A Swiss dairy breed prized for its striking chamoisee (bay-red with black trim) coat, the Oberhasli is alert, hardy and a reliable milker. It is comparatively rare and valued for its calm, biddable nature.
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Does ~71 cm (28 in) and ~54 kg (120 lb); bucks ~76 cm (30 in) and ~68 kg (150 lb). A medium, refined dairy goat in the rich red-brown 'chamoisee' color with bla
Lifespan
8–12 years
Social needs
group
Native region
Switzerland
Family
Bovidae
Genus
Capra
Part of the Goat breeds
Recognized goat breeds — selectively bred for type, purpose, and appearance.
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. Oberhasli is a Swiss dairy breed — friendly, alert, and reliable milkers.
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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. Oberhasli is a Swiss dairy breed — friendly, alert, and reliable milkers.
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.
Pasture and browse with a dry, draft-free, ventilated shelter (~15-20 sq ft bedded space per goat) and secure 4-5 ft fencing. As an alpine breed it handles cold and rugged terrain well and is a capable climber; provide shade and ventilation in hot, humid climates and keep footing dry.
Diet
Quality pasture/browse plus free-choice grass-legume hay, with a dairy grain ration for milkers scaled to yield. Free-choice loose minerals (copper/selenium per soil), salt, and clean water always available. Introduce dietary changes gradually to prevent rumen upset.
Behavior & temperament
Dairy breed. Active, alert and intelligent but generally gentle, quiet and people-friendly; bucks are noted for a relatively mild temperament. Sure-footed and good foragers. Produces a sweet-flavored milk of moderate fat, suitable for drinking and cheese.
Health
Robust alpine constitution. Watch standard goat issues: internal parasites (FAMACHA monitoring), coccidiosis in kids, CAE/CL/Johne's (test stock), foot rot in wet conditions, and mastitis. Routine hoof trimming, fecal-guided deworming and CDT vaccination recommended.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Breed standard calls for the chamoisee color with specific black points (face stripes, dorsal stripe, belly, legs); off-color animals occur but are less typical of the standard. Their strong climbing instinct demands escape-proof fencing and no climbable objects near fence lines. A good choice where a calm, hardy, attractive dairy goat is wanted.