Oberhasli Goat: A Calm Swiss Milk Breed

The Oberhasli is a medium-sized dairy goat from the Brienz region of the Swiss Alps, easy to spot by its rich red-bay coat with black face stripes, legs, and belly. Homesteaders keep it for a steady supply of sweet, low-odor milk and for a temperament that stays calm and manageable, even for beginners.

Is it right for you?

Good for a family homestead wanting fresh milk without a huge, pushy animal. It suits cold and temperate climates especially well, and it forgives a first-time goat keeper more than flightier breeds. You still need at least two goats, secure fencing, and daily milking time.

What you get

A healthy doe gives roughly half a gallon to a gallon of milk a day at peak, or about 1,500 to 2,000 pounds over a 10-month lactation. Butterfat runs around 3.5 to 3.9 percent, and the milk is notably sweet and mild rather than "goaty."

Space & Housing

Provide a dry, draft-free shelter, about 15 to 20 square feet of indoor space per goat, plus a fenced run or pasture. They are agile jumpers, so use 4-foot-plus woven-wire fencing.

Feeding & Daily Care

Base the diet on good hay or browse, with grain for milkers and free-choice minerals and clean water. Expect twice-daily milking during lactation and a modest feed bill that climbs when a doe is in full milk.

Temperament & Handling

Docile, quiet, and people-friendly. They rarely scream, lead easily, and bond with their keeper, which makes hoof trims and milking straightforward.

Health & Hardiness

Their alpine origin makes them cold-hardy; they cope less well with heavy heat and humidity, so provide shade. For vaccination, parasite, and health questions, work with reputable Oberhasli breeders and a livestock veterinarian.

Getting Started

Begin with two doelings or a doe and a wether from a registered breeder. Learn basic sexing and plan breeding for fresh milk each year.

Common Mistakes

Buying a single goat, underestimating fencing, and skimping on shade in hot climates.

FAQ

Are Oberhaslis loud?

No. They are among the quieter dairy breeds and rarely bawl without reason.

How much milk will one doe give?

Roughly half a gallon to a gallon daily at peak, tapering across the lactation.