THE RED BOER GOAT
BREED STANDARDS
These standards are the current accepted Australian Standard, they are the same as the Standard Boer with the appropriate amendments made in respect to colour, these will be recognised by our association, these standards set down the appropriate guidelines to encourage the breeding of the Red Boer to have increased economic value to our Commercial and Stud producers. We will always value productive traits such as conformation, good structure and mobility over aesthetic traits.
Genetics:
Red Boer Registration: All animals must be coloured Red and of Fullblood Red Boer, Kalahari or Fullblood Standard Boer genetics for registration in this category or a combination of both.
Please note: As of the 1st. April 2019 the Kalahari goat registry will no longer exist, all Red Boers will be registered as – The Red Boer.
Neck and Forequarters:
A neck of moderate length in proportion to the length of the body.
In Does, the neck should come out and deep from the chest, blending smoothly with the shoulders, be wide in its attachment and rising gracefully to the throat latch, showing refinement in the female.
In Bucks, the neck should be thicker and show skin folds as a sign of masculinity. The chest should be broad with a deep brisket. The shoulder should be well muscled in proportion to the body, and be well fitted to the wither.
The wither should also be broad and well fitted ( not sharp).
Characteristic faults:
Very long, thin or short necks in proportion to the body or too loose a shoulder.
Head:
A strong broad head, showing character and a quiet disposition. Large brown almond shaped hooded eyes. A strong curved Roman nose with flared and wide nostrils, the tip of the nose to be in line with the lower lip and chin.
A strong curved lower jaw rising to meet the upper jaw.
Up to 6 tooth must show a 100% fit and at 8 tooth, may show a 6mm. protrusion, permanent teeth must be cut in the correct anatomical position.
A prominently curved forehead, linking up with the curve of the nose and horns.
Horns should be strong, round, solid and show good dark colour, be of moderate length and placed moderately apart with a gradual backward sloping curve.
Ears should be of good length, broad and smooth, set in line with the eye and must hang downwards from the head.
Characteristic faults:
Concave forehead
Straight, flat or wild upright horns
Pointed jaw
Ears folded lengthwise
Stiff protruding ears or excessively short ears
Overshot or undershot jaw.
Barrel:
The barrel should be long, broad and deep.
The ribs must be well sprung and the loins well muscled, the goat should have a broad fairly straight back and must not be pinched behind the shoulders, a small dip behind the shoulder is acceptable.
Characteristic faults:
Concave back, slab sided, cylindrical or pinched behind the should.
Hindquarters:
The pelvis must be large, broad and with good length, from pin to hip.
Well muscled through the rump, twist and inner thighs with length through the stitch, particularly in bucks.
The rump should be slightly sloped. The Tail should be straight at the dock and be able to move freely.
Characteristic faults:
Narrow hips or thurl, rump that slopes too much, wry tail, short from hip to pin, poor muscling particularly in the bucks, short stitch / poor inner thigh development.
Legs:
The legs should be of medium length and in proportion to the depth of the body. The upper leg should be long in proportion to the cannon bone and well muscled. The legs should be strong and well placed, with strong well formed pasterns and coloured hooves. Leg bone should be wide, flat and dry.
Characteristic faults:
Knock knees, bandy legs, cow or sickle hocks, post legged, thin or fleshy legs, weak pasterns and hooves pointed outwards or inwards, or lacking good pigmentation colour.
Skin and Covering:
A loose supple skin is essential, with sufficient chest and neck folds, especially in bucks.
Eyelids and hairless parts must be pigmented. All hairless skin (i.e. under the tail, around the mouth and eyelids) should have a minimum pigmentation of 75% with 100% the ideal. Pigmentation may range from light through to dark.
Hair should be short, dense and glossy, a limited amount of cashmere will be tolerated with a winter coat.
Characteristic faults:
Hair too long, coarse or sparse, fine and open. Pigmentation less than 75%.
Sexual Organs:
– Does
Well formed udder firmly attached with no more than 2 separate teats on either side.
Characteristic faults:
Any teat variation of more than 2 separate teats per side. calabash/bottle teats or pendulous udder.
Sexual Organs:
– Bucks
Two reasonably large, well formed, healthy and of equal size testes in one scrotum. A scrotum with no larger split than 5cm is permissible. The scrotum must be at least 25 cm. at maturity.
Characteristic faults:
Small testes, a scrotum sac with a circumference of less than 25 cm. at maturity.
Any teat variation of more than 2 separate teats per side, calabash/bottle teats.
Colouring:
The Red Boer goat ideally for stud registration must be of total red colour, ranging from light to dark red, it shall have no more than 5% white colouring over the entire body.
In Australia Blacks are registered under the Red Registry. In South Africa they are called "Blackberry's"
General Appearance:
The Red Boers are animals of quality, showing balance, symmetry and a strong vigorous appearance.
The Doe must be feminine, the body wedging slightly to the front.The Buck must demonstrate masculinity and strength and is heavier in the head, neck and rump.
Disqualifications;
Note: Animals that displays any of the following characteristics should not be used for breeding and may not be exhibited.
Blue Eyes Wry, twisted or crooked face or mouth (i.e. parrot mouth)Undescended, single or divided testes, monorchid or cryptorchid
Fertility:
A Doe must have kidded or be joined by the age of 2 years.
Size:
The ideal is a medium sized, heavy goat with maximum meat production. A desirable relationship between length of leg and depth of body should be achieved. Kids tend to be longer in the leg.
Characteristic faults:
Goats that are too large or too small.
The following is permissible:
Head, neck and forequarters – must be of total red colouring.
Barrel, hindquarters and belly – only one patch of white is permissible not exceeding 10 cm.
Legs – the term ‘legs’ is taken to mean that portion below an imaginary line formed by the chest and the underline.
Patches of white of no more than 5 cm. in diameter.
Tail – the tail must be red.
Important Note
Where an animal is highly exceptional in it’s functional traits and displays an aesthetic fault, it’s exceptional traits should be recognised.
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