Goats today come in just about any color you could want.
From white to black and everything in between, goats have been selectively bred by us for so long that they can basically produce any color we want.
Despite its perceived plainness, brown is still one of the most common shades for goats to come in, and there are plenty of breeds available for those looking for a brown goat.
But that choice can also be a curse as well as a blessing for those of us who have difficulty being spoilt for choice.
Today, then, I’m going to compile some of the most common and popular breeds of brown goat available in the world.
Let’s get started.
Chamois colored
First up, we have the Swiss Chamois breed. They come in both a horned and unhorned variety, and originate from the Grisons region of eastern Switzerland.
This is the horned variety—the hornless variety is more commonly found in Brienz in central Switzerland.
Either variety, though, has a brown coat, with some black on the face and belly and sometimes the legs.
They are highly friendly and very gentle, spending most of their time grazing and foraging.
They are usually bred for milk and meat, though make great pets.
Alpine
Originating from all over the Alps, in France, Switzerland, Italy and other places, Alpine goats have become one of the most ubiquitous breeds in the world.
They are instantly recognizable, at the average size and weight of a typical goat.
They are bred both for meat and milk, though more commonly for milk.
They are friendly and curious and enjoy human interactions.
Their coats are most commonly brown, although they can also be found in a more bay color.
Altai mountain
Moving East now, we have the Altai mountain goat, named for a former autonomous region of the Soviet Union.
Like many cold weather varieties, they are mostly bred for their thick, luxurious and highly profitable fiber wool.
They can also be used for meat and milk, though.
Their coats are usually brown, or very dark brown, and sometimes black.
It is wonderfully thick and soft, so these goats make great companions to have around.
They are somewhat more standoffish than other breeds, though.
Changthangi
Native to the Kashmir region of India, you know that you are getting true luxury in the coat of this breed.
They are also called Changra or Pashmina.
They are mostly bred for wool now, producing some of the best quality fiber of any breed in the world.
That said, they were also bred for meat.
Their coats are usually a soft brown, and they do have an undercoat that will be slightly different in color.
They can also come in grey or black, too, although those are much less common.
Toggenburg
Most commonly found in Australia today, the Toggenburg originates from Switzerland again.
They are one of the oldest dairy breeds officially recognized in the world, though they are also kept for meat production.
They are most commonly brown and pale brown, sometimes with cream and white markings on their bodies elsewhere.
Their coats are usually short since they originate in quite hot regions, though it can be a bit longer.
They are very common and easy to find, so they make a great choice for you.
Pygmy
The pygmy goat has undoubtedly become one of the most popular breeds in the world, and it’s easy to see why.
They are tiny and cute, and they are friendly and inquisitive.
This makes them great pets and great to have around.
They have a couple of varieties in color, but most are just varieties of brown.
They come in caramel and brown agouti, though they are less commonly found in solid black.
If you just want a pet goat, then the pygmy is one of the best choices around.
Kri-kri
These goats are actually almost entirely feral.
Their current wild population is around 2000, and so they’re quite vulnerable.
They go by other names, like Cretan, Bezoar, and some even refer to them as Ibexes.
But they are true goats.
Their coats are mostly brown with some black markings, and lighter brown for the most part. they are well adapted to the drier climates of the Eastern Mediterranean, where they are found.
They are excellent climbers.
Barbary
These goats are found across Pakistan and some parts of India, and are quite small in stature, weighing around 80 pounds at maximum.
They are bred as dual-purpose goats, for both meat and milk, though they are also inquisitive and friendly, making them great pets.
They have short hair, mostly brown though sometimes white with brown spots.
Nigerian dwarf
Another of the most popular pet breeds across the world, the Nigieran dwarf isn’t quite as small as the pygmy, but it is just as friendly.
They are usually brown spotted with black, and originating not actually in Nigeria but rather West Africa.
They are usually kept either as pets or for their milk, and make great companions for you.
Their coats are soft and can come in a variety of patterns.
One thing is for sure, then: if you’re in the market for a brown goat, you are not short of choice.
There are many options to choose from, and whatever your individual needs, someone in the goat kingdom will be ready to fulfil those needs.
From the largest and oldest breeds of the world to the newest and smallest, there is something out there for everyone.