Goat people are a lot like dog people when they get together and start talking about their critters. Everyone has their own opinion about which breed is best (the one they are breeding, of course), which feed is best, what type of wormer to use and so on.

Conversations get lively and even, at times, ornery so it’s best to bring your finest diplomatic skills to any meeting of goat lovers.

In July I had the opportunity to visit a local fair, linger in the barns, admire some fine looking goats and chat with their owners, including a woman named Bonnie who, by her own admission, was a multiple ribbon winner with her La Manchas and an old timer in the local goat world.

We got to talking about breeds and their personalities as we’ve both raised multiple breeds of goats. Here’s where diplomacy entered in. While Bonnie insisted Oberhasli goats are scared of everything and very submissive in the goat world, my herd leader is an Ober doe who tolerates no dissent from the others in her herd. Even the buck gives her wide berth. Given that, I was surprised by Bonnie’s adamant opinion of the docile nature of Obers.

As for Saanens, they are all about food, Bonnie said, noting Saanens will ignore anything and everything rather than walk away from food. Having never raised a Saanen, I couldn’t comment but I will store that away for future reference when adding to my herd.

I’ve found that one farmer’s herd can differ widely from another farmer’s herd, with each personality distinctive to the individual animal. So remember when choosing a breed that although there are some generalities, each goat needs to be assessed on an individual basis in order to find a good match.

I’ve also found when engaging other goat people that it’s best to listen with an open mind and remember that passion breeds differences of opinion.

— Naimhe Jeanne

Goat people are a lot like dog people when they get together and start talking about their critters. Everyone has their own opinion about which breed is best (the one they are breeding, of course), which feed is best, what type of wormer to use and so on.

Conversations get lively and even, at times, ornery so it’s best to bring your finest diplomatic skills to any meeting of goat lovers.

In July I had the opportunity to visit a local fair, linger in the barns, admire some fine looking goats and chat with their owners, including a woman named Bonnie who, by her own admission, was a multiple ribbon winner with her La Manchas and an old timer in the local goat world.

We got to talking about breeds and their personalities as we’ve both raised multiple breeds of goats. Here’s where diplomacy entered in. While Bonnie insisted Oberhasli goats are scared of everything and very submissive in the goat world, my herd leader is an Ober doe who tolerates no dissent from the others in her herd. Even the buck gives her wide berth. Given that, I was surprised by Bonnie’s adamant opinion of the docile nature of Obers.

As for Saanens, they are all about food, Bonnie said, noting Saanens will ignore anything and everything rather than walk away from food. Having never raised a Saanen, I couldn’t comment but I will store that away for future reference when adding to my herd.

I’ve found that one farmer’s herd can differ widely from another farmer’s herd, with each personality distinctive to the individual animal. So remember when choosing a breed that although there are some generalities, each goat needs to be assessed on an individual basis in order to find a good match.

I’ve also found when engaging other goat people that it’s best to listen with an open mind and remember that passion breeds differences of opinion.

— Naimhe Jeanne