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7 Compelling Reasons for Raising Oberhasli Goats

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Want to learn more about Oberhasli goats, their traits, and their characteristics?

Then read on!

We’re about to brainstorm all about Oberhasli goats – including why they belong on your farm or homestead.

But first, let’s talk about why goats are all the rage lately.

Goat popularity has been on the uptick for a few years now. Did you know goats were named the hottest trend way back in 2018?

Even more recently, in 2021 – dairy goats are still gaining popularity all over the world. Goats are taking over farms and homesteads worldwide!

Here’s how and why the world fell in love with goats.

Not only were goats being appreciated for their ability to eradicate unwanted weeds, but people were falling in love with their quirky personalities.

It’s true. The goatscaping trend is sweeping the world! But it didn’t stop there.

Suddenly, goat yoga became the thing to do on a sunny Saturday morning. People were queueing up to go golfing with goats or spend some time in their company.

Somewhat ironically, the demand for goat meat also soared, with experts acknowledging that “The goat market has been on fire the last several years and getting better and better.” (From The Eagle.)

While the Nigerian Dwarf remains the most popular breed of pet goat, it has its downfalls. The Nigerian Dwarf is notorious for being noisy!

They’re also a curious breed that’s always looking for a way out – and to explore! (I hope your neighbors like goats!)

For those reasons – we recommend Oberhasli goats in many situations – especially for those who live on urban (or suburban) homesteads.

That’s why we’re about to brainstorm everything we know about Oberhasli goats – and why they’re the most underrated goat or your homesteads!

Here’s why.

Want Something Different? Try Oberhasli Goats!

oberhasli goat facial expression
It doesn’t take long to figure out that Oberhasli goats are friendly and easygoing – to the max! If you have the chance to add them to your homestead – you won’t regret the opportunity.

Rather than sticking with the usual miniature breeds and standard dairy goats, why not break the mold and try something different, like the Oberhasli?

With their distinctive coloration, gentle dispositions, and steady milk production, the Oberhasli is a welcome addition to any homestead.

How Much Milk Do Oberhasli Goats Produce?

Not only do they produce around 6 to 7 pounds of milk per day, but they are also one of the best breeds of pack goat, thanks to their friendly nature and athleticism. 

Let’s take a closer look at the Oberhasli to see if it’s the right fit for your homestead! Or, maybe a miniature Oberhasli goat would be a better option?

We’ll talk more about both situations!

Read More – 10 Best DIY Goat Milking Stands You Can Make

Oberhasli Goat Origin and Appearance

goat breeds for small farms homesteads
Once you get to know Oberhasli goats, they’re easy to identify. Notice the bay-brown coat on their bodies – often with a black underbelly. Many have prominent black stripes on their face. Also – some of the does are born with a solid black coat!

Like many popular dairy goat breeds, the Oberhasli began life in the Swiss mountains, foraging for food amongst the fragrant edelweiss.

When the breed arrived in the US in the early 1900s, it was considered part of the Alpine goat breed and initially named the Swiss Alpine. It was only in 1936 that the Oberhasli goat distinguished from its Alpine cousins.

Unlike the multicolored Alpine goats, the Oberhasli is descended from the Chamois colored goat and is usually brown or bay, although the exact color can range from a light, beige color to a deep red bay.

The Oberhasli breed has distinct black markings, including a black dorsal stripe along their backs, a black bellytwo black stripes running from their eyes to the tip of their muzzle.

oberhasli goat in paddock
Don’t judge the friendly Oberhasli goat by its size. They produce more milk than you’d expect! They also have exceptional temperaments – and personalities.

Some may be completely black, which the American Dairy Goat Association deems acceptable. Black bucks, on the other hand, are very much the black sheep of the family.

While some goat breeds like to make themselves heard throughout the day (and night, sometimes), the Oberhasli is one of the quietest breeds, making it ideal for an urban homestead.

Not only will they give you plenty of milk, but there’s also a demand for Oberhasli goat meat, so your bucks can bring in an income as well.

Read More – 5 Best Goat Milking Machines to Make Farm Life Easier

The Best Goats for Beginners [Top Breeds for Dairy, Meat, and Pets!]

Oberhasli Goat Height, Weight, and Size

Oberhasli goats are slightly smaller than some of the other breeds of Swiss dairy goat, at around 28 inches tall.

They’re also somewhat lighter, weighing between 100 and 120 lbs, as opposed to the Saanen, for example – which weighs over 135 lbs! (Yikes!)

If that still sounds like too much goat for your acreage, you may want to consider getting some goats from the Mini Oberhasli purebred herd instead!

The Pros And Cons Of The Mini Oberhasli Goat

A Mini Oberhasli is a cross between a standard Oberhasli dairy goat and a Nigerian Dwarf.

Although the does are relatively small, standing between 17-21 inches high, they’re surprisingly productive, and you can expect to get 4 to 6 pounds of milk per day from a single doe.

Mini Oberhasli goats are also productive breeders!

Older does give birth to as many as four kids at a time. This productivity comes from the Nigerian Dwarf as the standard Oberhasli, like most other purebred dairy goats, rarely has more than two.

Like the Oberhasli, the miniature version is both hardy and gentle. It’s also a lot quieter than the Nigerian Dwarf and less inclined towards escapology.

(Those Nigerian Dwarf goats are talented escape artists. Beware!)

Mini Oberhaslis are much more relaxed – and they boast excellent temperaments! But – they’re a little small to be pack desirable animals or effective as meat goats.

Oberhasli Goat Cost

Their price reflects these shortcomings, making them a cost-effective breed of dairy goat.

You could pick up a registered Mini Oberhasli doeling for $500, whereas an Oberhasli would be likely to set you back as much as $1,000, depending on her bloodlines.

(Also, remember that the cattle and goat markets are going crazy these days. So, your results may vary. Big time!)

Read More – Ram vs. Goat – Here’s How to Tell the Difference!

Here’s Why We Love Oberhasli Goats!

The Oberhasli goat is known and loved for its gentle temperament and sweet-tasting milk. We love them!

They’re family-friendly, have great personalities, and they don’t test your patience with pesky escape games or arguing! (Lol.)

A hardy breed used primarily for milk production, the Oberhasli is considered one of the best breeds for goat packers.

Not only is the Oberhasli an excellent dairy goat, but the increasing demand for grass-fed cattle and goat meat provides another potential income source for prospective Oberhasli owners, even though the Oberhasli doesn’t have the best reputation as a meat goat.

Oberhasli goats are standard dairy goats and, as such, may be too big for a small urban homestead.

Fortunately, Mini-Oberhasli goats are still excellent farm additions with matching calm temperaments.

They’re also excellent milk goats, even though they’re a little too small to qualify as pack animals.

Don’t jump on the same bandwagon like everyone else and have a bunch of Pygmy goats bouncing around your homestead – break the mold and opt for the quieter and more eye-catching Oberhasli instead!

Or, if you need something smaller, get a Mini Oberhasli that will give you more milk than the Pygmy and won’t spend all day making a ruckus.

Thanks so much for reading our Oberhasli goat guide!

If you have experience with these magnificent creatures, please let us know!

We value your feedback and thoughts.

Thanks again for reading!

Read More – When Do Baby Goats Leave Their Mother? Safely? And Stress-Free?

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3 Comments

  1. I got my first two does a year and a half ago, one oberhasli and one small lamancha. They are so different from each other! The oberhasli seems happy to live a mostly peaceful coexistence while the lamancha feels the need to prove her dominance regularly. They are both very friendly toward people but I so appreciate the quieter demeanor of the oberhasli. (I actually started with a different doe the first few months but she ended up being a freemarten so the breeder replaced her with my current doe- both have had the quieter personality) I call my lamancha the emotional princess
    because if she is unhappy about ANYTHING she wants the world to know. I look forward to trying the oberhasli’s milk as I have heard it’s similar to cow milk…kids are due in just under two weeks. I also walk with my goats regularly which both seem to enjoy and keep up with me on their own. I’m really glad I was fortunate enough to get an oberhasli! My experience is they are lovely goats that are fun to have around.

  2. As a first time goat owner I LOVE my mini oberhasli does. They rarely make a peep and are content to lounge chewing their cud and sun bathing most days. This is not what most people expect from goats with stories of escape and naughtiness. Such gems!

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