Golden Guernsey

The Golden Guernsey is a small goat with a moderate milk yield which although less than other breeds, is comparable when the lower food intake is considered.

It is adaptable to free range or stall feeding and can be kept by those without much land, needing only a house and a fenced yard. With an affectionate and docile nature, these points all emphasize its suitability as a house goat.

Breed Points

Head  Ears erect with a slight upturn at the tips. Facial line dished or straight. No tassels.

Body  Smaller than the other breeds. Fine-boned.

Skin  A shade of gold, neither pink nor grey.

Coat  All shades of gold with or without small white markings and blaze or star on head.

Male coat  Usually carries more hair than the female.

No Swiss markings. Hair long or short.

History

The origin of the Golden Guernsey is unknown, though research on DNA by the University of Cordoba has concluded that the goat is indigenous to Guernsey.

There were a few golden goats amongst the scrub herds on Guernsey, and these were seen by Miss Miriam Milbourne in 1924. It is largely thanks to her efforts that the golden goat has survived. She started keeping goats in 1937, and in the early 1950s began a breeding programme for Golden Guernseys at the suggestion of a B.G.S. Judge, Dr Tracey. With great determination she increased her herd to about 30 goats, and in 1965 a separate Golden Guernsey register was opened in the Guernsey Goat Society's Herd Book. The first successful imports to England were in 1967 and the inaugural meeting of the mainland club was in 1969. The B.G.S. Golden Guernsey register was opened in 1971.


The breed is categorised as a rare breed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and its status is monitored on the Watchlist.

For further information about this breed of goat please visit The Golden Guernsey Goat Society