Breed Standard

American and Purebred Miniature Nubians

The Mini-Nubian is a mid-sized goat being of mixed Nigerian and Nubian origin.  It is known for being a graceful, elegant animal standing between 22-28 inches and comes in any color or pattern of short, fine, glossy hair. This mid-sized goat is know for its ease of milking; producing a high quantity and quality of milk whose butterfat yield is similar to that of the standard Nubian.

Emphasis is placed on a structurally correct animal with well-attached udder that milks with ease.  As this breed was originally designed for small farms and homesteaders who milk by hand and needed a smaller animal for handling and feeding purposes.

The breed character setting the Mini-Nubian apart from other Mini's is a nose that is never dished, but straight to strongly convex (with the strongly convex being more desirable).  And distinctive, long, wide, and pendulous ears that when held along the face reach the end of the nose.  They should be held close to the head where they attach and then widen and flare out and forward to a rounded tip, making the classic "bell" shaped ear standard Nubians are so well known for.

No part of the Mini-Nubian should be coarse, but instead dairy and refined (with masculinity for bucks); with soft supple skin and udders, strong correct legs, wide flat boning throughout, sharp shoulder blending into a long and graceful neck, and ample width and depth for kidding and milking purposes. 

Maximum height: Does 28” Bucks 29”

Evaluation of Defects

Moderate Defect

Straight face

Disqualification

Upright ears

Examples of defects:

Upright Ears (interesting note: these 2 does have very high percentage of Nigerian - 75% or more):

Airplane ears:

2/3rd's drop ears:

Dished face: