Newsgroups: rec.pets

I'll do my best to answer your questions.  I raised dairy goats for several
years, so some of my pygmy specific knowledge is lacking.  They are quite
similar, however with the pygmy being smaller and more hyper and the diary
breeds being larger (23-32 inches and ~120 lbs.) and more docile.  As a side
note, a dairy wether will probably cost less than a pygmy wether since the
dairy goat focus is on milk production rather than pets.  They are execellent
companions, however.

>I'd like to get one or more pygmy goats as companions to my Newfoundland dogs
>(I'm a breeder/exhibitor & currently own 9 adults). We have 6 acres, with
>a 3-acre fenced (field wire) meadow with grass, tall trees, small bushes
>and a year-around stream. The dogs are housed in an indoor-outdoor kennel with
>gravel-surfaced (outside) runs. Two outdoor (only) pens are gravel-surfaced
>with tall pines & poplars, and VERY LARGE dog houses with covered porches.

>Can a pygmy be raised as a puppy? Must I have at least 2 to form a herd, or
>can the pygmy bond with a Newf puppy or adult?

A kid can probably bond with a dog, but would likely be happier in a pair of
goats.  Wethers (castrated males) are usually considered the best for pets.  
Another option is a young doe with one or more kids.  Be sure *not* to get a
buck.  They make terrible pets and smell even worse.

>Can I house-train it? I've
>friends who have crate-trained their pygmies, but have not been successful in
>house-breaking. 

You're welcome to try, but I doubt it would work.  Due to the frequenty of 
their feces I think it would be a difficult task.  I've never herd of anyone
trying, though.  I'm not sure how good their hooves would be for indoor 
flooring.

>What sort of diseases - congenital & acquired - might a pygmy have?

Goats are susceptable to parasites and worms.  A vet might be able to tell
you which ones are common in your area.  Also, CAE is a disease to watch for.
It is mainly passed from mothers to kids.  Watch out for enlarged knee joints
when you visit the breeder.

>What is the desired conformation?

I'm not sure on all of the pygmy breed standards.  They should be short and
stocky with a rounded belly.  They should stand on strong feet legs.  This 
problem is more easily seen in older animals, so you would want to look at 
the breeder's older stock.  Particularly look to see that the part of the 
leg just above the rear hoove (the pastern) is not excessivly curved--that 
the dewclaws are above rather than behind the hoof.  There are also color 
standards, but the only one I recall is that all white is not acceptable.  
The teats, even on a male, need to not be split or double.  Pygmys should not
be dehorned, although you might want to do it if you don't plan to show the 
goat as they will be safer around people and dogs without horns.  Dairy goats
are always dehorned.

>Are they easy keepers?

Similar to dogs, I would think.  It depends on what you mean.  They need food,
water, shelter, a fence, company, and to have their hooves trimmed.  They like 
toys, such a wire spools, to jump on.  They don't need to be trained or walked,
though.

>What do you feed a pygmy goat? goat chow? hay?

Yes.  Goats are have the same sort of digestive system as cows and so should
be fed similarly.  They are happiest on a diet of green, leafy alfafa hay, 
grain, and pasture.  The grain should be rationed.  Overeating grain can kill
a goat.  Our feed store has a "goat mix" of grains mixed with molasses.  Dairy 
mixes (for cows) also work well.  The hay should be put in a feeder which will
keep it safe from rain and goat hooves.  They would enjoy grazing also, but you
would have to watch to be sure they didn't like the bark of one of your trees
or the taste of one of your bushes too much.  We had a small lilac bush and
some small cottonwoods that the goats ate to death.  Our goats also enjoyed
kitchen wastes such as carrot and potato peels, and especially cabbage and
broccoli remnents.  Goats should also have salt available, a well a bowl of
baking soda.  Dairy goats need loose salt because they can't get enough off
of a block, but this might be less important for a non milking animal.  The
baking soda helps them control any imbalance in their digestive systems, and
can be purchased at a feed store. (they call it sodium bicarbonate)

>What routine innoculations are required?

Goats should be vaccinated for tetnanus and clostridial disease (C. perfringens C + D) when kids and once a year as adults.

>Is a
>"pure-bred" more desireable (assuming there are such things)? Any reference
>books? 

The National Pygmy Goat Assn could help you with more information and with
names of breeders in you area.  Contact NPGA, Dept. A, RFD 1 Fern Ave.,
Amesbury, MA 01913 (617)388-5633.

>Thanks for the help!

>Marget Johnson, Windwagon Newfoundlands, Tipp City OH
>marget.johnson@daytonOH.NCR.COM


Veronica Thompson
veronica@hpgrla.gr.hp.com