Thuringian Goat: Origin, Characteristics, Uses

The Thuringian goat is a dairy goat breed from Thüringen in central Germany. It is derived from the selective breeding of crosses between Toggenburg, Harzerziege, Rhönziege, and Thüringer Landziege goat breeds.

In the early 1900s Swiss Toggenburg, Harzerziege and Rhönziege were introduced and Swiss Toggenburg was used again in 1988.

The Thuringian goat is a variety of the German Improved Fawn goat breed. It was developed around 1885. The breed is well-adapted to the mountainous regions and very rare today (almost extinct).

Thuringian goat’s original area was Thuringia, but now it has spread across the entire German Federal Republic.

The Thuringian goat is also known by some other names such as Thüringer Waldziege, Thüringer Wald, German Toggenburg. They is well known for their ability to walk long distances and also for their adaptability to the mountainous regions. They are also very strong and hardy animals. Read more information about this breed below.

Thuringian Goat Characteristics

Thuringian goats are medium sized animal. They may be either horned or polled. They are chocolate-brown in color with white markings on the head and legs, a light face mask and white flash on the rump.

They have white upright ears, and typically white from the upper eye area to the tip of the muzzle. Average height of the bucks is 78 cm, and 74 cm for the does.

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Adult Thuringian bucks on average weight about 55 kg, and the does about 48 kg. Photo from Wikipedia & info from ansi.okstate.edu

Uses

The Thuringian goat is a dairy goat breed and mainly used for milk production. But the breed is also good for meat production.

Special Considerations

Thuringian goats are very hardy and active. They are well known for their adaptability to mountainous regions and it’s ability to walk long distances. They are also known for their parasite and disease resistance ability. They are also sometimes used for brush clearing and field maintenance.

The Thuringian goat is a seasonal breeder and produce only one set of kids per year. Most of the kiddings are twins, and triplets are also common.

The Thuringian does on average produce about 700-1000 kg of milk per lactation. Their milk on average contain butterfat of 3.5 percent. Review full breed profile of the Thuringian goat in the following chart.

Breed NameThuringian
Other NameAlso known as Thüringer Waldziege, Thüringer Wald, German Toggenburg.
Breed PurposeMeat & Milk
Breed SizeMedium
BuckAbout 55 kg
DoeAbout 48 kg
HornsMay be either horned or polled
Climate ToleranceAll Climates
Coat ColorChocolate-brown in color with white markings
Good for Stall FedNot Sure
RarityRare
Country/Place of OriginGermany

1 thought on “Thuringian Goat: Origin, Characteristics, Uses”

  1. Osagie Aigbede

    I we like to buy a Goat meat full one, please l need the address or number waiting for your reply 🙏

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