_Indigenous_Maltese_doe..jpg) An indigenous Maltese doe exhibited in Malta. | |
| Conservation status | International Transboundary Breed (2024): at risk[1] |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | Mogħża Maltija |
| Country of origin | Middle East[2] |
| Distribution |
|
| Use | Milk |
| Traits | |
| Skin colour | pinkish white or orange-red |
| Wool colour | white, grey, black, chestnut- red, brown or greyish white |
| Horn status | most are naturally polled (hornless) |
| Beard | usually no beard |
| Tassels | usually 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]
- ^ "Imports 60 goats from Sicily to strengthen indigenous Maltese goats".
- ^ Blundell, R (1995). "Reintroduction of the local breeds of sheep and goats in Malta". Cahiers Options Méditerranéennes. 11: 97–100.
- ^ Attard, G. "METIC Agriculture: A résumé of identified themes for collaboration" (PDF).