Pygmy (UK goat breed) facts for kids
Billy at Five Sisters Zoo, in West Lothian
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| Conservation status |
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| Other names | Pygmy Goat |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Standard | Pygmy Goat Club |
| Traits | |
| Height |
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| Horn status | may be horned in both sexes |
| Beard | males heavily bearded |
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The Pygmy goat is a small type of goat from the United Kingdom. It is known for being compact and strong. This breed was created in the 1980s. It combined different small goat types found in the UK.
These small goats came from two main groups. One group was short and stocky. They came from the West African Dwarf breeds. The other group was small but well-proportioned. These goats came from Southern Sudan.
Contents
The Pygmy Goat's Story
How Pygmy Goats Came to the UK
Small goats from Africa first arrived in the United Kingdom in the 1800s. They were brought to be shown in zoos. Some of these goats were later bought by private breeders. These breeders kept and raised them as pets.
Two Types of Early Pygmy Goats
Among these early goats, there were two main kinds. One type was broad, short-legged, and very solid. These goats often had a blue-grey coat. They came from the West African Dwarf group. The other type was small but had a balanced body shape. These goats came from Southern Sudan.
People called the stocky type "Cameroon" goats. The well-proportioned type was known as "Nigerian" goats. This was true no matter where they actually came from.
Becoming a Single Breed
In 1982, all these different small goat types were officially joined together. They became one single breed: the Pygmy goat. A special group called the Pygmy Goat Club was started. This club began keeping records of all the Pygmy goats.
Pygmy Goat Population Today
In 2018, there were about 2,316 Pygmy goats reported. This information was sent to a global animal database. In 2019, the Pygmy goat was listed as "at risk." This means their numbers are not very high. However, they are not on the watchlist of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. This group helps protect rare animal breeds.
What Pygmy Goats Are Used For
Pygmy goats are mostly raised for two reasons. They are popular for shows where they are judged on their looks. Many people also keep them as pets because they are friendly and small.
