Alpine (goat)
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Template:Unreferenced The Alpine goat is a dairy goat. There are three subsets to the breed:
French Alpines in America, are descended solely from the few goats that comprised the importation stock into the country.
Swiss Alpines are also known as Oberhaslis and are now a recognized breed in their own right. Before that time, a few dedicated breeders, including the late Esther Oman, preserved the breed, while the vast majority of them were integrated into the American Alpines.
American Alpines are more or less very similar to French Alpines. The difference is that somewhere in their lineage, there is at least one animal who cannot be traced to the original French Alpine stock, or which did not make the French Alpine breed standard. The majority of Alpines in America are the American type.
The Alpine breed standard specifies that the breed is large and big without being coarse, 'dairy' (the bone is refined and feminine without being frail), productive, comes in all colors except pure white, has erect ears and a face that is straight.
Alpines rival Saanen goats both in size and production. As a rule, the breed has low to moderate butterfat, about 3.5%. Both breeds are widely used in goat dairies. The Alpine is hardy in cold climates and is a tough, resilient breed that can produce well even when conditions are not ideal. The temperament is alert, intelligent, active, and strong willed.