Maltese goat

Maltese
An indigenous Maltese doe exhibited in Malta.
Conservation statusInternational Transboundary Breed (2024): at risk
NicknamesMogħża Maltija
Country of originMiddle East
Distribution
  • Malta
  • Sicily
  • Sardinia
  • Southern Italy
  • Greece
  • Turkey
  • North Africa
UseMilk
Traits
Skin colourpinkish white or orange-red
Wool colourwhite, grey, black, chestnut- red, brown or greyish white
Horn statusmost are naturally polled (hornless)
Beardusually no beard
Tasselsusually present
Notes
usually long straight hair but may also be short
  • Goat
  • Capra aegagrus hircus

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.