Maltese goat

Maltese
An indigenous Maltese doe exhibited during the first show dedicated to this endangered traditional population in Żejtun, Malta.
Conservation statusInternational Transboundary Breed (2024): at risk[1]
NicknamesMogħża Maltija
Country of originMiddle East[2]
Distribution
  • Malta
  • Sicily
  • Sardinia
  • Southern Italy
  • Greece
  • Turkey
  • North Africa
UseMilk
Traits
Skin colourpinkish white or orange-red
Wool colourwhite, grey, black, chestnut- red, brown or greyish white
Horn statusmost are naturally polled (hornless)
Beardusually no beard
Tasselsusually present
Notes
usually long straight hair but may also be short

The Maltese is a comparatively small sized rare breed of dairy goat known for its high milk production, high prolifacy and a resistance and adaptation to heat stress.[3]

  1. ^ "Imports 60 goats from Sicily to strengthen indigenous Maltese goats".
  2. ^ Blundell, R (1995). "Reintroduction of the local breeds of sheep and goats in Malta". Cahiers Options Méditerranéennes. 11: 97–100.
  3. ^ Attard, G. "METIC Agriculture: A résumé of identified themes for collaboration" (PDF).