Due to Australian Quarantine Regulations, Pygmy Goat genetics have only been imported from the United States purebred Pygmy Goat population.
As such, the Australian goat breed associations who register Pygmy Goats (AABMGS, AGB, MGA, MGBA, NPGAA) have all adapted their own individual Breed Standard based on the NPGA (USA) Pygmy Goat Breed Standard. The Pygmy Goat is still a developing breed in Australia, therefore it is possible that each association’s existing Breed Standard may change or be further clarified in the future.
Unfortunately, this means there is no single, uniform Pygmy Goat Breed Standard used by every Australian association and differences exist in the standards, accepted colours, required markings, recognised breed faults and severity of penalties.
As with DNA parentage verification requirements, these differences may influence which associations new breeders choose for registration and showing, as well as which animals they purchase and what they aim to produce in their own breeding programs.
The most significant differences between the various Australian Pygmy Goat Breed Standards concern acceptable coat colour patterns, coat type, markings and eye colour.
In view of where all our Pygmy Goats originally came from and that the breed is still developing here, the US Pygmy Goat Breed Standard is a highly valuable resource for all Australian breeders irrespective of association membership. Personally I believe it is the most comprehensive Breed Standard for correct conformation, structure and anatomy, irrespective of colour, and the Breed Standard my Judges Accreditation was based on in 2024.
A copy of the US Pygmy Goat Breed Standard can be downloaded from the NPGA USA website here.
Also of interest to Australian Pygmy Goat breeders is the NPGA USA Judges Scorecard for Bucks and Does which shows the importance of each category in the Breed Standard and is available to read here.
Colours, markings and showing
All Australian associations currently (2026) allow all colours, coat patterns and markings that have come from the foundation Australian genetics in our Pygmy Goats. Some associations welcome and even encourage coat and eye colour pattern variations and random markings while other Associations are committed to a future of Traditional US Colour patterns and required markings in Australian Pygmy Goats and discourage other colours in anything but lower % Appendix animals.
Within the associations that accept all variations, the choice to pursue Traditional US colour patterns and required marking is entirely up to the individual breeder – however, it’s worth noting that even where a wider range is accepted, colour and markings have still influenced judging outcomes in practice in the show ring.
Essentially this means if two goats have similar type and conformation in the show ring, but one has traditional colour pattern, required markings and eye colour and the other does not, then the traditional animal may place higher in the line-up.
Equally a lesser quality goat with Traditional colour pattern and required markings could place over a better conformed coloured goat if the judge considers it to show more Pygmy Goat breed character.
This may not matter to breeders who do not intend showing their animals, but it is worth knowing because show preferences can influence buyer interest and future saleability.
Colour, breed type and breeding goals
Specific colours, patterns, markings and eye colours are not unique to Pygmy Goats. Breed standards for many animal breeds describe acceptable colours and markings. Some, such as Friesian horses and German Shepherd Dogs, have particularly limited or specific requirements, with anything else being a disqualifying fault.
Although mostly cosmetic in nature, colours and markings are key elements in Breed characteristics for many pet and livestock breeds.
Genetic inheritance of colour is a topic for another article, but its also worth mentioning here that the black gene – the genetic base of black and grey agouti patter Pygmy Goats from the US – is a recessive gene and can be easily lost within one or two generations of selective breeding against it in a herd.
This means there is a real risk of losing the Traditional black and grey agouti Pygmy Goat colour pattern and the required breed markings when Australian breeders consistently select for ‘pretty colours’ instead.
My personal preference is for Traditional US colour patterns and markings, purely because the agouti’s are what I fell in love with years before the breed was even in Australia.
However, correct conformation and type is far more important to me than colour, especially at this stage of the breed’s development.
I’ve been involved with purebred horses and dogs, both in and out of the showring for decades and have seen firsthand the damage that can occur when breeders chase fashionable colours over the conformation described in the Breed Standard, particularly those that impact health, reproductive capacity and longevity.
In Australia, the non-Traditional colour patterns and markings often descend from goats with dairy breeding in their ancestry (Anglo-Nubian, Nigerian Dwarf, Australian Miniature, Rangelands) and strong dairy goat characteristics that can be difficult to breed out as they are fundamentally different to the correct conformation and structure of the cobby, compact, heavy boned Pygmy Goat defined in Australian and US Breed Standards.
Australian Pygmy Goat association Breed Standards
I recommend new fanciers interested in breeding Pygmy Goats research all Australian Associations, their individual Breed Standards, registration rules and the states they hold shows in (if that is of interest) and have a good idea of what their own goals and intentions are with breeding Pygmy Goats before they purchase any animals.
All Breeds Miniature Goats and Sheep Society Inc (AABMGS) Breed Standard
Australian Goat Breeders Inc (AGB) Breed Standard
Miniature Goat Breeders Association of Australia Inc (MGBA) Breed Standard
Miniature Goats Australia (MGA) At the time of writing (October 2026), MGA does not appear to have a full Breed Standard published on its website. It’s Pygmy Goat page states ‘Colouring for the Pygmy Goat is quite specific: All Black, grey, or brown (coloured and white hairs permitted)”, however photos of Australian Champions show the Australian Chamoisee colour patterned goats. Obtaining a copy of the MGA’s full Breed Standard to confirm their accepted colour patterns is advised.
National Pygmy Goat Association of Australia (NPGAA) Breed Standard
© 2026 Michelle Wrighton, Eagleburra Pygmy Goats. All rights reserved.
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