The Russian White goat is a dairy goat breed form Russia. It is also known by some other names such as Russian Dairy, Russian White Dairy, Improved Northern Russian and Russkaya belaya (Russian).
The Russian White goat is derived from the selective breeding of Saanen goat and Toggenburg goats imported from Switzerland, crossed with various native goat breeds of the former USSR.
Saanen and Toggenburg goats undoubtedly contributed much to the formation of many popular dairy goats which are specialized in milk production. And the Russian White goat is one of these dairy goat breeds.
People have been raising dairy goats for centuries in both European and Asian parts of the USSR. And different groups of goats have formed under the influence of various management and feeding methods, and on the basis of different origins.
But the dairy goats in central and northwestern Russia have strong, dry constitution and a harmonious conformation characteristics of the milk type.
Currently the Russian White goat is typically found in Leningrad, Gorki, Moscow and Yaroslavl regions in Russia. And the breed is mainly kept for milk production. Read more information about this breed below.
Russian White Goat Characteristics
Russian White goat is medium sized goat with a light and narrow head. They have similarities with the Saanen goat in appearance. They have long and straight neck and the sacrum wide.
The udders of the Russian White does is big and smooth, quarters are proportionally developed and their teats are wide-set. Legs and the skeleton of the Russian White goat are strong.
The positions of the front and hind limbs is regular. Their coat is usually white in color and is composed of coarse short, or occasionally long hair. Both bucks and does may be horned or hornless.
On average, the Russian White bucks weight about 60-75 kg, and the does on average weight about 50-60 kg. Photo from America Pink and info from Breeds of Livestock, Department of Animal Science (Oklahoma State University).
Uses
The Russian White goat is a dairy goat breed. And they are mainly used for milk production.
Special Considerations
Russian White goats are strong and very hardy. They have a strong and dry constitution which allow them to adapt to several climates. They are highly prolific and some does give birth of kids twice a year (cases have been recorded of up to six normal kids at one kidding).
The does are good milk producers. On average, a doe can produce about 550 kg of milk per lactation, some produce more. Milk of this breed has 4.2 to 5.3 percent of fat content. Review full breed profile of this breed in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Russian White |
| Other Names | Also known by some other names such as Russian Dairy, Russian White Dairy, Improved Northern Russian and Russkaya belaya (Russian). |
| Breed Purpose | Milk |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Buck | About 60-75 kg |
| Doe | About 50-60 kg |
| Horns | May be horned or hornless |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
| Coat Color | White |
| Good for Stall Fed | No |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | Russia |
