Valais Blackneck Goat

Looks how to spot one

Long, shaggy, wavy hair

The coat is long and rough, with hair reaching 40 to 50 cm in length. A thick undercoat appears only in winter, and there is a heavy fringe on the forehead. The skin underneath is fine and often pale.14

Personality what they are like

Lively, spirited and feisty within the herd, but cautious and shy of strangers. They need enough space to establish a clear ranking order; crowded conditions can lead to stress and conflict. Behaviour varies with handling and whether the animal is a doe, wether or buck in rut.23

Daily activity how busy a day looks

This breed thrives on varied, well drained pasture and browse with plenty of space to roam. It is built for steep, rocky, high altitude terrain and needs room to climb and cover long distances. Confinement is poorly tolerated.23

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Regular brushing is essential to prevent matting and felting of the undercoat. If left too long, the coat may need to be sheared. Check frequently for burrs, external parasites and signs of poor body condition, which the heavy coat can hide. Dry bedding and dry footing are non-negotiable; wet ground harms both coat and feet.23

Home where they are happiest

A dry, draught-free shelter for harsh weather is essential. Fencing must be safe for horned animals: smooth rail, board or properly tensioned wire systems are recommended, as square mesh and stock netting can trap a horned head. The breed fares poorly in damp climates and hot, humid conditions make the long coat a heat and parasite liability.23

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Valais Blacknecks forage efficiently on rough pasture and browse, which is one of their strengths. Pregnant and lactating does and growing kids need extra energy and protein. Clean water and region-appropriate minerals must always be available. Goats have copper requirements that differ from sheep, so the two species should not be managed identically.2

Company who they like around

Goats are herd animals and should never be kept alone. The Valais Blackneck is a spirited breed that needs enough space to establish its social hierarchy. Lower-ranking animals must be able to get out of the way. Horns in both sexes mean that care is needed with fencing and feeding areas to prevent injury.23

The story where it all began

The Valais Blackneck is a traditional breed from the Swiss canton of Valais, where it has been kept for centuries in the high alpine valleys. A herd book was established in 1920. Historically it was a dual-purpose animal providing meat, milk and pelts for small-scale farmers. Today it is mainly kept by hobbyists for meat, kid rearing and conservation grazing on steep ground. The breed's distinctive black-and-white colouring has been fixed by a breed standard revised in 1938; before that, other colour varieties such as the brown Copperneck, white Capra Sempione and grey Grüenochte also existed within the historic Valais goat population.163

Recognised by the official bits

FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

Listed as at risk in Europe, critical in Italy, endangered-maintained in Switzerland1

DAD-IS (Domestic Animal Diversity Information System)

Listed as at risk/critical in Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland1