Goat History - why is it important?
Because those genes had to come from somewhere! In the Nubian breed especially, there is a wide range of types and builds due to the origin of the breed. The origin description "from the Orient" in the ADGA handbook really is insufficient to explain the beginnings of the most popular American dairy goat breed.
In the early 1900's animal transport restrictions were not as strict as they are now, and it was a common practice to bring back fine-looking specimens of goats, from the various English ports around the globe, on the trading ships to supply milk and meat, and to sell to English goat fanciers. They were enamored with the long ears, exotic Roman noses and the fine, glossy, colorful coats, and bred them with local English stock to develop an English "Anglo-Nubian" goat.
The developing breed slowly started losing the exotic characteristics, and four bucks were brought in to correct the loss. They were: Sedgemere Sangar (Egyptian Zaraibi - now rare), Sedgemere Chancellor (Indian Jamnapari), Bricket Cross (Indian/Pakistani "Chitral" - see my write-up on this subject here) and Bricket Zoo (unknown Nubian type). A British Alpine doe also made a mark in the breed, named Sedgemere Faith, who can be found in Frosty Marvin's ancestor, Milkywhey Garry's distant past.
In the early 1900's animal transport restrictions were not as strict as they are now, and it was a common practice to bring back fine-looking specimens of goats, from the various English ports around the globe, on the trading ships to supply milk and meat, and to sell to English goat fanciers. They were enamored with the long ears, exotic Roman noses and the fine, glossy, colorful coats, and bred them with local English stock to develop an English "Anglo-Nubian" goat.
The developing breed slowly started losing the exotic characteristics, and four bucks were brought in to correct the loss. They were: Sedgemere Sangar (Egyptian Zaraibi - now rare), Sedgemere Chancellor (Indian Jamnapari), Bricket Cross (Indian/Pakistani "Chitral" - see my write-up on this subject here) and Bricket Zoo (unknown Nubian type). A British Alpine doe also made a mark in the breed, named Sedgemere Faith, who can be found in Frosty Marvin's ancestor, Milkywhey Garry's distant past.
Americans, not to be outdone, started importing Anglo-Nubians from England. One of the first imports is Holly Lodge Shingle (imported in 1909), with two very closely related does, Wigmore Brownie and Wigmore Pansy. All three goats are not much more than 2-3 generations out from the foundation sires. Shingle himself is a grandson of Bricket Cross. Obviously there are other breeds in there...he sure didn't get those ears from his granddaddy.
To be continued...
Additional history links (will slowly add more)
http://lamanchas.com/lm-history.htm
http://goatsleap.com/info.html <- another take on Lamancha breed history
http://www.cybergoat.com/NubianTalk/timeline.htm <- a very basic timeline of Nubian history
http://www.sabledairygoats.com/sabledairygoathistory.html <- Sable-specific history (and yes, purebred white Saanens can produce non-white babies!)
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/DG_History/ <- a nice collection of photographs of all ADGA recognised breeds, and occasional discussions about goat history
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dairy-Goat-History/182249995140624 <- this is my FB page, that I add to as time allows
http://goatsleap.com/info.html <- another take on Lamancha breed history
http://www.cybergoat.com/NubianTalk/timeline.htm <- a very basic timeline of Nubian history
http://www.sabledairygoats.com/sabledairygoathistory.html <- Sable-specific history (and yes, purebred white Saanens can produce non-white babies!)
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/DG_History/ <- a nice collection of photographs of all ADGA recognised breeds, and occasional discussions about goat history
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dairy-Goat-History/182249995140624 <- this is my FB page, that I add to as time allows