One of the most impressive things about many breeds of goat is their long horns.
Goats come in a huge variety today, from the biggest to the smallest, with the longest ears, the most milk, the highest meat yield, and of course the longest horns to the shortest horns.
Long horned goats are truly impressive beasts, so today, we’re going to look at some of the breeds of goat with the longest horns of any.
Some of the biggest horns in goat-adjacent animals are found in caprine animals like the ibex.
These, however, are not actually goats.
So, I won’t be looking at any of those today.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
Alpine
One of the most common varieties of goat in the world is the Alpine.
They have been bred countless times with other breeds all over the world, and have left their mark in so many different goat breeds.
They have relatively long horns, too, that curve backwards from their head.
They can vary a lot dependin on the particular type of Alpine goat, as some have horns that curve straight back, and others that curve more sideways.
Either way, they are a great option for a long-horned goat to add to your life.
Verata
Verata goats are almost like the ibex that we mentioned earlier, except are true goats.
Their horns are truly impressive, and not only are they very long, but they curve round on themselves like a mobius strip.
They are truly beautiful animals.
They are found mostly in Vera, in Spain, and are mostly raised as dairy goats.
Their cheese in particular is highly favored throughout that region of Spain.
Their hair is usually black but can also be gray, and though it is short it shines vibrantly.
Spanish
Another Spanish breed, as the name implies, this goat looks a bit more like a sheep than most other breeds.
They moved to the United States via Mexico, and are now found all over the country.
They are favored in the southern U.S. as they are well adapted to very hot climates.
Their horns are curved and, though not the longest on this list, are nonetheless impressively long.
They come in a variety of colors and patterns.
Their woolly fleeces look more like what you would find on a sheep, as I said.
Saanen
Moving further north now to the Swiss valleys, the Saanen is another breed with impressively long horns.
They are usually cream and white in color, though they can have dark accents which give their hair unique, natural highlights.
They are another breed with curved horns, that jut backwards and sideways from their heads.
They are another sight to behold, and a great option for your homestead.
They are very popular and common, so should be easy to get hold of.
Oberhasli
The Oberhasli actually originates in the United States, though they get their name from the Swiss breed they are descended from.
Their coats range from shiny brown to darker black, and they have upright, pointy ears.
They are friendly and love people, making them great companion pets.
Their horns are long and thick, again curving back and sideways from their heads.
They are mostly bred as dairy goats, though they do provide good meat, too.
Being mountain goats, they also love to jump and climb.
Kalahari red
Kalaharis are a large descendent of the Boer goat, so it can sometimes be difficult to tell just how large their horns are relative to their body.
However, once they grow to full size, they have impressively large horns for any size.
They are bulky goats, typically bred for meat production.
They are a bit more standoffish than other breeds, but if you are looking for a goat companion without the same need for attention, then the Kalahari could be the right one for you.
They even have great, full beards.
Rangeland
Some of the longest horns we will find on modern goat breeds are on the rangeland goats.
They have horns that would give an ibex a run for its money.
They are thick at the base and taper off to a point.
They come in black, brown and white shades, and can have some markings on their bodies.
They are very hardy and low maintenance, needing virtually no grooming.
Angora
Another sheep like goat, the Angora might be the most strange looking of all goats.
They have extremely valuable fiber hair, curly and durable while also soft and luxurious.
Their horns are long, too, curving out and upwards from their heads.
They are really beautiful goats, and though they can be quite expensive due to demand, they are great companions if you can find them.
| Related Article |
|---|
Pygmy
Finally, we have the pygmy goat.
Though their horns aren’t as long as other breeds, relative to the size of their bodies, pygmies do actually have quite large horns.
The best thing about pygmies, no doubt, is their short size.
This has made them favored as goat pets across the world.
But you don’t miss out on horn size by going for this smaller breed!
Goats have horns for many reasons, and though we might want them to use them as little possible in a domestic setting, that doesn’t mean we can’t still appreciate their beauty!
Long horned goats are some of the most magical and enchanting in appearance of any goat, and their beauty is stunning.
If you’re looking to add a long-horned goat to your homestead, any of these could be a great option for you.