As the name implies, then, pygmy goats are very small compared to most breeds.
They both stand shorter and weigh less, and so have been favored overwhelmingly as pets over the years, even being sold to zoos and research facilities.
They are not quite the smallest breed, though, although there isn’t much in it, but I’ll get to that a bit later.
Firstly, let’s take a detailed look at the size variation of pygmy goats.
| Breed | Weight | Height |
| Pygmy | 190-300 lbs. | 20-25 in. |
| Alpine | 135-150 lbs. | 25-30 in. |
| Nigerian dwarf | 75-95 lbs. | 17-20 in. |
| Fainting | 60-175 lbs. | 19-25 in. |
How tall do pygmy goats get?
Pygmy goats are generally considered a fascination because of their size.
They were originally taken from west Africa to Europe in the 19th Century by the British where they were an instant fascination.
The height, in particular, is what captured peoples’ hearts.
The tallest buck pygmy goat will stand, at most, 23 inches tall.
On average, they’re likely to sit somewhere closer to 19-20 inches tall.
For the average sized person, they would just about reach your knees.
Does are usually shorter, as is almost always the case with goats of any breed.
Does can be as short as 16 inches when fully grown, and have an effective maximum height of around 22 inches.
So, certainly among the shortest of all goat breeds.
But are they, in fact, the shortest?
How big are pygmy goats compared to Alpine goats?
The Alpine goat is a more average sized goat which will help put into perspective the stature of a pygmy goat.
Alpine goats, not especially large as goats go, usually weigh around 135-150 pounds, and stand on average around 30 inches tall at the shoulder.
Pygmies could be less than half the size and weight of this, easily.
When it comes to even larger, and very commonly raised goats like the Boer goat, you start to wonder how we even managed to breed pygmies.
How big are pygmy goats compared to Nigerian dwarf goats?
Nigerian dwarf goats are the number one contender, alongside pygmies, for the smallest goat breed anywhere in the world.
In comparing the two, there really is not much in it.
Buck Nigerian dwarf goats stand, at most, 20 inches tall, and usually fall somewhere around 18-19.
So, their average height is actually considerably shorter than pygmy goats.
We can quite confidently say, then, that pygmy goats are slightly larger than Nigerian dwarf goats.
The average weight of a Nigerian dwarf goat sits also in a similar spot, at around 75 pounds.
This is certainly in the higher end of the range for pygmies, the heaviest buck of which not usually weighing more than 80 pounds.
Nigerian dwarf goats have been used for meat for a long time, unlike pygmies, because of this extra weight in their hardier muscles.
How big are pygmy goats compared to fainting goats?
Another popular breed of diminutive goat is the fainting goat, of which there are several varieties.
In general, fainting goats are quite a lot larger than pygmies.
It again puts into perspective just how small pygmies are that they are so much smaller than an already diminutive breed.
Fainting goat bucks can weigh upwards of 150 pounds, while does can weigh as little as 60.
So while there is a lot of potential variation, does and bucks usually weigh at least 100 pounds.
This is 20 pounds higher than the heaviest pygmy buck.
This is the striking thing about fainting goats, they are so heavily muscled that, even in a relatively short body, they are incredibly stocky and heavy.
What is the smallest goat breed?
So, who exactly is the smallest goat?
As I’ve said, there isn’t a great deal in it, but it seems like the Nigerian dwarf goat has a bit of an edge over the rest of the small goat breeds.
They’re likely to be quite a lot shorter than many pygmy goats, although they may weigh more.
Most people, when it comes to pets, are more interested in height than weight.
Goats can be deceptively heavy, so it is their short stature which makes them attractive.
If you want the shortest goat around, go for a Nigerian dwarf goat.
If you want a goat that’s slightly taller but doesn’t weigh quite as much, a pygmy might be the one for you.
Still, though, as I said, there’s really not a lot in it.
So, to wrap up, pygmy goats are exactly how you would imagine them from their name.
Their far smaller than most typical breeds, and the smallest among them are barely the size of a small dog.
It is no surprise that they’ve become as popular as they are as pets, and if you’re looking for a little goat friend, a pygmy is definitely a good choice for you.