Breed Standards

The following are the breed standards as drawn up and accepted by the Boergoat Breeders' Association of South Africa. The aim of this information is to improve the breed and to increase the economic value of prime genetics.

EXPLANATION OF BREED STANDARDS:

In applying standards, there are many aspects which cannot be fully defined. In such cases the inspector or judge must use his discretion. In spite of the breed standards being clear and concise, it is nevertheless neccessary to supply additional information in respect of certain descriptions.

The major part of the body of the goat must be white to make it conspicuous and to facilitate the rounding up of goats in dense terrain. A pigmented skin on the hairless parts, e.g. under the tail, round the eyelids and mouth etc., is absolutely essential, because it offers resistance to sunburn which may eventually result in cancer. A pigmented skin is also more resistant to skin disease. A loose, supple skin is essential for adaptability to climatic conditions. In South Africa, which is a warm and sunny country, an animal with a loose skin and short hair is better adapted. In addition, a skin of this kind provides additional resistance to external parasites.

CONFORMATION

HEAD:

A strong head with large, soft brown eyes and without an wild appearance. A strong, slightly curved nose, wide nostrils, strong well-formed mouth with well-fitting jaws. Animals up to 4-tooth must show a 100% fit. Six-tooth animals and older may show 6 mm protrusion. Permanent teeth must cut in the correct anatomical position. The forehead must be prominently curved linking up with the curve of nose and horns. Horns should be strong, of moderate length and placed moderately apart with a gradual backward curve. Horns must be as round and solid as possible and darkly coloured. Ears are to be broad, smooth and of medium length hanging downwards from the head. Too short ears are undesirable. Characteristic cull defects: Concave forehead, horns too straight or too flat, pointed jaw, ears folded (lengthwise), stiff protruding ears, too short ears, too long lower jaws, short bottom jaw and blue eyes.

NECK AND FOREQUARTERS:

A neck of moderate length in proportion to the length of the body, full and well fleshed and well-joined at the forequarter is essential. The breastbone should be broad with a deep and broad brisket. The shoulder should be fleshy, in proportion to the body and be well-fitted to the withers. The withers should be as broad and as well-filled as possible (not sharp). The front legs should be of medium length and in proportion to the depth of the body. The legs should be strong and well placed, with strong pastern joints and well-formed hooves which are as dark as possible. Characteristic cull defects: Too long, thin neck, too short neck, shoulders too loose.

BARREL:

The ideal is a long, deep broad barrel. The ribs must be well sprung and fleshed, and the loins as well fitted as possible. The goat should have a broad, fairly straight back and must not be pinched behind the shoulders. Characteristic cull defects: Back too concave, too slabsided, too cylindrical or pinched behind the shoulder.

HINDQUARTERS:

The Boer Goat should have a broad and long rump, not sloping too much, well fleshed buttocks which are not too flat, and have fully fleshed thighs. The tail must be straight where it grows out of the dock and then swing to either side. Characteristic cull defects: A rump that hangs too much or is too short. A too long shank or flat buttocks.

LEGS:

Emphasis should be placed on the legs which should be strong (of good texture) and well placed. Too fleshy legs are undesirable. Strong legs imply hardiness and a strong constitution, which are absolutely essential characteristics of the Boer Goat. Characteristic cull defects: Knock knees, bandy legs, cow hocked. Legs too thin or too fleshy. Weak pasterns and hooves pointing outwards or inwards.

SKIN AND COVERINGS:

A loose supple skin with sufficient chest and neck folds, especially in the case of rams, is essential. Eyelids and hairless parts must be pigmented. The hairless skin under the tail should have 75 % pigmentation for stud purposes with 100% pigmentation the ideal. Short, glossy hair is desirable. A limited amount of fur will be tolerated during winter months. Characteristic cull defects: Covering too long and coarse or too furry.

SEXUAL ORGANS:

Ewes: Well-formed udder firmly attached with no more than two functional teats per side. Permissible defects: * If there is no indication that the teat is split, yet there are two milk openings, this is acceptable. * Double teats: the front 50% should be split.
Rams: Two reasonably large, well formed, healthy and equal sized testes in one scrotum. A scrotum with no larger split than 5 cm is permissible. The scrotum must be at least 25 cm in circumference. Characteristic cull defects: Bunched, calabash or double teats. Too small testes, a scrotum with more than a 5 cm split.

QUALITY:

This is achieved with short glossy hair and a fine lustre.

SIZE:

The ideal is an average sized, heavy goat with maximum meat production. A desirable relationship between length of leg and depth of body should be achieved at all ages. Lambs should tend to be longer in the leg. Characteristic cull defects: Goats too large or too small (pony).

COLOURING

The ideal is a white goat with a red head and ears, and fully pigmented. The blaze must be evident. Shadings between light red and dark red are permissible. The minimum requirement for a stud animal is a patch of at least 10 cm in diameter on both sides of the head, ears excluded. Both ears should have at least 75 % red colouring and the same percentage pigmentation. The following is required for stud purposes:

HEAD, NECK AND FORE-QUARTERS:

A total red colouring not further than the shoulder blade and on the shoulder colouring must be present no lower than level with the chest junction.

BARREL, HINDQUARTER AND BELLY:

Only one patch not exceeding 10 cm in diameter is permissible.

LEGS:

The term "legs" is taken to mean that portion below an imaginary line formed by the chest and the underline. Patches with a maximum of 5cm in diameter are permissible.

TAIL:

The tail may be red, but the red colour may not continue onto the body for more than 2,5 cm.

RED HAIR AND COVERING:

Very few red hairs are permissible at the 2-tooth stage.

PIGMENTATION:

Discriminate against too light pigmentation.

FLOCK GOAT:

A flock goat is a Boer goat which does not comply with the stud standards, but has no cull faults. At least 50% must be red. Under the tail the flock goat must be at least 25% pigmented. Rams may not be more than 25% red.

GENERAL APPEARANCE AND TYPE:

In appearance it is a goat with a fine head, round horns bent backwards, a loose, supple and pleated skin (especially in rams) with different body parts well fleshed in perfect balance. The ewe must be feminine, wedging slightly to the front, which is a sign of fertility. The ram, however, appears heavier in the head, neck and forequarters. The upgraded Boer goat is an animal with symmetry, a strong, vigorous appearance and outstanding quality. In the ewe there is strong emphasis on femininity; in the ram one of masculinity.

FERTILITY:

Shows: A ewe must already have lambed at six tooth age or must be visibly pregnant or she will be culled.

AUCTIONS:

Six tooth and older ewes must be visibly pregnant or be certified in writing as pregnant by a veterinary surgeon or the ewe will be culled. Certificate to be handed in during inspection.

Thank you to The Boergoat Breeder's Society of South Africa from which the above information was adapted.