Guernsey (Golden)

The Guernsey, often called the Golden Guernsey, is a dairy goat from the Channel Island of Guernsey, where the type has existed for centuries. The island population was very nearly lost during the German occupation in the Second World War and survives because one woman, Miriam Milbourne, hid her herd.

They are gold, from pale cream to deep bronze, medium sized, and finer boned than the Swiss breeds.

They give a moderate volume of high-butterfat milk on less feed than a larger breed needs, which is their real case: efficiency rather than output.

They are docile and easy to keep.

The trade is availability. The American population is very small and derives from limited imports, so breeding stock is scarce and expensive, and anyone buying should ask carefully about the herd's genetic base.