Golden Guernsey

Golden-coloured goats have been known in Guernsey for some two hundred years;^[5]: 381 the first documented reference is in a guide book published in 1826.^[3] In the nineteenth century these goats were known as "Golden Gessenay", Gessenay being the French name for the Swiss Saanen breed.^[5]: 381

Much of the development of the breed is attributed to Miriam Milbourne, who started a herd at L'Ancresse in 1937 and was able to maintain it through the German occupation of the Channel Islands during the Second World War.^[6][7] From 1922 the goats were registered in the general herd-book of the Guernsey Goat Society; a separate register in the herd-book was created for them in 1965.^[6]

From 1967 a small number were exported to England, where they were cross-bred with British goats to form the British Guernsey.^{[5]: 381 [6]}

The Golden Guernsey is an endangered breed: it was listed by the FAO as "endangered-maintained" in 2007.^[1]: 120 In 2019 the population numbers reported to DAD-IS were 1381 for the Golden Guernsey and 171 for the British Guernsey; both were listed as "at risk".^[2][8] In 2020 the Golden Guernsey was listed as "minority" on the goat watchlist of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.^[3]

On 16 July 2024, the breed was granted a Royal title by King Charles III, becoming formally known as the 'Royal Golden Guernsey Goat'.^[9]

As its name suggests, the goat is golden in colour, with hues ranging from pale blond to deep bronze. They are smaller and more fine-boned than other British milking goats, and there is great variety in coat length.^[10] The males are usually horned, with very splendid horns, very few do not have horns.^[11] The goats are easy to handle.^[12]

At the time of their elevation to a royal title, Christopher Price, the chief executive of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, noted that the goat breed contributes to environmental benefits because they are fussy eaters while they graze.^[13]