I worked with my lines until 2005 when I decided I had reached the pinnacle as a breeder with
having two National Champion Senior does (Inavale Felicia 2003 & CV Bridget 2004) and a
National Champion buck (CV Peter Pan 2003 Reserve National Champion & 2004 National
Champion). At the time I had also purchased a horse and wanted to devote time to work with and
ride him. I currently have three horses and a donkey. I bred sparingly the next two years as I
gradually dispersed most of the herd. By 2007, with the exception of one or two goats, I was “out”
of breeding goats. Currently, I have fourteen goats still in the barn but am not breeding any of
them. They are just to enjoy – I still love watching beautiful goats as they graze in the field.
CHRISTINE: After we moved to a neighborhood where livestock were allowed, I decided that I
would like a few dairy goats for milk/cheese. I spent about a year learning about the breeds, housing
and husbandry and eventually it came down to two breeds for me: Oberhaslis and Nigerian Dwarfs.
Both were listed on the American Breeds Livestock Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List (back
then there were not so many of either breed). I also looked into the mini-breeds but at the time
there did not seem to be any breeders anywhere near where I lived. I decided on the Nigerian Dwarf
because of its smaller size as I had small children and not much property. There were a few
breeders in NC in 2001, and I did peruse Caesar Villa’s website but at the time felt they were out of
my price range. So I purchased 3 does elsewhere but I would not consider those my foundation
animals as I did not keep them or any of their offspring. Only one had the conformation that really
appealed to me and none of them had udders that I liked. I purchased my fourth goat, Caesar’s Villa
STS Bedazzeled, in 2003 and she is my foundation doe, and of course the start of my love of the CV
goats.
DWARF and MINI: What traits or features do you look for in choosing goats to suit your taste?
Of course, we’re interested in any advice or insight on making choices on breeding decisions and
purchasing breeding stock.
SHARON – I was drawn to goats with long necks and it was important for me to have very
productive and BEAUTIFUL goats. I bred for long necks, long bodies, well attached udders & easy
to milk.
You want to choose goats that are pleasing to you. Ones that you will enjoy watching in your field.
You should also decide what you want to br