A general overview of the breed.
Myotonic goats have a very distinctive breed type that is mostly on head and body conformation.
They also have a muscle condition called myotonia congenita. This inherited trait leads to an
overall increase in muscle mass so that the goats are very muscular when compared to other
breeds of similar size. This trait is so distinctive that it is easy to confuse the trait with the breed.
However, the Myotonic goat is much more then just a myotonic condition; it has a host of other
consistent traits that are very important and need to be conserved for future generations.
1. Docile temperament
2. Myotonia congenita leading to stiffness and muscularity
3. Abundance of high quality muscle
4. Good adaptation to low-input forage-based feeding systems
5. Genetic distance from other breeds such that crossbreeding yeilds great hybrid vigor.
STIFFNESS
1. Never observed to stiffen, but other type traits are consistent as is pedigree.
2. Very rarely stiffens, never falls.
3. Stiffens only occasionally, and rarely falls.
4. Walks normally with no swivel. The rear limbs lock up readily, the forelimbs less so,
and goats with this degree of stiffness rarely fall to the ground.
5. Animal walks relitively normally, although somewhat stiff in the rear and with a
swivel at the hip. readily stiffens when startled or stepping over a barrier.
6. Animal always moves stiffly to some degree, and readily becomes "locked up" when
startled or stepping over a barrier.
For more information on the breed please go to
www.myotonicgoatregistry.com
This is just a very brief overview of the breed! Lots more on registry web site.
Myotonic goats have a very distinctive breed type that is mostly on head and body conformation.
They also have a muscle condition called myotonia congenita. This inherited trait leads to an
overall increase in muscle mass so that the goats are very muscular when compared to other
breeds of similar size. This trait is so distinctive that it is easy to confuse the trait with the breed.
However, the Myotonic goat is much more then just a myotonic condition; it has a host of other
consistent traits that are very important and need to be conserved for future generations.
1. Docile temperament
2. Myotonia congenita leading to stiffness and muscularity
3. Abundance of high quality muscle
4. Good adaptation to low-input forage-based feeding systems
5. Genetic distance from other breeds such that crossbreeding yeilds great hybrid vigor.
STIFFNESS
1. Never observed to stiffen, but other type traits are consistent as is pedigree.
2. Very rarely stiffens, never falls.
3. Stiffens only occasionally, and rarely falls.
4. Walks normally with no swivel. The rear limbs lock up readily, the forelimbs less so,
and goats with this degree of stiffness rarely fall to the ground.
5. Animal walks relitively normally, although somewhat stiff in the rear and with a
swivel at the hip. readily stiffens when startled or stepping over a barrier.
6. Animal always moves stiffly to some degree, and readily becomes "locked up" when
startled or stepping over a barrier.
For more information on the breed please go to
www.myotonicgoatregistry.com
This is just a very brief overview of the breed! Lots more on registry web site.
