CHAPTER IX 



THE CHOICE OF A BREED 



General Considerations. — In deciding upon a choice 

 of one of the three hreeds of milk goats one may quite 

 safely be guided by chance, by convenience, or by per- 

 sonal preference. In other words, all three breeds are so 

 good that it is impossible to make a mistake in choosing 

 any of them. Safest of all is the choice dictated by one's 

 preference, for success in handling goats is so closely 

 dependent upon one's affection for them that the point 

 of first importance in starting the business is to be sure 

 you heartily like the breed you select. Nevertheless, 

 there are certain practical considerations that may have 

 to be weighed. These can best be presented following a 

 brief description of each of the breeds. 



The Anglo-Nubian. — This breed was originally 

 established by crossing bucks of Egyptian or Oriental 

 origin upon the native does of England. The cross bred 

 animal thus obtained inherited the vigor and constitution 

 of the dam, permitting it to thrive in the climate of Eng- 

 land, and, with some modifications, the peculiar type and 

 the productivity of the imported sires. The breed most 

 used in the creation of the Anglo-Nubian seems to have 

 been the Nubian goats of Northern Africa. An inter- 



76 



