoat breed profile in the following table.

Breed nameput on
another nameeverything
Purpose of the breedMilk, wool and goatskin
Breed sizemedium
DollarAbout 65 to 85 kg
doeAbout 35 to 40 kg
hornsYes
climatic toleranceAll climates
coat colorMostly black, sometimes white
Suitable for Stall FedNot sure
scarcitygeneral
Country/place of originRussia
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