What goat breed should we get?

I would say Nigerian Dwarf. They have great personalities. They are smaller great for children. I had a gal lease one fo my ND this past year for the 4H fair and she always had nubians or alpines. She fell in love with the Nd said they were so much different then the bigger breeds and well wound up buying the goats she leases for the 4h fair from me. They are so comical to watch when they are playing.

Breed choice is a very personal thing. Some people love the droopy ears and roman nose of the Nubians. Some like the gracefulness and quietness of the Obers, size of the Nigerians, sweetness of the La Manchas and Saanens etc.

Some of the mixes really appeal to me. I would love to have mini-nubes, especially if the Nigerian cross brings the noise down a bit I LOVE our Nigerian but my fav is an ober/nubian cross.

Check out some books, go to a fair, google dairy breeds on the internet and see what appeals to you.

I do love my Nubians, but one of 'em (they're twins) IS noisy. But breed preference is a matter of personal choice. DO NOT BUY GOATS AT AN AUCTION. That's where culls and abused animals are disposed of. Take the time to find a reputable breeder near you. Visit their farm. Look at their set-up and their stock. Ask if they're TESTED CAE-free. Goats, like horses, seem to be born intent on committing suicide. You'll have enough management challenges without starting with junk.

I echo what CJB says- there are some nice mini-crossbreed does out there that produce a lot-

A Nigerian sire and a full dairy dam will give you a medium sized doe that is easy to keep and has a fair amount of milk for you. The dairy breed is up to you- if you choose one that has a milky mommy, you'll get what you need.

We had some LM/ND cross goats here for a while and they were good babies.

And if you get only a pair to begin with, then your children get bitten by the show bug, you'll be able to move into showing a little easier when they need a full sized registered dairy doe. Of course, some shows have a class called 'utility doe' which showcases nice does that produce well, but are not any decernable breed of goat.

I would suggest you look at the different dairy breeds, either in person or photos, and decide what appeals to you and your kids. We all have our favorites and what appeals to me may not appeal to you. The most important thing is to buy healthy, abcess free goats from a breeder who is willing to test them for CAE. Get the best goats you can afford. Lots of kids get involved in 4-H and move on to showing in ADGA shows. Good way to keep the kids interested.