The Anglo-Nubian is a large, elegant dairy goat instantly recognized by its long pendulous ears and convex 'Roman nose,' developed in England from native British does crossed with lop-eared goats from Africa and India. It produces lower volumes of very high-butterfat milk and is well suited to warm climates.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
Pair + browse + climbing
2+ goats / 0.25 ac dry-lot + 3-sided shed + 5 ft fence
Goats are herd browsers — keep at least two, with climbing rocks/stumps, browse plants, mineral block (Cu/Se per region), and a clean dry shelter. Nubian (Anglo-Nubian) is a vocal long-eared dairy breed with rich high-butterfat milk.
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Recommended
Rotational paddock + barn
0.5 ac per goat + barn + buck pen + rotation
Rotational paddocks reduce parasite load; barn for milking + kidding; bucks penned separately from does to control breeding.
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Ideal
Pasture + browse + working dairy
1+ ac per goat + barn + milking parlor
Managed pasture + browse variety, twice-daily milking schedule, hoof + parasite + vet care. Nubian (Anglo-Nubian) is a vocal long-eared dairy breed with rich high-butterfat milk.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
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Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Provide a roomy, well-ventilated, draft-free shelter with dry bedding and a secure pasture or browse yard. Use sturdy 4-5 ft woven-wire fencing; Nubians are large and vocal and will lean on weak fences. Their tropical heritage gives good heat tolerance, but they still need shade and shelter. Offer raised platforms and browse. House in groups of two or more — they are strongly herd-bound and famously loud when lonely.
Diet
Forage-based: free-choice grass/legume hay and browse, with grain supplemented on the milk stand for lactating does and growing kids. Provide loose goat minerals with adequate copper and selenium (never sheep minerals), salt, fresh water, and free-choice baking soda. Introduce feed changes gradually to avoid bloat and acidosis; manage grain carefully in males to prevent urinary calculi.
Behavior & temperament
Affectionate, people-oriented, intelligent, and notoriously the most vocal of dairy breeds — they 'talk' loudly and often, which may not suit close neighbors. Purpose is dual-leaning dairy: they give less milk by volume than Saanens or Alpines but with high butterfat (~4-5%), making excellent cheese, soap, and table milk; they also carry more body and are used as a meat/dual-purpose goat. Can breed year-round (less seasonal than Swiss breeds). Gentle and good with handlers and children.
Health
Hardy overall. Subject to the usual goat concerns: copper and selenium deficiency, internal parasites (FAMACHA monitoring), coccidiosis in kids, hoof scald/rot, and the herd diseases CAE, CL, and Johne's (buy tested). Their long, low-hanging ears need checking for ear mites, debris, frostbite tips in cold climates, and injury. The pendulous ear and Roman nose are breed standard, not a welfare defect, but kids occasionally need help nursing around the long ears.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Trim hooves every 6-8 weeks and check those long ears regularly for mites and dirt. Expect — and budget patience for — a lot of vocalizing. Buy from CAE/CL/Johne's-tested stock and disbud kids early if you want hornless goats. A DIY milk stand makes milking and hoof care easy on a large goat. Provide year-round loose minerals with copper. Their heat tolerance makes them a strong dairy choice for hot, humid regions where Swiss breeds struggle.