If this is the Nigerian dwarf standard...

[SkyWarrior]

I have four NDs and to be quite honest, I'm not impressed with mine. But, my understanding is that for 5 years, the original owners did nothing with them, so they are skittish.

The NDs I've seen around here look stubby and not very well proportioned. Either I'm just not a fan of the look or else conformation is different in this area. Sure looks different than the photos I've seen.

My ND or Pygmy mix looks awesome by comparison to the NDs I have. This is, of course, my opinion, and you don't have to agree with me.

Of course quality of bloodlines, etc makes a big difference in how a goat looks.. Unfortunately, there are a lot of Nigerian breeders out there that are just breeding for pets. Those usually aren't the quality well proportioned ones like those who breed for conformation and milk.

Bonnie, the ND I picked up, has teats the size of peas. I honestly wouldn't know how to milk her to begin with, let alone that her legs are stubby. Really stubby. She's not in proportion at all. Imagine a keg with stubby legs. She's got a standard sized body and ridiculously short legs. I'm hoping for a buck out of her so I can wether him and butcher when he's old enough.

Then again, Oreo is such a leggy thing being a small LaMancha/Oberhasli, he might just iron out her genetics and produce a decent doe. Hard to say, really. My other intact goats with the exception of Annie, were bred for milk production. I lucked out with Annie -- she has wonderful milk and a decent udder and teats. Something I want to see passed on. She looks more like a ND mixed with who knows what, but her previous owner said pygmy mix. Go figure.

 

[ksalvagno]

If she has a standard size body on short legs, then she probably isn't a full ND. I'm guessing she is a mix breed. I wonder if where you got them from really didn't know the difference between goats. Annie, I bet is an ND or ND cross since she milks so well and has nice teats. Many many people call ND's Pygmies when they are really ND's.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover=)]

Here's a photo of one of my bucks, MelacorBlu in a natural stance.

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/470_mel92811.jpg

Lillhill, I love your goats! You really have a very nice herd.

Thank you! Karen, it's taken 8 years and hundreds of miles traveling to just get where I am now with my herd and it's still a work in progress.

It shows Hes pretty ! (I also admire lots of your other goats)

 

[lilhill]

Thank you!