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A reddish-brown Oberhasli goat with black legs standing on straw.
Photo: Silverije, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Oberhasli Goat

Capra aegagrus hircus

A reddish-brown Swiss dairy goat breed with black markings, prized for its milk and its sturdy, fearless nature.

🐐 Farm Animals🦓 Hoofed Mammals
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About the Oberhasli Goat

Oberhasli goats come from the Canton of Berne in Switzerland. They are light tan to deep reddish brown with black "points," and they have upright ears and straight faces. Females stand at least 28 inches tall and weigh 120 pounds or more. An Oberhasli can make about 1,600 pounds of milk a year.[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name
Capra aegagrus hircus[1]
Size
Females at least 28 inches at the withers. Males about 30 inches.[1]
Weight
Females 120 pounds or more. Males 150 pounds or more.[1]
Lifespan
About 10 years.[1]
Diet
Herbivore. Hay, plants, grain and produce.[1]
Where it lives
Developed in Switzerland; now kept worldwide, though purebreds are uncommon.[1]
Babies
Pregnancy lasts 148 to 156 days. Twins or triplets.[1]

Fun facts

  • An Oberhasli goat can make about 1,600 pounds of milk in a year.[1]
  • The breed was called Swiss Alpine until 1977.[1]
  • Hikers who use pack goats often choose Oberhaslis.[1]

Vocabulary

domesticated
Tamed and raised by people over many generations.
breed
A group of domestic animals that people have raised to share certain traits.
points
Darker coloring on an animal's face, legs and tail.
purebred
An animal whose parents are both the same breed.
pack goat
A goat trained to carry gear on hikes.

See it in person

Sources

  1. [1] Zoo Atlanta. “Oberhasli Goat.” https://zooatlanta.org/animal/oberhasli-goat/ (accessed 2026-10-02)

Facts last checked 2026-10-02.

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