The Nubian goat was originally from African and Indian heritage, combined in England. They were bred to be a duel purpose animal (both meat and milk). The general appearance is that of a large, strong, well-built animal. It is quickly recognized from most other breeds of goats by it’s ears and head. The ears are pendulous, wide, flat, hung close to the head and slightly flared forward. When held flat along the face, the ears will reach past the end of the nose. The head is long and wide with a broad muzzle and a prominently arched noose (known as a roman nose). The body is large and deep. Due to the slightly higher hip bones the Nubian’s back is not level as the Swiss dairy breeds; but rises gently towards the rump with a small dip in the middle. The rump is steeper and the rear legs straighter. The Nubian is also a bit fleshier then other dairy breeds, especially in the withers and thighs. It can be any color or combination of colors, although Toggenburg color and marking is not preferred.

The height at the withers is 30 inches or more for does and 32 inches or more for bucks.

Evaluation of Defects

Part 1 -- Slight defects

Broken or wry tail

Part 2 -- Defects that could be slight to serious depending on degree (These are all more serious in bucks than in does.)

Ears that do not reach past the end of the muzzle when held flat along face
Narrow ears
Ears that are not completely pendulous or airplane ears
Does less then 30 inches tall at withers
Bucks less then 32 inches tall at withers
Wry jaws or face on doe
Weak horns that break easily, are thin-walled, or circular in section
Non-symmetrical horns
Winged or loose, open shoulders
Bowed front legs
Closely spaced front legs, pinched heart girth
Swollen stifle joint/s
Closely spaced hind legs
Close or touching hocks
Feet that turn in or out
Malformed feet--splayed, sloping, overgrown
Narrow, shallow, or short body
Level (flat) or nearly level rump, or steeply sloped rump
Poor udder attachment front, side, or rear
Udders uneven in the size of the two halve

Part 3-- Moderate Defects

Straight face
Swollen hocks and/or enlarged knees, not sufficient to cause lameness
Teats too close together, bulbous and/or poor defined at the udder juncture
Teats pointing together or outside, disproportionate in size (too small or large.)
Teats hard to milk due to misplaced or small orifice.
Spur (non-functional) teats on does
Multiple teats on bucks
Large teats on bucks

Part 4 -- Serious Defects

Undershot or overshot jaws
Lameness, especially combined with badly swollen knees and/or hocks
Leaking teats
Thin udder skin that allows seeping of milk or serum
Pendulous udder
Double orifices in teats
Double teats
Functional spur teats, and those close to primary teats
Disproportionate bodily parts, such as a large head, or a thick body on short legs, especially in young animals

Part 5 -- Disqualifications

Erect ears
Dished face
Crooked face
Blindness, unless the result of accident
Blind primary teat or teats on does
Lack of one or both primary teats (blind udder)
Lack of half or functional half of udder, unless the result of accident or mastectomy
Hermaphroditism or evidence thereof; failure to breed
Undescended testicle or testicles
Permanent physical defect such as navel hernia
Does less than 30 inches or bucks less then 32 inches