The origins of the breed are uncertain but certainly have Maltese, Syrian and other influences behind them. On the island of Guernsey there have always been golden goats as well as a golden cow and a golden donkey (now extinct). The fact that we have these goats today is due to the dedication and perseverance of Miss Miriam Milbourne who saved what stock she could during the German occupation of Guernsey during and after the second world war.

It was from this small group that all Golden Guernseys today descend. To increase milk production a large black and white British Alpine type male was purchased for the sum of £10. This was §§35+Malpas Manager HB20106 and a grandson of the world record holder Malpas Melba. This was also a deliberate move to strengthen the gold colour.

To improve butterfats a golden/ginger coloured Anglo Nubian male named Frisky Lad was used.
From this point on, Miss Milbourne concentrated on the getting the golden colour to breed true.
Still today we have kids born with floppy ears, possibly a throwback to the Anglo Nubian influence, and
very occasionally we get a black kid, again the influence of Malpas Manager.

The ideal Golden Guernsey should be as follows:

Head
              Ears erect and pointing forwards with a slight upturn at the tip.

              Facial line straight or slightly dished.

              No tassels.

Colour

              Coat and skin, all shades of gold, with or without small white markings but no swiss markings.

              Hair, long or short.
 

Conformation

             Strong but fine boned.

             Generally smaller and less wedge shaped than the other breeds.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Home

History

Goats

Email

Links