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Australian Miniature Goat Association
Inc Official Breed Association of the Australian Miniature Goat |
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Australian Miniature Goat Association
Inc Official Breed Association of the Australian Miniature Goat |
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Type
1 - AMGA Standards
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The Australian Miniature Goat has three different breed types
with their own individual 'breed' characteristics :
Minikin
Nuwby
Sheltie
Prior to 1st July, 2005 an additional breed type was also recognised - Pixie.
The Pixie type is now incorporated into the Minikin breed type.
Conformation and Type
The Australian Miniature Goat is a genetically small animal. Its conformation
is similar to that of the larger breeds, with all parts of the body in balanced
proportion relative to its size. They are hardy, alert animals with impeccable
temperaments that come in all colours and colour combinations. Their recommended
height range is from 43cm to 58.5cm (17” to 23”) for both does and
bucks, measured at the highest point of the withers, with preference given to
the smaller animals. They generally reach their full height at 3 years of age,
although bucks particularly still have some growth until at least 4 years.
As the Australian Miniature Goat is a height breed, any and all breed types and combinations of such are recognised by the AMGA registry and once classified will be put into their relevant miniature breed type. All body types are accepted - Saanen, British Alpine, Toggenburg, Anglo Nubian, Kalahari, La Mancha, Boer, Cashmere, Angora, Australian Feral etc and any combinations of such meeting the height requirements are eligible for registration.
Breeders need to strive to produce animals of a type that conforms to the standards for that type. All animals will be classified by type when registered as an adult. To aid in the development of the breed types, animals can be crossed by type at all grade levels up to grade A. Breeders are encouraged to focus on breeding to type as early as possible by selecting stock suitable for producing that type to enable them to ‘set’ the genetic characteristics for both size and type before reaching Purebred. An animal will only qualify for Purebred status when it is the result of a cross between two animals (minimum Grade A) of the same breed type and meets the height and breed conformation standards. If an animal does not conform it will only classify as the appropriate lower grade.
Classification
All Grade and Purebred animals will be classified for type upon turning three
years of age. To enable all goats to be correctly classified by type a minimum
of three photos, one of each side and one front on, will be required when upgrading
or with application for registration for all animals. The animal should be standing
in a relaxed state showing the normal position of the ears when being photographed.
Breeders should work to breed animals that meet the ideal breed standards using
the grading up process.
Breed types can be crossed in the lower grades and it is allowed, though not recommended, in the higher grades. Purebred animals will only be recognised if they are produced from two Grade A goats of the same breed type and providing they meet the ideal breed conformation standards.
There are two Purebred tiers:
Purebred = Grade A x Grade A of the same breed type and conforms to ideal breed
conformation standards.
Herdbook Purebred = Purebred x Purebred of the same breed type and conforms
to ideal breed conformation standards.
General Breed Conformation Standards (apply to
all breed types).
Conformation relates to the way the animal is ‘put together’ with
the general view being one of compactness with well proportioned legs and body
combined with style, beauty and balance. Feet and legs when viewed from the
front and behind should be straight and true and the animal should appear symmetrical.
In addition to the breed confirmation specifics for each breed type, the following
general breed conformation standards should be met.
Height - The height, measured at the wither is done with the animal standing squarely on firm flat ground, using a right angle measuring device set perpendicular to the floor. The maximum Purebred height is 50.8cm (20") for both does and bucks. Animals over 50.8cm but not exceeding 63.5cm in height are accepted for Grade standard only.
Head - Medium in length, rounded wide muzzle, even bite neither over nor under shot. Broad forehead, eyes set wide apart, bright, prominent but not protruding. The dental pad should fit snugly behind the teeth when the mouth is closed. Genetically horned, polled or neatly dehorned/disbudded. Ears in accordance with breed type conformation specifics.
Neck - Moderately long but in proportion to body, more slender in females compared to males.
Shoulder - Set smoothly against the chest wall and withers, blending with the body when viewed from all angles.
Forelegs - Straight strong and squarely set when viewed from
all angles.
Elbows should be close to the ribs and the Cannon bone
should be short. Chest should be deep and spacious with a wide floor to allow
room for heart and lungs.
Body - Long, deep, wide with well sprung open ribs with increasing width of barrel heading towards rump. Good body capacity allows kids to be carried easily without crowding vital organs. The flank is slightly hollow below the loin and arched at the lower edge. The girth is measured around the body behind the front legs.
Back - The entire top section, between withers and rump, divided into two sections, the chine from withers to the end of last rib and the loin, from the last rib to the rump. The Chine should be nearly level and straight for strength. The Loin should be strong and almost straight. It has to support the stomach and carry the weight of kids in the pregnant doe, during pregnancy.
Rump - The rump should be medium in length and width. It includes the hips, the points upper most, the thurls, the large side projection on the head of the femur (leg bone), the pins, the points found below and either side of the tail, and the tail. Each set of ‘points’ should be set wide apart indicating a large roomy pelvis, allowing adequate room for internal organs and normal passage during birth in does. The tail should be set high. The rump should be medium in length, wide and nearly level.
Hind Legs - Attaches to the body at the thurls, line should run from back of thigh through to front of pastern with sharp angulation (side view). (Rear view) legs should be straight, set moderately wide apart and squarely. The hock bone should be refined and narrow.
Feet - Straight compact, with deep heel and level sole, with short, upright toes set close together.
Udder - Well attached, wide and deep and in proportion to the size of the doe. Teats should be uniform in size, have reasonable length, be set well apart, squarely and be easily obtainable for the newborn kid/s. There should only be two teats (bucks included).
Bucks - Should have two well-developed equally sized testicles carried in the visibly undivided scrotum. Bucks should have two equally sized teats, one on either side of the scrotum. Bucks tend to have fuller beards and cape like manes. They also tend to be heavier set and masculine.
Coat - The Nuwby and Minikin coat should be short and sleek or a cashmere fleece. The Sheltie coat should be a long lustrous fibre minimum of 10cm (6”) in length. It hangs in dense curly locks or as thick straight hair. The coat must be evenly distributed throughout the body. The fleece/hair does not shed like cashmere however it may contain cashmere.
These standards have been set and adopted by the Australian Miniature Goat Association Inc., as at 15th April, 2004
Click here for Type 2 Breed Types.
All text and images contained herein are owned
by and are copyright © 2005-9 Australian Miniature Goat Association Inc (AMGA).
None of the contents of this site may be reproduced or republished except where
written permission is given by the AMGA.