Goats are varied and versatile animals, with many different breeds serving different purposes. Some goats are used for their meat, some for their milk, and others for their fiber.
There are also breeds that are kept as pets. Some homesteaders prefer long-haired goats for better resources.
No matter what your purpose is for raising a goat, there is sure to be a breed that fits your needs.
In this blog post, we will be discussing the top 25 long-haired goat breeds.
25 Long-Haired Goat Breeds: What Kind of Goat Has Long Hair?
Here are a few of the most beautiful long-haired goat breeds that you might want to add to your homestead:
1. Pygora
The Pygora is a breed of goat that is characterized by its long, silky hair.
These goats are a cross between the Pygmy goat and the Anglo-Nubian goat, and they are known for being calm and gentle creatures.
2. Pygmy
The Pygmy goat is a small breed of domestic goat native to Africa. Pygmy goats were brought to Europe and North America in the 1950s for use as zoo animals and as pets.
Today, they are still popular as both pets and livestock animals.
Pygmy goats average about 20 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh about 30-50 pounds when fully grown.
They come in a variety of colors, including black, brown, white, cream, spotting (black spots on a light background), or a combination thereof.
Pygmy goats typically have short hair, but there is also a long-haired variety known as the Nigerian Dwarf.
Pygmy goats require little space and make great companions due to their friendly dispositions.
3. Saanen
The Saanen is a breed of long-haired goat from the Saanen Valley in Switzerland.
Though the exact origins of the breed are unknown, it is thought to be descended from the Alpine Chamois Goat.
The Saanen is a large breed, with adults weighing up to 200 pounds. They are white or light-colored, with long, straight hair.
Saanens are known for their milk production, and often produce more than a gallon of milk per day.
They are also used for meat and fiber production. Saanens are hardy goats that can thrive in a variety of climates, making them a popular choice for both commercial and hobby farms.
4. Nigora
The Nigora is a relatively new breed of goat, developed in the United States in the early 21st century.
It is a cross between a Nigerian Dwarf goat and an Angora rabbit and is characterized by its long, silky hair. Nigoras come in a variety of colors, including white, black, brown, and cream.
Although they are not as large as some other breeds of goats, they are still fairly sizable, weighing up to 50 pounds. Nigoras are known for being friendly and easy to care for, making them popular pets.
They are also becoming increasingly popular as dairy goats, as their milk is high in butterfat and makes excellent cheese and yogurt.
5. Bilberry
A breed of feral Irish goats, Bilberry goats are known for their long, luxurious fur. This is probably why they earned a good spot in our list of long-haired goat breeds.
The best part about this is that it can be used to make a variety of products including clothing and blankets.
6. Bagot
The Bagot is considered one of the long-haired goat breeds that originated in England.
Bagots are black or dark brown with white markings, and they have long, shaggy coats. They are also distinguished by their small horns and upright ears.
7. Australian Cashmere
The Australian Cashmere breed is one of the many long-haired goat breeds. The breed was developed in Australia in the early 1800s from crossbreeding between Cashmere and Angora goats.
The resulting goats had longer, softer hair that was ideal for making cashmere fiber.
Today, Australian Cashmere goats are raised primarily for their fiber, which is considered to be some of the finest in the world.
The goats are also known for their gentle dispositions and easy-going nature, making them a popular choice as pets and show animals.
Australian Cashmere goats are an important part of the Australian agricultural industry, and their fiber is prized by knitters and weavers around the world.
8. Messinese
The Messinese breed of long-haired goat is native to the island of Sicily. The breed is known for its long, lustrous coat, which can be either white or black.
The Messinese is a hardy breed that is well-suited to the rugged terrain of Sicily. The breed is also known for its friendly and docile nature.
Goats of this breed are commonly used for milk production, as their milk is high in fat and protein. The Messinese breed is currently listed as endangered by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
There are thought to be less than 200 purebred Messinese goats remaining in the world.
9. Hexi Cashmere
Hexi Cashmere is a breed of long-haired goat that is native to the Hexi Corridor in China.
The Hexi Corridor is an arid region that stretches for over 1,000 miles between the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts.
Despite the harsh conditions of the Hexi Corridor, the goats of this region have adapted to thrive in this harsh environment.
The Hexi Cashmere goats are renowned for their high-quality fiber, which is used to make some of the finest cashmere fabrics in the world.
The fiber of the Hexi Cashmere goat is exceptionally soft and strong, making it perfect for a wide range of applications.
In addition to being used in cashmere fabrics, the fiber of the Hexi Cashmere goat is also used to make carpets, insulation, and even paintbrushes.
10. Girgentana
The Girgentana breed of long-haired goat is native to the island of Sicily, off the southern coast of Italy.
The breed gets its name from the town of Girgenti, which is located in the province of Agrigento on Sicily’s southeastern coast.
The Girgentana breed is characterized by its long, white hair, which covers its entire body.
The length of the hair—along with the goat’s unique vertically-curled horns—makes the goats look much larger than they actually are.
The average weight of a Girgentana goat is between 100 and 200 pounds. The goats are also known for their gentle disposition and their ability to produce high-quality milk.
In addition to being used for dairy purposes, the Girgentana goat is also sometimes kept as a pet or used as a source of fiber.
11. Orobica
The Orobica breed of long-haired goat is native to the Italian Alps. It is one of the oldest and most popular breeds of goat in Italy and is known for its high-quality fiber.
The Orobica breed is also believed to be the ancestor of many other popular goat breeds, including the Toggenburg and Oberhasli.
The Orobica breed is characterized by its long, silky hair, which can range in color from white to black. The breed is also known for its large horns and hardy constitution.
Today, the Orobica breed is still popular among Italian goat breeders, and its fiber is prized for its quality and texture.
12. Changthangi
The Changthangi is a highly prized breed of long-haired goat from the Changthang region of Tibet.
Characterized by its extremely long and thick coat, the Changthangi is well adapted to the harsh conditions of its high-altitude home.
The coat not only provides warm insulation against the cold but also helps protect the goat from the strong winds that blow across the plateau.
In addition to its long hair, the Changthangi is also distinguished by its large horns and short, stocky build.
Due to its rarity and unique appearance, the Changthangi is considered one of the most valuable breeds of goats in the world.
13. Anatolian Black Goats
The Anatolian Black Goat is a long-haired goat breed that originates from the Anatolia region of Turkey.
The breed is known for its thick, lustrous coat which can range in color from black to brown.
The breed is also distinguished by its large body size and long, curved horns. Anatolian Black Goats are prized for their milk, which is high in fat and protein.
The breed is also considered to be one of the best meat goats in terms of flavor and tenderness.
Today, Anatolian Black Goats are found in many parts of the world, although they remain relatively rare.
In recent years, the breed has experienced a resurgence in popularity due to its unique appearance and outstanding milk production.
14. Danish Landrace
The Danish Landrace is a long-haired goat breed that is native to Denmark. The breed is known for its high-quality milk and its ability to produce large quantities of milk.
The Danish Landrace is also known for its docile temperament and its ability to thrive in a variety of climates.
The breed was first developed in the early 1900s, and it quickly became popular among farmers in Denmark.
Today, the Danish Landrace is one of the most common goat breeds in Scandinavia. The breed is also gaining popularity in other parts of Europe and North America.
15. Dutch Landrace
The Dutch Landrace breed of long-haired goat is a variety of dairy goat that is native to the Netherlands. The breed is known for its large body size, long hair coat, and high milk production.
Dutch Landrace goats are typically white in color, although some may have light brown or gray markings.
The breed is also known for its calm and docile temperament. Dutch Landrace goats are often used for dairy production, as they can produce up to 2 gallons of milk per day.
The milk is high in fat and protein, making it ideal for making cheese and other dairy products.
Dutch Landrace goats are also popular as pets due to their gentle nature. If you’re looking for a friendly and hardworking goat breed, the Dutch Landrace is an excellent choice.
16. Golden Guernsey
The Golden Guernsey breed of long-haired goat is thought to originate from the island of Guernsey, in the English Channel.
The breed was first mentioned in print in 1816, and it is believed to be a cross between the British short-horned goat and the French Toggenburg breed.
Golden Guernseys are characterized by their beautiful golden-colored coats, which can range from light to dark in color.
They are also known for their long hair, which gives them their name. They also have long horns in some cases.
In addition to their striking appearance, Golden Guernseys are also known for their gentle temperament and milking ability.
Today, the breed is popular in both Europe and North America, and it continues to be prized for its unique appearance and gentle nature.
17. Finnish Landrace
The Finnish Landrace is a breed of long-haired goat from Finland. The breed is double coated, with the outer coat being long, dense, and wavy, and the undercoat being soft and dense.
The coat can be any color or combination of colors but is typically black, brown, or white.
Finnish Landrace goats are known for their milk production, and their milk is high in fat and protein. The breed is also well-suited to cold climates and can be found in both Norway and Sweden.
In addition to their dairy products, Finnish Landrace goats are also used for their meat.
The breeds’ hardy nature and ability to thrive in harsh conditions make them an ideal choice for farming and ranching operations in Finland.
18. Angora
The Angora is a breed of long-haired goat known for its lustrous coat. The Angora is thought to have originated in the Ottoman Empire, and it was brought to Europe in the 18th century.
The coat of the Angora goat is composed of two types of hair: an inner layer of soft, downy fiber, and an outer layer of coarser guard hairs. The fiber is harvested by gently combing the hair from the body of the goat, a process that does not harm the animal.
The resulting fiber is light and airy, making it ideal for use in sweaters, shawls, and other garments. Angora goats are also sometimes kept as pets, due to their calm and docile nature.
19. Maltese Goats
The Maltese is a breed of long-haired goat from the island of Malta. The breed is thought to have originated from cross-breeding between the local Maltese Goat and the Angora Goat.
The Maltese is a small to medium-sized goat, with both sexes weighing between 60 and 80 pounds.
The coat is long and dense, with a silky texture. The coat can be any color but is typically white or cream.
Maltese goats are known for their gentle dispositions and easy-going nature. They make excellent companion animals and are often kept as pets.
In recent years, the breed has also gained popularity as a source of milking goats, as they produce high levels of milk.
20. Pyrenean
The Pyrenean breed of long-haired goat is native to the Pyrenees Mountains of France and Spain. These goats are characterized by their long, thick coats, which can be either white or black.
Pyrenean goats are also known for their high milk production, and they are often used for dairy purposes.
In addition to their milk, Pyrenean goats also produce a high-quality fiber that is often used for making clothing and other textiles.
Today, there are thought to be fewer than 500 Pyrenean goats remaining in the wild, making them one of the most endangered goat breeds in the world.
Conservation efforts are underway to help preserve this unique breed of goat.
21. Chigu
Chigu is a long-haired goat breed from the Himalayan region. The breed is known for its thick, lustrous coat which can be either white, red, gray, or brown in color.
Chigus are also distinguished by their large, rounded horns.
Both male and female goats of this breed have horns, although the horns of males are usually larger.
In addition to their striking appearance, Chigus are also known for their docile and friendly dispositions. As a result, they make great pets as well as valuable livestock animals.
Although they are not currently widely available outside of their native region, Chigus are becoming increasingly popular in the international market due to their unique combination of beauty and temperament.
22. Valais Blackneck
The Valais Blackneck is a breed of domestic goat from the Valais region of Switzerland. It is one of the four Swiss Mountain breeds and is considered a medium-sized breed.
The coat is black with a white blaze extending from the nose to the back of the neck, and there is also a white band around the base of the neck.
The hair on the body is short and dense, but there is a longer mane and beard. Both sexes have horns, which are relatively long and sharply curved.
The Valais Blackneck is a versatile breed, used for both milk and meat production. The soft, lustrous hair is often used for making cashmere and other luxury fabrics.
The breed is well-adapted to cold climates and can be found at high altitudes in the Alps.
However, they are also fairly heat-tolerant and can be kept in warmer climates as well. Overall, the Valais Blackneck is a hardy breed with many valuable qualities.
23. Stiefelgeiss
The Stiefelgeiss is a breed of long-haired mountain goat that is found in the Alps of Austria and Switzerland.
They are one of the largest goat breeds, and their powerful build helps them to navigate the steep and rocky terrain of their homeland.
Stiefelgeiss goats are known for their thick, lustrous coats, which can range in color from white to brown.
Their long hair helps to protect them from the cold weather conditions of the Alps, and it also provides insulation against predators.
Stiefelgeiss goats also have well-developed hooves that help them to grip slippery rocks. Thanks to these adaptations, Stiefelgeiss goats are well-suited to life in the Alps.
However, they are not commonly found outside of their native range.
24. Bionda dell’Adamello
The Bionda dell’Adamello is a breed of domestic goat that is found in the Lombardy region of Italy. The breed is named after the Adamello mountain range, where it is thought to have originated.
The Bionda dell’Adamello is a dual-purpose breed, being used for both milk and meat production.
The breed earned its spot in the list of long-haired goat breeds for its long, thick coat which can be either white or brown in color. The coat helps to protect the goats from the harsh winters in the Adamello mountains.
The Bionda dell’Adamello is a hardy breed that is well suited to life in rugged, mountainous terrain.
25. Asmari
The Asmari breed of long-haired goat is native to the mountains of central Asia. It is characterized by its thick, lustrous coat, which can range in color from white to black.
The Asmari is a hardy breed that is well-suited to harsh climates and rugged terrain. In addition to its striking appearance, the Asmari is prized for its milk, which is high in fat and protein.
The Asmari is also said to be an excellent source of cashmere, a type of fine fiber that is often used in luxury garments.
While the Asmari breed is not as widely known as some other goat breeds, it is nonetheless an important part of the global livestock industry.
Long-Haired Goat Breeds: Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are a number of different long-haired goat breeds to choose from, depending on your individual needs.
Whether you’re looking for a pet, livestock animal, or simply want some beautiful fiber, there’s sure to be a long-haired goat breed that’s right for you!