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Interested in Nigerian Dwarf goat color genetics?

One of the many traits that make Nigerian Dwarf goats so popular is their stunning array of colors and patterns. Understanding these colors can sometimes be challenging, so I’ve provided examples here to help you grasp the various coat patterns and colors of Nigerian Dwarf and Mini (standard breed x Nigerian) dairy goats.

Predicting Goat Colors

While it’s often said that predicting goat colors is impossible, we can make educated guesses based on our knowledge of the goats’ phenotype (physical appearance) and genotype (genetic makeup). For instance, breeding two black goats will only produce black or chocolate kids. This article touches on the genetics behind these colors and patterns, with more detailed information available in my eBook.

The beautiful array of colors and patterns in Nigerian Dwarf goats is due to the early influence of various breeds during the development of Nigerians in North America. As the breed evolved into the miniature dairy goat we know today, genes from other goat breeds, especially dairy breeds, were introduced.

Main Coat Colors of the Nigerian Dwarf Goats

• Black: Solid black goats can simply be registered as black.
• Chocolate: Solid brown or chocolate-colored goats can be described as chocolate.
• Spotted: Goats with various colored spots can be described by their primary color followed by “spotted.”
• Belted: Goats with a distinct belt of a different color around their middle can be registered as belted with the primary color first.