West African Dwarf goat

The West African Dwarf goat breed from coastal West and Central Africa is the progenitor of the African Pygmy and Nigerian Dwarf breeds in the United States, as well as the Dutch Dwarf and Pygmy goat breeds in Great Britain. This breed likely evolved in response to conditions of the humid forests of West and Central Africa.

The West African Dwarf goat is markedly stunted and has a typical height of 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20 in). Adult males weigh 20 to 25 kg (44 to 55 lb) and females 18 to 22 kg (40 to 49 lb). Both sexes have horns, which curve outwards and backwards in males. Males also have beards and sometimes manes. Characteristics include a relatively long neck, broad chest, and straight back. Legs are short and the udder is small but generally well-shaped. Most have short stiff hair, and colour varies; dark brown with black points is probably the most common, but black, red, white, pied, and multicoloured goats also occur.

West African Dwarf goats are capable of breeding at twelve to eighteen months. Multiple births are very common, with twins being normal and triplets frequent. The kidding interval averages about 220 days. These goats are typically kept as livestock by families who harvest or sell the milk and meat.

West African Dwarf goats are important in the rural village economy of West Africa. Nigerian West African Dwarf goats are trypanotolerant (they resist to infections by Trypanosoma) and haemonchotolerant (they resist infections with the gastrointestinal parasite nematode Haemonchus contortus more effectively than other breeds of domestic goat).

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