ANGBA

American Nigora Goat Breeders AssociationAmerican Nigora Breed Standard

Introduction, General Description, Conformation, and Characteristics of the American Nigora Goat:

The American Nigora was specifically developed as a mid-sized, dual-purpose breed. Its conformation, traits, and style must mirror those of a healthy, well-proportioned goat capable of both milk production and yielding luxury fleece. The Nigora should showcase a rectangular build, refinement, bone structure, substance, and angularity akin to a well-formed miniature dairy goat. Fleece amount and coverage will vary based on Nigora lineage and fleece type.

Purpose:

The Nigora serves as an ideal breed for micro-eco niche businesses, urban goat keeping, small homesteading, and personal family use. They also make excellent pets. Nigoras, typically amicable and of smaller size, are particularly manageable for children and seniors.

Predominant Bloodlines:

The breed originates from Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats crossed with recognized Angora goat breeds (e.g., Commercial White, Colored Angora, or Navajo/Heritage Angora). The inclusion of Swiss-type Dairy Breeds (e.g., Alpine, Saanen, Sable, Oberhasli, or Toggenburg) and also Golden Guernsey or Pygmy is permissible during the Nigora's recording phase between F1 and F5 generations. However, efforts should be made to decrease the percentage of other allowable breeds to negligible levels by the Nigora's F6 generation and legitimate registry. ANGBA categorizes Grade and Breeding Stock, requiring all goats seeking registration to meet minimal ANGBA standards for breed type and be free of disqualifiable faults or traits. In order to be recorded, Nigoras must be at least 25% each of Nigerian Dwarf and Angora and, during the recording phase, may be a maximum of 25% "other approved breeds."

ANGBA Working Standard:

Height:

The recommended height range for Nigoras is between 19 inches as a minimum and 29 inches as a maximum. However, goats that fall slightly above or below this range will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis if they meet the breed standard. In show competitions, goats with a fractional deviation from the ideal height of 19 to 29 inches will incur a minor fault. Goats that exceed or fall short of this range by more than 1 inch will result in disqualification.

Head:

The ideal Nigora head is characterized by a blunt triangle shape, broad at the rear of the skull and gradually tapering to a medium to medium-short foreface. It should possess a broad muzzle with full nostrils, a straight, strong jaw, and a clean-cut, smooth throatlatch. The Nigora face should exhibit a straight to slightly dished profile, never displaying a convex or roman nose. Nigoras may have horns, be naturally polled, or have been disbudded.

Teeth:

The teeth of the Nigora should align flush with the dental pad. When observed from the side, both the upper and lower biting structures should be symmetrical, neither over nor undershot. Excluding aged seniors, goats should display a complete set of teeth that are closely spaced and well-set in the gums.

Eyes:

The eyes of the Nigora should be bright and alert, and of sufficient size to convey good expression. They may exhibit any color, but should not appear pig-eyed, bulging, or squinting.

Ears:

The ears should be of medium size, fitting nicely in proportion to the goat. The carriage may resemble either Nigerian or Angora types, i.e., erect or drooping (but not pendulous) or somewhere in between (aka "airplane" ears). Both ears should match in adult animals. On adult drop-eared goats, the ears should ideally fall to the level of the corner of the mouth, not past the jawline when at rest. Ears longer than this will be faulted by degree of severity, from minor to disqualified.

Neck:

The neck should be long, refined, clean-cut, and seamlessly blend into all body junctures. This characteristic should be more refined and graceful in does, while in adult bucks, it should be heavier, displaying distinct musculature, arch, and masculinity.

Body:

Skin:

The skin should be well-fitted, pliable, clean, and smooth.

Frame:

The frame should be rectangular in build, taller at the withers than at the hips, and smoothly blended throughout to convey strength, balance, health, and vigor. It possesses a moderate to fine yet strong bone structure.

Front end:

The front end should feature arched, prominent, wedge-shaped shoulders closely connected to the withers, with the dorsal area slightly rising above the shoulder blades. The shoulder blade, point of shoulder, and point of elbow should snugly fit against the chest wall. Furthermore, the crop should be full, displaying moderate extension and brisket development.

Back end- topline, rump, and tail:

The back end—topline, rump, and tail—should display strength and straightness with well-defined structures. There should be a gentle slope downward from the withers, with a level chine, and a straight, wide loin. The rump should be robust, wide, long, and nearly level to slightly sloping. It should slightly drop from the hips to the pins, appearing wide and nearly flat around the "thurl area" or hip joint. Pin bones and hip bones should be wide apart and well defined. The hips should be nearly level with the back. The tail head should be smoothly set slightly above the pin bones, and the tail itself should appear straight—neither broken nor set awry.

Angularity:

The correct Nigora should be lean and free of excess fleshing. The depth and width should increase from heart girth to rear.

Ribs, Thighs, and Flanks:

Ribs should be long, flat, flinty, and widely spaced, with well-sprung fore ribs and lower ribs angled toward the flank. Thighs, when viewed from the side, should show moderate incurvature from the pin bone to the stifle. When observed from the rear, they should be clean and wide apart, highly arched, and curve outward into the escutcheon. The flank should be well-defined, deep, yet arched, and devoid of excess tissue.

Chest and Heart Girth:

Characterized by depth and width, featuring well-sprung fore ribs and fullness at the point of the elbow.

Barrel:

Well-supported, deep, wide, and elongated with well-sprung ribs, showing increased depth and width toward the rear as maturity develops.

Forelegs:

The legs must be straight, robust, well-muscled, and in proportion to the frame. Shoulders, knees, and pasterns should possess correct angles and strength. The movement of the forequarters should be free and accurate.

Hindlegs:

The rear legs need to be strong, well-muscled, and proportionate to the frame. Hips, hocks, and pasterns should have correct angles and strength. Movement in the hindquarters should be free and accurate.

Feet:

Hooves must be sturdy, broad, well-formed, and in proportion to the frame. The division between digits should be sufficient, and both sides of each hoof should exhibit symmetry.

Reproductive System–Does:

Fore Udder:

Wide, extending fully to the sides, with moderate forward extension, devoid of non-lactating tissue, and blending smoothly into the barrel.

Rear Udder:

Spacious and elevated, forming a wide arch into the escutcheon; consistently wide and deep, moderately curved in profile without protruding beyond the vulva, and seamlessly merging into the escutcheon.

Teats:

Consistent in size, of medium length and diameter, proportional to udder size, cylindrical in shape, ideally straight when viewed from the side or rear. Positioned outward of center on the floor of each udder half, with an orifice size facilitating ease of milking.

Reproductive System–Bucks:

Two testicles should be present, smooth, symmetrical, and appropriately sized for their age. If there is any division in the scrotum (referred to as a split scrotum), it should not extend more than one-third of the total scrotal length. Additionally, two undeveloped teats should be present, and the sheath should be normally developed corresponding to the age of the buck.

Fleece:

There are three primary fleece types:

• Type "A" is a long fiber that averages 6+ inches in length. It hangs in long lustrous ringlets or sometimes flat wavy locks. It may be a single coat without guard hair present, but a fine silky guard hair might be present. The fiber is akin to very fine mohair, and the handle should feel cool and silky smooth to the touch.
• Type "B" is a blend of fibers that contain the characteristics of both Type "A" (mohair type) and Type "C" (cashmere type) fleece. Type "B" is usually softly curly and between 3 to 6 inches in length on average. There is obvious guard hair, though it may be finer than that found on Type "C" goats. A second silky guard hair might also be present. The fleece should exhibit luster, and the handle should be fluffy, soft, and lofty. The fleece on Type "B" goats is usually lighter in color than the hair coat, on average.
• Type "C" is a very fine fiber and can be acceptable as commercial cashmere. It is usually between 1 to 3 inches long but must be no less than 1 inch minimum. Type "C" has a matte finish (without luster) and a warm, creamy, suede-like handle. It must show some crimp. There is a definite separation between the coarse guard hairs and fleece. Similar to Type "B," the fleece color is usually lighter than the guard hair color.

Color and Markings:

Nigoras may be any color and pattern.

Temperament:

In general, a Nigora should possess a calm, naturally amiable, and laid-back disposition. It should not display aggression or excessive fearfulness when adequately socialized.

This revised Breed Standard encompasses the desired traits and characteristics of the American Nigora Goat as per the ANGBA guidelines and revisions made to ensure the breed's preservation and enhancement while maintaining breed purity.

List of Known "Alternate Fiber Breeds" (Angora Based) That, When Crossed With Nigerian Dwarf or Swiss Type Mini Dairy Goats, May Produce "Grade Nigora" Eligible Offspring:

• PBA Pygora© (Foundation breeds: Registered NPGA Pygmy x AAGBA Angora only)
• Capora (aka PCA Goat) (Foundation breeds: PBA Pygoras and their founding breeds (see above) x CAGBA Colored Angora)
• Cashgora (American or Australian Cashmere x Angora)
• Any Other Miniature Fleece Type Goats (as long as they do not have any traits disallowed by the ANGBA; see the Standard and Nigoras 101. This includes unregistered Pygmy/Angora crosses, which according to the PBA may not be called Pygoras© if they are NOT registered with them.)

Whenever possible, try to select Nigora breeding stock from allowed goat breeds and documented bloodlines. If certain breeds are unavailable in your area (i.e., Angoras) but you can obtain one of the approved alternatives (i.e., Caporas or Pygoras), then you may feel free to start with a Grade Nigora program using the guidelines provided. When choosing an alternate fiber breed, aim to acquire those that are mostly Angora in breeding, i.e., 3/4 Angora, and always choose goats with a body type closer to the Nigora standard.

Nigerian-Pygmy crosses (sometimes called "Pygerians") and mixed Swiss-type Mini Dairy goats (i.e., Mini Alpine x Mini Oberhasli) may also be used in a Grade Nigora breeding program.

NOTE: Once Nigoras reach a proliferation of F6 individuals, the registry will officially open. The Record will remain open to F1-F5 Nigoras. Once the registry opens, Nigoras from alternate fiber goat breeding will be categorized as "Experimental". Nigoras from unknown breeding that meet the standard will still be recorded as "NOA".

Disqualification From Recordation/Registration:

Any goat exhibiting severe, heritable conformational defects that would affect its ability to be a good breeding animal and any goats exhibiting Non-Nigora specific breed traits will be disqualified. Examples include:

• Excessive height over 29"
• Excessively meaty frame/bulky build or very heavy bone (e.g., Boer, Kiko, other meat breeds)
• Extremely stumpy legged with a barrel-shaped body
• Long pendulous Nubian-type ears
• Very tiny LaMancha type ears
• Myotonia/Fainting Fainting goat- Tennessee Wooden Leg goat, etc.
• Complete lack of fleece (also known as a "Slick")
• Excessively long straight silky coat of guard hair with or without discernible undercoat/cashmere (Mini Silky Fainting goat)
• Roman nosed (Nubian and/or Boer)

Severe Faults/Disqualifications:

• Deformed mouth
• Swayed back (not caused by old age)
• Roached back
• Spinal deformity
• Weak conformation; lacking depth, slab-sided, or narrow body type
• Serious emaciation; unthrifty constitution
• Blindness (not caused by injury)
• Permanent lameness; broken down pasterns, deformed and crooked feet and/or legs
• Blind (non-functioning) udder half
• Blind teat
• Double teat (bifurcal, or fused)
• Extra teat that interferes with milking (supernumerary); non-interfering extra teat
• Extra teat on buck (supernumerary)
• Double orifice on buck
• Crooked face (wry face)
• Active mastitis or any other cause of abnormal milk
• Evidence of hermaphroditism
• Evidence of any inability to reproduce
• Anything other than two normal, fully descended testicles in bucks
• More than a 3-inch split in the scrotum
• Permanent physical defect from birth
• Excessively Over height
• Excessive long coarse guard hair throughout, which may obscure fleece
• Long silky coat of straight hair, which may or may not obscure an undercoat of cashmere

Revisions of the Standard

The comprehensive Breed Standard for American Nigora Goats functions as a guiding framework for breeders, outlining the preferred physical traits and exclusions necessary to preserve the breed's authenticity and excellence. Originally established by the ANGBA founding members on July 3, 2009, it underwent revisions on November 13, 2013, and further refinements on December 3, 2023, to ensure its relevance while preserving its fundamental principles. Any alterations to the American Nigora Goat Breed Standard require approval from a designated special committee, consisting of no fewer than four ANGBA members in good standing.