Alpine Breed
Standards...
American Dairy Goat
Association...
The Alpine Dairy Goat is also referred to as the French Alpine and
registration papers for this dairy goat use both designations and
they are synonymous. The Alpine dairy goat is a medium to large size
animal, alertly graceful, and the only breed with upright ears that
offers all colors and combinations of colors giving them distinction
and individuality. They are hard, adaptable animals that thrive in
any climate while maintaining good health and excellent production.
The hair is medium to short. Mature does are expected to be no less
than 30 inches at the withers and weigh no less than 135 lbs. Mature
bucks are expected to be no less than 32 inches at the withers and
weigh no less than 170 lbs. The face is straight. A Roman nose,
Toggenburg color and markings, or all-white is discriminated
against. Alpine colors are described by using the following terms
The French vs. The American
Alpine...
Amongst new Alpine enthusiasts, the French and American designation
is often a confusing one. The French or Purebred Alpine is one who
traces back to only the original animals imported from France.
American Alpines are those animals that have been crossed with other
breeds and then bred back up using registered American or
French Alpine bucks. A French Alpine (aka Purebred Alpine) can only
be achieved by breeding two French Alpines together. The terms
French and Purebred are synonymous and can be used interchangeably.
However, because American Alpines result from crossbreeding, they
cannot be described as "Purebred". The registration papers of all
Alpines will designate if the animal is French or American Alpine.
At dairy goat shows, French and American Alpines compete against
each other and are shown in the same "Alpine" breed division. There
is no advantage to one or the other and neither has an advantage
from the scorecard in the show ring when being judged.
American Goat Society...
The French Alpine is sleek, short-haired, and multicolored. It tends
to look larger, "rangier", and more fine boned than the Toggenburg,
with more space between the ground and the underline of the body.
Although the angularity and width should still be present, they may
not be as obvious as in the Toggenburg. The head should be wide
between the very alert eyes, but because of its long body, the width
may not be as apparent as in other breeds. The "dish" in the bridge
of the nose will be less severe than other breeds, sometimes being
almost straight. The muzzle may not appear to e as wide as deep, and
the ears may be longer than the Toggenburg, although just as alert.
British Goat Society...
The goat is black with white Swiss markings and has been developed
in the UK. The goat should be rangy with a short fine coat. The
overall effect is a most impressive animal when the black coat
acquires its summer gloss. The breed can be highly individual in
character and tends to be a breed of enthusiasts who like a
challenge.
British Alpines generally have long lactations. An average 24 hour
yield of 4.09 Kg. at 2.77% butterfat and 2.74% protein was obtained
by considering data from all British Alpines entered in B.G.S
recognized milking trials in a recent year (459 performances).
Canadian Goat Society...
The Alpine is one of the Swiss breeds, and is acceptable in any
color patter, although bucks with solid white or standard Toggenburg
color and markings are faulted. Ears are upright; the bridge of the
nose is straight or slightly dished.
Color patterns in the Alpine are often referred to by French names:
the illustration shows a cou clair (light-colored neck) broken with
a wide white belt. Other color patterns are cou blanc (white neck,
black rear quarters), sundgau (black with white facial stripes,
white belowe knees and hocks, white on either side of tail), and
chamoisee (any shade or mixture of brown, often with a black stripe
along the back and white markings on the face) or two-tone chamoisee
(usually a lighter brown on the forequarters). A "broken" pattern
has large white areas obscuring the basic colors.
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