African Pygmy Goat/Nigerian dwarf questions.?

Question

I heard these can be friendly indoor pets and get along with other animals. What are the difference between the two? Also how hard is it really to housebreak one? Someone said it's easier than a dog but I haven't heard that from anyone else.

Answer 1

Yes, they can be friendly indoor pets and they can get along very well with other animals.  Oftentimes how well they get along with other animals is determined by the other animals.  Some dogs will constantly harass & even try to kill goats, so you have to be very careful with introductions to dogs.

I personally have never house trained a goat but I am told it is done the same way you housetrain a dog.  Dogs & goats have a similar IQ (around 60), and both are highly trainable.  HOWEVER, goats can control when they urinate but they have no control over their droppings (we call them goat "berries").  Normally they will drop berries a few seconds after every time they urinate, so it isn't a problem, but if they ever have a "berry" accident in the house, it is not something they had any control over.  (Fortunately they are very easy to sweep up.)

The difference between Pygmies & Dwarfs is their body shape and color.  Pygmies are a meat breed with a short, stocky build and strict color guidelines.  Dwarfs are a dairy breed and tend to have a finer, sleeker build, and good milk production (if you breed them).  Dwarfs can also come in any color or pattern.