Someone once commented that they don't need a show goat because they don't need "a pretty goat". I understand the sentiment and there is nothing wrong with only wanting a dairy goat for a homestead milker. I want to bring some clarity to why good conformation is far more than an aesthetic choice. It is not like breeding a bulldog to have a flat, unfunctional face because it is cute. Correct dairy goats are bred (ideally) with the goal of producing a healthy, strong, and useful animal; "a dairy goat that can function efficiently over a long, productive life," (per ADGA's scorecard). 

          Though productivity is our number #1 goal for our herd (being a dairy breed), we place great importance on the structure that can best uphold that productivity. When first looking into performance goats, I was only interested in finding the highest producers. I quickly realized that the structure maintaining that production is just as important. Without strong udder attachments, the udder will swing and sag to the ground as the goat ages which increases the risk of mastitis and injury to the udder and greatly shortens the productive lifetime of a goat. Teats that point outward, besides being difficult for the handler to milk, will rub against the goat's legs and also cause a greater risk of mastitis. Without deep body capacity, a goat does not have as great of an ability to consume forage and convert it to milk. A wide, open muzzle and nostrils should lead into a more open barrel and also allow for more forage intake. Good spring of rib allows for more lung action. Strong feet and legs, though not directly related to milk production, are one of the most important aspects of a dairy goat's longevity. Strong feet and legs with short, straight pasterns absorb ground shock and keep a goat moving into old age. One that is particularly important in our herd is rump width. A wide rump that is flat across (thurl to thurl; perpendicular to tail) allows for easier kidding, a necessary event if you want milk! Many of these traits have been shown to correlate with higher milk output.

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          These traits are generally on everyone's list when breeding for correct conformation, but using selective breeding and hard culling, you can breed for whatever traits YOU want to see in your animals. Keeping in mind breed characteristics, there are countless different styles of goats to breed for, even in just the Nigerian Dwarf breed. You may prefer shorter or taller goats (under breed height if ND), a particular color, larger teats or smaller teats, a more "powerful" style doe, or a more "dairy" style doe. You can breed for whatever you like! Selective goat breeding is a wonderful and FUN tool. There are manifold resources that can be helpful in reaching your goals, including ADGA genetics database (PTI's, PTA's, production database, CDCB records, COI's), ADGA performance programs (Linear Appraisal, DHIR milk testing), and even some great Facebook groups. Listed below are resources I have found helpful.

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          Though we all have different preferences in mind, the majority of our selection should be based on the same crucial structural traits referenced in the previous paragraph. Shows are a fun way of competing and displaying where your herd has come! Dairy goats have come a long way over the past few decades. Most goats no longer need "udder holders" to keep their udder from dragging on the ground! Every year goats of all breeds are moving closer to the ideal. Nigerian Dwarfs (our breed of choice) have improved at an extreme pace since being accepted into ADGA in 2010. I encourage all goat breeders to research basic dairy goat conformation to create the best goat for themselves, their breed, and the species as a whole. 

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