As a Pygmy owner myself I’m obviously going to be biased here! But they really do make the absolute best pets! They’re particularly good if you don’t have a massive amount of space as they’re a relatively small breed, but very robust. Females average at 28kg and males 32kg. Pygmies can vary hugely in size and appearance, more so than any other breed, since they are technically originally cross breeds a ‘Heinz 57’ variety you could say. Although, these days they are more standard since the beginning of the Pygmy Goat Society. Their coats can often be long and will need grooming in order to stay clean and tangle free. They’re funny, mischievous, inquisitive and placid. Just like dogs they love to learn but, most of all, they love snuggles!

These majestic goats also make fantastic pets. They are extremely sweet natured, intelligent and placid almost to the point of being lazy. They are bigger than Pygmies with females averaging 55kg and males 70kg. They will require a bit more space than Pygmies. They can vary from a creamy, strawberry blond to a dark bronze in colour and some grow long hair that will require grooming. Sadly there are less than 1400 of these beautiful goats in the uk.

A very pretty white/cream, short haired breed. They are known to be a very gentle, sweet natured breed, similar to the Golden Guernsey but bigger. Females average at 65kg while the males can be much bigger at 90kg.  They definitely require a good deal of space.

Gentle, loving and very family friendly as they're great with children. You'll need high, secure fencing if you choose this breed as they are fantastic escape artists! They are slightly bigger than Pygmies (but less round!) females average around 38kg and males 50kg. They come in varying shades of brown, black and grey and are hairy coated. They are extremely hardy and bad weather does not bother them.

Sadly they are now rare with an estimated population of only 250.

The English Goat is a large, rare breed, with females weighing around 60kg and males around 85kg. They and are short haired, generally of a docile temperament but can be capricious. They’re very hardy and thrive in the British climate. Their horns, when mature, tend to curl outwards and they do not have wattles. Not a fussy eater by any means, will forage anything so great for land clearance so need lots of land to forage as they will not be content in small areas. Due to their strength they make good harness goats.

Anglo Nubians are very friendly and affectionate. They are also known for their intelligence and can be very vocal. They have a short, glossy coat that come in a variety of colours and patterns. These are one of the larger breeds with females reaching 110kg and males 140kg so will need a lot of space.

These are a very family friendly breed if they grow up with children, they love cuddles and playtime. Their coat is short and glossy, mostly white with a dark red/brown head. They are often chosen for petting zoos and make fantastic companion animals for donkeys. They are also one of the bigger breeds with females averaging 100kg and males 135kg.

This striking breed is very quiet and shy but when they know you are calm and trusting. They’re not adventurous and prefer to be in larger groups. Females average at around 50kg while males are around 80kg so not big as goats go. Angoras require a little more of a hair care routine due to their long curls and may be more prone to mites and lice. They should be sheared once or twice a year to keep them in good condition and comfortable. Foot care is extremely important as they can suffer issues especially in wet weather. They require a bit more attention to their vitamins and minerals. The upside of the extra care they need (aside from goaty snuggles) is all the mohair you can use for knitting and crochet! These goats are probably not for beginners but give back so much.