Saanen goat

The Saanen originates in the historic region of Saanen (French: Comté de Gessenay) and in the neighbouring Simmental, both in the Bernese Oberland, in the southern part of the Canton of Bern, in western Switzerland.^[4]

It is reported from more than eighty countries.^[3] The total world population is reported to be over 900000 head.^[3] Of these, some 14000 are in Switzerland.^[5]: 404

It has since the nineteenth century been exported to many countries of the world, and has given rise to many local sub-breeds, often through cross-breeding with local goats. Among these local variants are the Banat White in Romania, the British Saanen, the French Saanen, the Israeli Saanen, the Russian White, the Weiße Deutsche Edelziege [de] in Germany, and the Yugoslav Saanen.^[5]: 404

A black variant, the Sable Saanen, was recognised as a breed in New Zealand in the 1980s.^[5]: 398

The Saanen is the largest breed of Swiss goat:^[5]: 404 billies stand about 90 cm (35 in) at the withers and weigh a minimum of 85 kg (190 lb).^[2] It has white skin and a short white coat; some small pigmented areas may be tolerated.^[2] It may be horned or hornless, and tassels may be present. The profile may be straight or somewhat concave; the ears are erect and point upwards and forwards.^[5]: 404

The Saanen is the most productive milk goat of Switzerland,^[5]: 404 which has the most productive milking goats in the world.^[5]: 345 Average milk yield is 838 kg in a lactation of 264 days.^[5]: 404 The milk should have a minimum of 3.2% milk-fat and 2.7% milk protein.^[2]

The Saanen is not well suited to extensive management, and is usually raised intensively. Being pale-skinned, it does not tolerate strong sun.^[5]: 404