How to Know if You Have a Pygmy Goat

Jan 16 min read

Updated: Jan 2

After many conversations and reading countless internet discussions I thought, there needs to be an educational article about what a pygmy goat actually is! Thus writing this blog article titled, How to Know if You Have a Pygmy Goat. Let me start off by clearing up a few things and some common myths I've encountered in my conversations. I will also preface by saying this article is based on my current knowledge and experience owning and breeding pygmy goats for over 15 years and authoring two children's books about pygmy goats, check out Samson's storybook and Stella's storybook.

Mai Tai, one of my registered pygmy goats. She is a caramel (light) color with black markings.

I am in no way bashing other goat breeds or goat owners. I respect everyone's love for different types of goat breeds. I just want to clear up the misunderstanding and confusion on what a Pygmy Goat really is according to the American standard. I know many well intentioned people have been told that they've been sold a Pygmy Goat or have bred and sold animals thinking they are Pygmy Goats only to find out that they most likely have a Nigerian Dwarf or a Pygmy mix instead. I imagine if I was in that predicament, I'd experience l a mix of emotions feeling confused, disappointed and even duped. Thus my passion for sharing this education.
Myth #1: "pygmy goat" is just a name for a goat that is small or miniature. While often used to describe the latter, since 1976 a Pygmy Goat is actually considered a distinct breed of goat by the National Pygmy Goat Association. The breed is completely separate from the Nigerian Dwarf breed. Visit the ADGA (American Dairy Goat Association) and AGS (American Goat Society) websites to read up on the breed standards for Nigerian Dwarfs. Although both breeds are very similar in size and stature, they are again, two different breeds. You can read up on the NPGA (National Pygmy Goat Association) breed standards for the Pygmy Goat as well. If you are outside the United States, Australia has their own pygmy goat association as well that strives to follow US standards, NPGAA (National Pygmy Goat Association of Australia).
Myth #2: "pygmy goats" come in all different colors and markings and they can have blue eyes. The two biggest giveaways to know if you have a Pygmy Goat here in America comes down to their coat and eye color. Pygmy Goats come in very specific colors with limited additional markings. Caramel (light, medium and dark) and this color must have either black or brown markings (stockings on four legs, back dorsal stripe and face markings). The agouti (ah-goo-tee - agouti means white hairs are intermingled in the coat) come in brown, black and grey. There are also black and solid black colors. Pygmy Goats will also never have blue eyes, Nigerian Dwarfs can. Pygmy Goats are permitted to have partial or full white belly bands.

Here are some photos of my Pygmy Goats with markings and mismarks.

Baby Samson is a grey agouti with a partial belly band. His momma, Iris, is a black agouti with a white belly band and mismarked "bling" on her chest, body and back legs. These additional white markings would potentially deduct points in the show ring but I love her anyway. The white mark on her chest is called the "kiss of Merlin," it's a marking that can be traced back a specific pygmy goat pedigree lineage.

A better photo of momma Iris with her mismarked back white legs and tail.

Characteristics	Pygmy Goat	Nigerian Dwarf
Eye Color	Light golden brown	Brown or blue
Horns	Horned	Horned or polled
Coat Color	Caramel, agouti (grey, black, brown) and black coat patterns	Variety of colors and patterns with white body markings
Proportions	Short, compact and cobby	Leaner and thinner boned

Here is the word for word description of a Pygmy Goat according to the NPGA Breed Standards document found online:

The Pygmy Goat is genetically small, cobby, and compact. Its frame is clearly defined and well angulated; limbs and head are short relative to body length. The Pygmy Goat is full-barreled and well-muscled; the body circumference in relation to height and weight is proportionately greater than that of dairy breeds. The Pygmy Goat is hardy, agile, alert and animated, good-natured, and gregarious. The legs and feet should work together so that the gait (tracking) is smooth, balanced, ground covering and effortless.

It's worth noting in the Pygmy Goat Breed Standards, for comparison to the measurements below for the Nigerian Dwarf breed, adult Pygmy Goat does can be 16 - 22 3/8 inches and bucks 16 - 22 5/8 tall at the withers. What adds to the confusion about both breeds is, supposedly both breeds originated from West Africa known originally as the WAD Goat (West African Dwarf Goat), coming in batches to the US around the 1930s through 1960s. There are various accounts and trains of thought on the origin timeline but I found the latter linked article helpful. Today's versions of "Americanzed" Nigerian Dwarfs are considered a dairy breed while Pygmy Goats were originally considered a meat breed, were made popular in petting zoos here in the United States.

I believe the best way to know if you have a Pygmy Goat is to see actual photo examples of registered Pygmy Goats in their permitted colors. So here are some of my registered animals for reference:

Baby Zeus is a brown agouti with a partial belly band.

Mai Tai is a caramel (light) with black markings. She was actually pregnant in this photo and went in to labor the next day. You can see how the Pygmy Goat breed is more squatty, round and cobby.

Zorro is a grey agouti with a partial belly band.

JJ is a caramel (medium) with black markings. He has a white mismarked back leg.

Baby twins JJ and Belle, both caramel (medium) with black markings. When caramel bucklings are young they often have darker faces (seen here) that can fade with castration. If left intact, the caramel pattern in bucks can sometimes also develop a black or brown shoulder stripe called the Martingale stripe.

Baby Solomon and his momma Stella, both black agoutis. Sometimes as babies, grey and black agoutis can be hard to distinguish from one another. Solomon ended up turning darker as he got older.

Here is the word for word description of a Nigerian Dwarf according to the ADGA Breed Standards found online in contrast to the Pygmy Goat:

Nigerian Dwarf does are at least 17 inches tall and may be no taller than 22.5 inches. Bucks are also at least 17 inches tall and no taller than 23.5 inches. While there is no weight requirement, 75 pounds is an average weight. Many color combinations are common, the ears are of medium length and erect, and the bridge of the nose is either straight or dished. The hair is short and fine. The Nigerian Dwarf was also developed in the United States and is the only miniature dairy goat breed registered by the American Dairy Goat Association. Although a small goat, the Nigerian Dwarf doe produces a proportionate quantity of milk with high butterfat.

Examples of mature registered Nigerian Dwarfs, photos kindly provided by Top Knotch Mini Farm.

Nigerian Dwarf buck. Notice the lean and longer proportions and color variation throughout.

Nigerian Dwarf doe. Notice the white markings found all over the face and body.

Nigerian Dwarf doe. Closer to Pygmy Goat coat color and markings but still a Nigerian Dwarf.

Nigerian Dwarf doe. Notice the multi-color markings on the face and body.

Personality:

Some individuals have asked me if there is a difference in personality between the the Pygmy Goat and Nigerian Dwarf breeds. I cannot speak to the Nigerian Dwarf breed as I have never owned one myself. However, I can speak to the Pygmy Goat breed with over 15 years of breeding and owning them. Pygmy Goats like all animals each have their own unique personalities. Some are more shy, some are more outgoing. I love the Pygmy Goat breed because they are very social, curious and generally enjoy being around people. Some can be a bit bossy and establish a pecking order amongst themselves but overall, I find them to be a docile, inquisitive and happy breed to own. They make terrific pets, companion animals and livestock animals for 4H and educational programs. With my 6 years of combined dog, horse and art therapy experience, I created a unique farm education and therapy program, called the Jump for JOY Program® with my Pygmy Goats. I travel Michigan with the program spreading joy with pygmy goats at senior centers, corporate events, birthday parties, festivals, libraries and more.

Me with my very first Pygmy Goat named, Daisy. I enjoyed showing and breeding in 4H for many years.

Takeaways:

Bottom line, it doesn't matter what breed your goat is, it deserves your love, adoration, attention and care. When I started out with my pygmy goats as a child, my original 4H herd was not registered. They may have even at one time had Nigerian Dwarf mixed in. However, their color patterns and body proportions matched the standard textbook definition of acceptability and none of them ever had blue eyes. I also intentionally bred to get even closer to the breed standard definitions. Registered or not, all goats are beautiful animals with such depth of personality and are just fun to own! If you are in doubt of whether or not you own Pygmy Goats or are about to purchase a true Pygmy Goat, my rule of thumb is you cannot be 100% guaranteed what an animal is unless it is registered. To be a registered, an animal must come from registered parents with papers from a reputable breed association such as the AGS, NPGA, NPGAA or ADGA. Ultimately, if registered animals do not suit your needs and desires, looking at the overall appearance of an animal and how it fits within the breed standards can help you make a more accurate and educated determination of the breed of goat you own.

Lastly, I will add if you're looking to purchase a registered Pygmy Goat in your area, please check out the vetted Pygmy Goat breeder list that can be found at this Facebook group: Pygmy Goats USA. If you are located in Michigan you can check out this Facebook group: Ohio Registered Pygmy Goats for Consideration.

Nicole Zaagman lives in Byron Center, Michigan with her husband and her furry and feathered family members. Nicole is an accomplished, Christian entrepreneur and children's author, passionate about helping women succeed in life and business through coaching. She travels the state of Michigan visiting senior centers, libraries, family celebrations, community festivals and special events with her pygmy goats through the Jump for JOY Program®. Nicole owns and manages Parkside Farm, an agritourism destination in Byron Center, Michigan. Nicole is an AgVocate and ally for agriculture and farm education and encourages families to connect with and support local farms.