Walk into any goat forum or Facebook group asking about small goats and you'll encounter the same question over and over: what's the difference between a Nigerian Dwarf and a Pygmy? To the casual observer, they look similar—both are knee-high goats with friendly dispositions that work well on small properties. But these breeds were developed for completely different purposes, and choosing between them comes down to understanding what you actually want from your goats.

Nigerian Dwarfs are dairy goats bred for milk production, while Pygmies are companion animals bred for their compact, stocky build. This fundamental difference shapes everything from body structure to daily care requirements to what these goats cost and what they can offer you in return.

The Purpose Distinction

Understanding the original purpose of each breed explains almost every other difference between them.

Nigerian Dwarfs came to America in the mid-twentieth century as zoo animals, but breeders quickly recognized their potential as miniature dairy goats. Over decades of selective breeding, they were refined into genuine dairy animals that happen to be small. Today's Nigerian Dwarfs can produce one to two quarts of milk daily—remarkable output for animals that weigh only 60 to 80 pounds. Their milk tests at 6 to 10 percent butterfat, the highest of any goat breed, making it prized for cheese, soap, and ice cream.

Pygmies arrived around the same time but followed a different path. Breeders selected them for their compact, stocky appearance rather than production traits. The goal was creating an appealing companion animal with the classic "miniature goat" look—short legs, barrel body, dense coat. Pygmies can technically be milked, but their udders are small, their teats are tiny, and their output is minimal. Trying to milk a Pygmy regularly is like trying to use a sports car to haul hay—technically possible but missing the point of the design.

This distinction matters because it determines what the breeds are good at. Want milk? Nigerian Dwarf. Want a pet with minimal demands? Pygmy. Want both? That's where the decision gets more nuanced.

Physical Differences

Side by side, the physical differences between these breeds become obvious once you know what to look for. Nigerian Dwarfs have a dairy-type build—lean body, longer legs relative to their frame, angular appearance with visible bone structure. They look like someone took a standard dairy goat and scaled it down proportionally.

Pygmies have the opposite build—a stocky, cobby body with short legs, wide barrel, and muscular appearance. They're low to the ground in a way that Nigerian Dwarfs aren't. Put one of each next to a ruler and you might get similar height readings, but they carry that height completely differently.

The height ranges overlap considerably. Nigerian Dwarf does stand 17 to 19 inches at the shoulder, bucks 19 to 21 inches. Pygmy goats range from 16 to 23 inches for both sexes. The weights overlap too—60 to 80 pounds for Nigerian Dwarfs, 60 to 85 for Pygmies. The difference isn't about actual size but about how that size is distributed.

Color tells the breeds apart too. Nigerian Dwarfs come in almost any color or pattern imaginable—solid shades, spotted patterns, roaned coats, moonspots, and the blue eyes that many owners find particularly striking. Breed standards place no restrictions on color, so breeders have created tremendous variety.

Pygmies are more restricted, limited to specific patterns: caramel (light to medium brown), agouti (brown with black markings), black, and gray agouti. Show animals need proper markings in the right places. Eyes are always brown. This more limited palette creates a consistent, recognizable "Pygmy look" that some owners prefer.

Milk Production: The Biggest Practical Difference

If you want goat milk, the choice is straightforward—Nigerian Dwarfs are dairy goats and Pygmies are not.

A good Nigerian Dwarf doe produces one to two quarts of milk daily during her lactation, which typically lasts around ten months with proper management. The milk is exceptionally rich, testing at 6 to 10 percent butterfat compared to 3 to 4 percent for most standard dairy goat breeds. This richness makes Nigerian Dwarf milk ideal for cheese, where butterfat translates directly to yield and quality. People also prize it for soap-making and drinking, finding it sweet and creamy without the "goaty" taste some associate with goat dairy.

Their udders are properly shaped for hand milking, though the teats are smaller than on full-sized dairy goats. Some owners find this makes milking more challenging, especially if they have larger hands. Small-teat milking machines exist for exactly this reason.

Nigerian Dwarfs breed year-round, unlike most goat breeds that only come into heat during fall months. This means you can manage your breeding schedule to ensure consistent milk production throughout the year rather than having all your does dry up at once.

Pygmies, by contrast, were never selected for dairy traits. A Pygmy doe might produce a cup or two of milk while nursing kids, but her udder is small, her teats are tiny and difficult to grasp, and her milk production drops off quickly. Some dedicated owners do milk Pygmies successfully, but it's a hobby rather than a practical enterprise. If milk is part of your plan, a Nigerian Dwarf is the right choice.

Temperament and Personality

Both breeds make genuinely good pets, but their personalities differ in subtle ways that matter over years of ownership.

Nigerian Dwarfs tend toward more active, interactive personalities. They're curious about everything, eager for human attention, and often follow their owners around hoping for treats or scratches. This makes them wonderful for families who want goats that feel like part of the family, but it also means they can be demanding. A Nigerian Dwarf who feels ignored may vocalize more or test fences looking for entertainment.

They're excellent for 4-H projects and training because they respond well to consistent handling and genuinely seem to enjoy the attention. Children often bond closely with Nigerian Dwarfs, and the goats reciprocate that affection.

Pygmies share the friendliness but tend to be slightly more self-contained. They're playful and enjoy human interaction, but they're also content to entertain themselves with their herdmates rather than demanding constant attention from their owners. This independence makes them lower maintenance emotionally—you can enjoy watching them without feeling obligated to provide constant enrichment.

Both breeds are intelligent, both can be trained, and both are gentle with children when properly socialized. The difference is more about whether you want a goat that acts like a pet dog or a goat that acts like a friendly barnyard animal.

Care Requirements

The basic care for both breeds overlaps considerably. They need the same type of shelter—dry, draft-free, with adequate ventilation. They need similar fencing—at least four feet tall with secure latches, no gaps large enough to squeeze through. They need regular hoof trimming, annual vaccinations, and parasite management through deworming protocols.

Space requirements are essentially identical. Two goats of either breed need at least 200 square feet of outdoor space and 20 to 40 square feet of shelter, though more is always better. See our Pygmy goat enclosure guide for detailed housing specifications.

The differences emerge in feeding and health management. Nigerian Dwarfs in milk need grain to support their production—typically one to two pounds daily depending on output. This adds cost and requires more attention to feeding routines. Does not in milk and wethers need minimal grain, similar to Pygmies.

Pygmies face a significant obesity risk that Nigerian Dwarfs generally don't. Their stocky build evolved in West Africa where food wasn't always abundant, making them efficient at storing fat. In domestic settings with ample food, they put on weight easily and can develop serious health problems from obesity. Keeping Pygmies healthy means limiting grain, providing mostly hay, and monitoring body condition closely. That barrel shape should come from their build, not from excess fat.

Both breeds can develop pregnancy toxemia when does carry multiple kids, but the risk is higher in Nigerian Dwarfs because they commonly have litters of three to five kids. This condition requires awareness and preventive feeding management in late pregnancy.

Cost Comparison

Pygmy goats generally cost less than Nigerian Dwarfs at every quality level. A pet-quality Pygmy wether might run $50 to $150, while a comparable Nigerian Dwarf costs $150 to $250. Breeding-quality animals run $250 to $400 for Pygmies versus $300 to $500 for Nigerian Dwarfs. Show-quality animals command higher prices in both breeds, but the gap persists.

This price difference reflects the dairy value of Nigerian Dwarfs. A registered doe from milk-producing lines represents genuine economic value to someone running a small dairy operation. Pygmies, as companion animals, are priced primarily on appearance and temperament rather than production potential.

Ongoing costs differ too. Feed for two milking Nigerian Dwarf does runs $600 to $900 annually with the grain they need, while two Pygmies on a hay-based diet cost $500 to $700. Milking equipment—milk pails, strainers, storage containers—adds to the Nigerian Dwarf total. Veterinary costs are similar for both breeds, as are bedding and general supplies.

If budget is a significant concern, Pygmies are the more economical choice both upfront and ongoing.

Making the Choice

The decision between Nigerian Dwarf and Pygmy ultimately comes back to what you want from goat ownership.

Choose Nigerian Dwarfs if you want milk, even in small quantities for personal use. Choose them if you want to make cheese, soap, or other dairy products. Choose them if year-round breeding capability matters to you, or if you want the widest possible variety in colors and patterns. Choose them if you want highly interactive pets that crave attention and connection.

Choose Pygmies if you want pets without the commitment of daily milking. Choose them if you prefer lower maintenance animals that entertain themselves. Choose them if budget is a significant factor. Choose them if you like the classic stocky "mini goat" appearance. Choose them if you want hardy, disease-resistant animals that require less management.

Either breed works well for families with children, first-time goat owners, small properties, and people who simply want entertaining animals around. Both make excellent pets when properly cared for.

Living Together

Nigerian Dwarfs and Pygmies can absolutely share pastures and shelters. They're similar enough in size that dominance issues rarely become problems, and they get along well as herdmates. Many owners keep both breeds together happily for years.

The main caution involves breeding. Crossing Nigerian Dwarfs with Pygmies creates unregistered crossbreeds sometimes called "Pygerians." These animals can make perfectly good pets, but they have no registry value and shouldn't be sold as purebreds of either type. If you're keeping both breeds, separate the sexes or keep only wethers to avoid accidental crossbreeding.

Feeding management matters when keeping both breeds together. If your Nigerian Dwarfs need grain for milk production but your Pygmies need to avoid grain for weight management, you'll need separate feeding areas or timed meals that keep the Pygmies from gorging on the Nigerian Dwarfs' rations.

Otherwise, these breeds coexist peacefully and often form close bonds across breed lines.

FAQ: Nigerian Dwarf vs Pygmy

What's the main difference between Nigerian Dwarf and Pygmy goats? The main difference is purpose: Nigerian Dwarf goats are dairy animals bred for milk production (1-2 quarts/day with 6-10% butterfat), while Pygmy goats are companion animals bred for their compact, stocky appearance. Nigerian Dwarfs have a lean, dairy-type build; Pygmies have a stocky, muscular build.

Which is smaller, Nigerian Dwarf or Pygmy? Both breeds are similar in height (16-23 inches), but Pygmy goats appear smaller due to their stocky build and shorter legs. Nigerian Dwarfs have longer legs and a leaner build, making them appear slightly taller despite similar measurements.

Which breed is better for pets? Both make excellent pets. Choose Pygmies if you want lower maintenance, more independent goats. Choose Nigerian Dwarfs if you want more interactive companions or the option to milk. Both are friendly, good with children, and suitable for small spaces.

Can you milk a Pygmy goat? While technically possible, Pygmy goats are not practical to milk. They produce minimal milk (1-2 cups if any), have small teats that are difficult to hand-milk, and weren't bred for dairy production. Nigerian Dwarfs are the better choice for home dairy.

Which breed is more expensive? Nigerian Dwarf goats are generally more expensive ($200-$500 vs $75-$400) due to their dairy value. Nigerian Dwarfs in milk also cost more to feed. Overall, Pygmy goats are the more budget-friendly option for pet ownership.

Can Nigerian Dwarf and Pygmy goats live together? Yes, these breeds can happily live together. They're similar in size, have compatible temperaments, and share the same basic care requirements. Just avoid breeding them together if you want registered purebred offspring.