Anyone have Alpines?

[farm mom]

Likes/Dislikes? Temperment? Milking ability? Still searching for what breed I really want to concentrate on. I have a 3/4 Nubian, Saanen, and La Mancha now. Not interested in Toggenburg. Haven't experienced Alpines. We are mainly looking for milk to use and sell but would like to just one breed so I don't have to have multiple bucks, etc...

[dkdairygoats]

I have 11 alpines. I chose them mainly because they are very available in this area but also I like that they are all different colors. They range personality-wise...mostly on the dominant side but very sweet. They are excellent milkers, like all goats you have good and bad within the breed but mine usually average at least 8-10lbs/day. I can't say as there is anything I don't like about them.

[jBlaze]

In my experience, Alpines tend to be more assertive than other breeds. Some like that, others find it a challenge. Of course, as said, all goats are different even with in a breed.
Nubians, sweet, needy, loud, less 'bright.' (my least fav, even if they are pretty, lol)
Saanens, calm, mild, even temperment, some can be boring.
Lamanchas, intelegent, calm, sweet. mot boring like saanen, but not into trouble like alpine.(my fav.)
Alpines, intelegent, independant, assertive, can be entertaining.
These are the ones I have most experience with. I have heard good things about Obers and Nigies.
Glad to see that you are doing research before buying the cutest goats.
How many goats are you looking to keep? If you are not going to have many, then breed may be less important than the characteristics of individual animals. ie, if you only have a few, who cares what breed, as long as you like them. And what would your kid market be, as milkers, breeding stock, or dinner. See what is in demand in your area, if you breed to boer buck, then dinner is marketable and you don't have to worry about different bucks. (but find a boy without a huge head if you do this.)
hth

[farm mom]

Right now my very favorite in my herd is the La Mancha. Extraordinarily sweet, very smart, quiet, respectful, easy to work with. I am thinking that is the breed I am going to go with but just wanted to be sure. I do like our Nubian/Saanen cross. Not real sure about the Saanen yet. She is mild and quiet, not much personality but I'm expecting nice amounts of milk from her as she comes from good lines. We can only have nine goats milking in the state of Oregon if we want to sell raw milk. That would probably be our limit for now, plus a nice buck and a wether to keep him company.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Our one Alpine is the herd queen, but she's also the one who leans against you and goes to sleep. Loving, but bossy.:baby04:

[dkdairygoats]

I have heard many good things about LaManchas, but I (personally) hate their ears, or lack of them. If you are not going to register and sell the kids for show/breeding, purebreds will not sell any better than crosses. At least in my experience.

[ozark_jewels]

If you like the Lamancha you have, I'd say stick with that breed. Lamanchas really are very nice. If I was to have one breed it would be the Lamancha. If you have a mixed herd, the Alpine/s will be the boss. I am not a big fan of the Alpine temperment. My sister loves them.

[farm mom]

That was my only concern with the La Mancha's, people not liking the lack of ears. I'm wondering if I would be able to sell the babies or if most people are put off by no ears? Hmm...Nubians are probably the most popular breed in my area. Which is good but it means there are a lot of them. I know when I wanted my La Mancha I had a hard time finding one in my area. There are not many people who have them which can be good or bad.

[ozark_jewels]

I do not have trouble selling my Lamanchas. I sell healthy milk stock and don't ask a fortune for them. No one cares about the ears, they want a healthy goat that milks and has a good attitude=Lamanchas.
I have demands for both the Lamanchas and Nubians. When I had Alpines and Saanens, I didn't have quite the demand for them. That varies by location.