Boer Goat Breed Standards
Posted by Unknown in Breeds, Cattle and Livestock, Goat on Sunday 27 January 2013
GENERAL APPEARANCE & TYPE
In
the Doe there is strong emphasis on femininity; in the Buck one of
masculinity. The general appearance is a goat with a fine head, round
horns bent backwards; a loose, supple and pleated skin (especially in
bucks) with different body parts well fleshed in balance. The doe should
appear feminine, wedging slightly to the front. The buck should appear
heavier in the head, neck and forequarters. The Boer goat is an animal
with symmetry, as well as a strong and vigorous appearance.
CONFORMATION
HEAD
A
strong head with large soft brown eyes. A strong slightly curved nose,
wide nostrils, strong well formed mouth with well-fitted jaws. Up to 4
teeth must show a 100% fit. Six tooth and older may show 6 mm
protrusion. Permanent teeth must cut in the correct place. The forehead
must be prominently curved, linking up with the curve of nose and horns.
For animals that are not disbudded, horns should be strong, of moderate
length and placed moderately apart with a gradual backward curve. Horns
have to be as round and solid as possible and coloured darkly. Ears are
to be broad, smooth and hanging downwards from the head.
UNDESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS
Concave
forehead, horns too straight or flat, pointed jaw, stiff protruding
ears, short ears, jaws and blue eyes. Over or under-shot jaw.
NECK AND FOREQUARTERS
A
neck in proportion to the length of the body, full and well fleshed and
well joined with the forequarter. The breastbone should be broad with a
deep broad brisket. The shoulder should be fleshy, in proportion to the
body and be well fitted to, the withers. The withers should be broad
and well filled. The front legs should be in proportion to the depth of
the body. The legs should be strong and well placed, with strong pastern
joints and well-formed, dark hooves.
BARREL
The
ideal is a long, deep broad barrel. The ribs must be well sprung and
fleshed, with a long loin. The goat should have a broad back and
reasonably level topline.
UNDESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS
Sway or saddle back or pinched behind the shoulder.
HINDQUARTERS
The
Boer Goat should have a broad and long rump, with a slight slope, well
muscled buttocks and thighs. The tail must be straight where it grows
out of the dock and may swing to either side.
UNDESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS
Steep or short rump; wry tail or flat buttocks.
LEGS
The
legs should be strong and well placed. Too fleshy legs are undesirable.
Strong legs imply hardiness and a strong constitution, which are
absolutely essential characteristics of the Boer Goat.
UNDESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS
Knock knees, bandy legs, thin legs. Weak pasterns and hoofs pointing outwards or inwards.
SKIN AND COVERINGS
A
loose supple skin with sufficient chest and neck folds, especially in
the case of bucks. Eyelids and hairless parts should have a minimum of
75% pigmentation. Short glossy hair(except during winter months).
SEXUAL ORGANS
DOES:
Well-formed
udder firmly attached with no more than two functional teats per side.
One teat on each side or two teats per side; well separated is
desirable.
UNDESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS
Fish or cluster teats; blind teats.
BUCKS:
Two
reasonably large, well formed, healthy and equal sized testes in one
scrotum. The scrotum should be at least 25 cm in circumference at one
year of age. One teat or two teats per side is desirable.
UNDESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS
Fish or cluster teats A scrotum with more than A 5 cm split.
COLORING
Ideal coloring for a Traditional Boer Goat (TR) and a Canadian Purebred Boer Goat (CR) is a white body with reddish brown head.
E-mail am@ramhbreeders.com
