Damascus goats can be tagged as the bulldog of goats. Maybe this is due to how it looks but the goat has been bred for years for its meat, milk, and hides. Damascus goats originated from Lebanon, Israel, Syria, and Cyprus.
This goat has several names that include Halep, Aleppo, Baladi, Shami, Damascene, and Chami. The goat’s appearance makes it easy to spot among other goat breeds.
They are said to be developed by the British before being exported to Cyprus where the name “Damascus” was attributed to them. The goat breed, according to history, has been mentioned in many Arabic folklores and works of literature.
They’re also used to produce other breeds of goat, one of which is known as Qahr. Qahr has the title of being the most beautiful goat presently.
What else is special about the Damascus goats? Read on to find out;
Classification
- Scientific name: Capra aegagrus hircus
- Higher classification: Goat
- Rank: Breed
Characteristics of the Damascus Goat
Climate tolerance
The Syrian goats are robust and hardy. They are able to survive different weather conditions across the world. They do well in hot weather conditions, especially in the Middle Eastern countries.
Size and Weight
The Shami goat is considerably large and is said to share traits with the Nubian goats. The weight of an average buck is approximately 70 to 90 kg while the doe weighs about 50 to 60 kg.
Behavior and Temperament
Damascus goats are social animals. They are friendly and calm. This makes them easy to tame and handled even when they are young.
Physical Appearance
While some goats have long black horns, others don’t, depending on the gender. Damascus goats have long legs sturdy legs and a long neck, but the skull is considerably small. Bucks are much bigger than Does.
Productivity Rate
With proper care, a doe can give birth to three or four kids with each kidding. They are great producers of milk, and on average, can produce up to 1.5 kg of milk every day. Their large size also makes them good meat producers, and their hides are used for leather products.
Maturity Rate
Damascus kids grow and reach maturity very quickly when compared with other goat breeds in the Middle East region.
There’s very limited information about the Damascus Goat. If you have more informations you’d like to share with us about this goat, please kindly share in the comments section below.
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