Nigerian Dwarf

The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature dairy goat descended from West African stock brought to the United States on ships carrying big cats, as feed and as companions for them. Survivors ended up in zoos and from there in private hands.

They are properly proportioned miniatures rather than dwarfs, about two feet at the shoulder, and they are the only miniature breed bred for milk rather than as pets.

The milk is the argument. Nigerian Dwarf milk has the highest butterfat of any dairy goat, higher than a Nubian's, which makes a small quantity worth handling. They also breed year round and often produce three or four kids.

The trade is quantity and fencing. You need several does to match one standard goat's output, so equipment and labour per litre are high, and an animal that size gets through fencing that would hold anything larger.