Saanen goats are a white or cream-colored breed of goat

Goat

The domestic goat is a subspecies of goat domesticated from the wild goat of southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the Bovidae family and is closely related to the sheep as both are in the goat-antelope subfamily Caprinae. There are over three hundred distinct breeds of...

, named for the Saanen

Saanen

Saanen is a municipality in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is the capital of the Obersimmental-Saanen administrative district.-Geography:Saanen has an area of . Of this area, 52.8% is used for agricultural purposes, while 33.6% is forested...

 valley in Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....

. Saanens are the largest of the goat dairy

Dairy

A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...

 breeds. Does typically weigh 150 lb (68 kg) or more, with bucks weighing over 200 lb (91 kg). The Saanen breed also produces the most milk on average, and tends to have a lower butterfat content, about 2.5%–3.0%. A Saanen nanny produces around an average of 1 gallon (3.8 litres) a day.

Just as Alpines, they are commonly used for commercial milking.

The Saanen temperament is, as a rule, calm and mild mannered; breeders have been known to refer to them as living marshmallows.
Saanen goats are easier for children to handle, and are popular in the showmanship classes due to their calm nature. They typically breed every year, producing one or two kids.

The Sable Saanen

Sable Saanen

The Sable Saanen is a breed of goat descended from Saanen goats brought to America by Europeans. In 2005, the Sable was recognized as a separate breed. Before they were recognized as a separate breed, they were often culled. They are color variations of Saanens due to a recessive gene; they are...

is not a crossbreed, but is a recessive expression of color derived from the white Saanen. Sables can vary in color from beige through black, with almost any color but pure white (which would be a white Saanen). Sables are accepted as a breed in their own right in some dairy goat breed clubs, but not in others.

Regardless of color, the Saanen breed is large and big-boned, but graceful and refined in bone, the ears are erect, and the nose is straight or dished. Both does and bucks usually have beards unless trimmed for a show, and horns (as do most other breeds), unless dehorned at birth.

Saanen goats appear on Farmville.