Damascus Goat

Looks how to spot one

long hair

The Damascus goat has a long, mostly reddish-brown coat, though white spots on the body, legs and face are occasionally seen, and a black coat is very rare. The head is long with a distinctive convex profile, often called a Roman nose, and the ears are very long and pendulous, hanging straight down past the jawline. Many individuals have small skin tassels called wattles on the throat.25

Personality what they are like

Damascus goats are known for being calm, docile and cooperative. They are highly social animals that thrive on interaction with both humans and other livestock, which makes them straightforward to handle and well suited to close management such as twice-daily milking. Keepers consistently describe them as people oriented, though an intact buck in rut may behave differently from a doe or wether.24

Daily activity how busy a day looks

These goats need a spacious, secure outdoor area with sturdy fencing at least 4-5 feet high, as they are good climbers and jumpers. They benefit from pasture or forage access and regular exercise to stay healthy.3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Regular grooming includes brushing the coat to keep it clean and free of tangles, trimming hooves as needed, and checking for signs of illness or injury. Their living area must be cleaned frequently to prevent disease and parasites, with bedding replaced regularly and floors disinfected.63

Home where they are happiest

Damascus goats need a dry, draft-free shelter with clean bedding and non-slip flooring such as concrete, gravel or packed earth. The shelter should be well ventilated and provide at least 10-15 square feet per animal indoors, with 20-30 square feet in an outdoor play area. Fencing must be at least 4-5 feet high and secure against escape.32

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A balanced diet consists of good quality hay, pasture grasses, grains, and commercial goat feed. They need constant clean water and free-choice minerals formulated for goats or cattle (not low-copper sheep minerals). Adequate greens support milk production in lactating does. Avoid overfeeding or underfeeding to prevent obesity or malnutrition.236

Company who they like around

Damascus goats are highly social and thrive on interaction with humans and other livestock. They should not be kept alone; companionship from other goats or compatible animals is important for their wellbeing.42

The story where it all began

The Damascus goat is a traditional Middle Eastern dairy breed named after the city of Damascus in Syria. It has been known for centuries in the region of Greater Syria and is also called Aleppo, Halep, Shami or Baladi. Around the 1930s, it was imported to Cyprus to improve the local goat population, and over the following decades it was selectively bred for higher milk and meat production. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has given it high priority for conservation due to its productivity. Today it is found in many countries across the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and even in Bolivia and Malawi.172

Recognised by the official bits

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

High priority breed for conservation due to its high milk and meat yield1