The Saanen dairy goat is a large sized goat which originated in Switzerland. The general appearance is tall, heavy and rangy. They appear somewhat heavier then the Alpine, containing more substance. The body is very deep, wide and long with well sprung ribs pointing to the rear. They have a straight back with very little slope to the rump. The legs are long, squarely set, strong, straight and wide apart. The ears are large and upright, sometimes rounding at the tip. The head is wide and long with a straight or dished face . They have a deep muzzle and a strong jaw. The Saanen is always white or light cream, but white is preferred. Freckles on the skin are acceptable.

The height at the withers is 30 inches or more for does and 32 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 are not upright
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
Steeply sloped rump
Poor udder attachment front, side, or rear
Udders uneven in the size of the two halves

Part 3-- Moderate Defects

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

Roman nose
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