About Nigerian Dwarfs

Nigerian Dwarfs are still considered a new breed to Australia, first arriving in 2014 by founding breeders; Michael and Ulrike Garwood of First Fleet.

Nigerian Dwarfs are an American breed derived from embryos and semen straws. They are the only miniature dairy breed recognised in the world, well known for their high butterfat content and productive milking ability.

Australia currently participates in breeding full blood American derived Nigerian Dwarfs and Australian graded Nigerian Dwarfs which are part-bred or percentage animals that are a cross between a full blood Nigerian Dwarf and an Australian Miniature or another large Dairy Goat breed. 50%, 75%, 87.5%, etc.

Here at Kirrasumm Kidz we endeavour to preserve the imported American genetics and only breed Full Blood Nigerian Dwarfs. We strive to establish excellence in both conformation and mammary systems as the breed is developed in the country. We participate in herd recording of milk tests and have our entire herd Alpha Casein tested as well as fully DNA parent verified back to imports. We also maintain a Myotonic clear herd, all our animals are either tested clear or clear by parentage.

We are the oldest breeder of Nigerian Dwarfs in the state, and our journey began in early 2019 when we purchased our first full blood doe from First Fleet Stud in Victoria. Our foundation doe; First Fleet Lucia, now an Australian Champion later delivered us a gorgeous buck / doe pair in August 2019 marking the start of our breeding program.

Our sincerest gratitude to Michael and Ulrike Garwood of First Fleet Dairy Goats, for giving not just us, but Australia the amazing opportunity to acquire American derived Full Blood Nigerian Dwarf genetics and allowing us to join the adventure of breeding these animals in Australia.

Tasmanian Country Article

Our gorgeous ND's made the paper

Both the Tasmanian Country on page 2, 6 and 7, and the Mercury on page 21.
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Copy Of Tasmanian Country Article - By Karolin MacGregor

"The latest arrivals at a southern Tasmanian goat stud have brought a cuteness overload from one of the state's rarest breeds.
A set of quadruplet Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats was recently born at the Hoffman family's Kirrasumm Kidz Miniature Goat Stud. They are the only full blood Nigerian Dwarfs to be born in Tasmania. They were produced by a doe the family brought into the state last year. The quads, which were all boys, ranged in weight from 900g up to 1500g. The breed is new to Australia and demand is so high, all four already have people keen to buy them. Last year the same doe produced a set of twins.

Nigerian Dwarfs are an American dairy breed that first arrived in Australia in 2014. Because no live animals can be imported into Australia, the breed has been developed from semen and frozen embryos imported by founding Victorian breeders Michael and Ulrike Garwood of First Fleet.

Does in the breed must be no larger than 57cm and bucks

must be under 60cm. Despite their small size, the breed are highly productive and can produce an average of 1.8 litres of milk a day and up to 4 litres a doe for exceptional does. Nigerian Dwarfs milk also has a higher butterfat percentage in their milk than other dairy goat breeds, despite being the smallest dairy breed in the world.As well as Nigerian Dwarfs the family also breed Australian Miniature Goats on their property near Sorell. They started breeding goats in 2013 and were the first stud to import purebred Nigerian Dwarfs from US genetics into the state last year.Kirralee Hoffman said the Nigerian Dwarfs were quickly becoming her favorite breed thanks to their temperaments and friendly personality. 'They are useful little animals as well as being fabulous, all around pets, perfect for the family.'With only a select pool of full blood genetics available to Australia, Miss Hoffman said they would continue to improve their stud stock through the use of imported American semen straws and were also currently searching for the perfect buck in the US.There are currently two other operations in Tasmania breeding part-bred Nigerian Dwarfs, a cross between an Australian Miniature and a Nigerian Dwarf. These animals can be graded as percentages from 50 percent to 75 percent and upwards as breeding programs continue.As well as being valued for their milk, the goats are also proving sought after for breeders and show enthusiasts. A number of goat registries in Australia recognise the breed, both the full bloods and percentages. All stock carrying Nigerian Dwarf genetics are DNA verified to the sire and dam with genetics traceable to American bloodlines."