Dutch Landrace goat

The Dutch Landrace is a traditional Dutch breed of domestic goat. It has been known in the Netherlands since the seventeenth century,^[3]: 376 and was formerly numerous there. It came close to extinction in the 1950s, but was saved by cross-breeding with unrelated goats, and by 2020 numbered over 2000 head.^[2][4]

Dutch Landrace

Conservation status	FAO (2007): not at risk[1]: 82  DAD-IS (2020): at risk/endangered[2]
Other names	Dutch: Nederlandse Landgeit Dutch: Veluwse Geit
Country of origin	The Netherlands
Distribution	The Netherlands
Standard	Landelijke Fokkersclub Nederlandse Landgeiten (in Dutch)
Traits
Weight	Male: average 75 kg[2] Female: average 60 kg[2]
Height	Male: 79 cm[2] Female: 67 cm[2]
Coat	black blue brown grey white "wild-coloured"[3]: 376
Horn status	lyre-shaped, scimitar or twisted; may reach 100 cm in length[3]: 376
Beard	yes
Goat Capra aegagrus hircus

Nanny with kid

Coat colour and horn shape are variable

History

The Dutch Landrace has been known in the Netherlands since the seventeenth century,^[3]: 376 and was common until the early twentieth century, when Swiss Saanen and Toggenburg goats were imported in large numbers and cross-bred with local stock. By 1958 only one pair of the goats remained, and attempts to find others were unsuccessful. Because the descendants of these two goats were heavily inbred, the decision was taken to cross-breed them with a number of unrelated goats.^[4] Numbers grew, and by 2020 there were some 2000 nannies and 200 billies.^[5]

A breed association, the Landelijke Fokkersclub Nederlandse Landgeiten, was formed in 1982.^{[3]: 376 [6]: 137}

Characteristics

The Dutch Landrace is stocky and of medium size, with fairly short legs. It may be of any colour but may not display Swiss markings; it is commonly black, blue, brown, grey, white or "wild-coloured".^[3]: 376 The coat is usually long and rough, but may also be short.^[5] The horns are commonly lyre-shaped, scimitar-shaped or twisted, and may reach 100 cm in length.^[3]: 376