The Saanen is a dairy [[Goats|goat]] breed originating in the Saanen Valley of the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. It is the highest-producing dairy goat breed in the world and is the foundation breed for most modern commercial dairy goat operations. Saanens are solid white or cream colored with erect ears and a distinctive straight or slightly dished face. The breed has been widely exported and has influenced the development of dairy goat breeds wherever it has been introduced.
The Saanen breed was developed in the Saanental (Saanen Valley) of western Switzerland, where the alpine climate and steep terrain selected for a hardy, efficient dairy animal. The breed was first imported to England in the late 19th century and to the United States in 1904. The American Goat Society began registering Saanens in 1921.
Saanens were a key component in the development of the dairy goat industry in the United States and Europe. Their high production made them the standard for commercial dairying, and they were used extensively in the development of the modern dairy goat through crossbreeding programs. The breed's white coat and calm temperament also made them popular for showing. Saanens were crossed with other Swiss breeds to produce the American Lamancha and other synthetic dairy goat lines.
Saanens are medium to large goats with a refined dairy conformation. Mature does weigh 135 to 160 pounds (60 to 70 kilograms), and bucks weigh 175 to 200 pounds (80 to 90 kilograms). The coat is white or light cream and is short to medium in length. The ears are erect and pointing forward, the face is straight or slightly dished, and the profile is typical of the Swiss dairy breeds. The skin is pink with no pigmentation on the udder or around the eyes, which can make the breed more susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer in hot, sunny climates.
A Saanen doe produces 2,000 to 3,500 pounds (900 to 1,600 liters) of milk per lactation, with butterfat content of 2.5 to 3.5 percent. The milk is low in butterfat compared to other dairy goat breeds, which is a consideration for cheesemaking. The breed is known for its calm, docile temperament and is generally among the most manageable of the dairy goat breeds.
Saanens are kept for fluid milk production on homesteads and commercial dairies. Their high daily volume makes them the most economical dairy goat for households that consume large quantities of fresh goat milk. The breed's calm nature makes it well-suited to hand milking and handling by children.
The breed's low butterfat milk is better suited to fluid consumption than cheese production. Saanens are less cold-hardy than other Swiss breeds due to their shorter coat and pink skin, and they require shade and ventilation in hot climates. White coat color makes them prone to sunburn in exposed conditions.