Colored Saanen

[mulawin]

We recently had a surprise in the farm as our white-colored Snubian (50% Saanen and 50% Anglo Nubian) sired by a white-colored purebred Saanen gave birth to a colored Snubian. Normally, a Saanen buck and an Anglo Nubian doe produces a white or tan colored kid/s. I did some research and found out that colored Snubians are not at all impossible. They do happen. I saw one (or shall I say two as they are twins) from Tiny Colors Farm in Ramona, California. Please refer to the attachment.

On the other hand, could this kid be a sable? Sables are colored Saanens other than white or tan. According to studies, only 5% of Sannens produce colored offsprings. Early Saanen breeders limited Saanen standard to white or tan and tried to eliminate other colors. They considered other colors as defect. These breeders even went to the extent of castrating colored Saanens. It was only in the late 1980s that Sables were recognized as a standard breed. Sables are not a common breed, however, they are also prolific milkers like their white-colored sisters, the Saanens.

Attachments:

[Ting]

The gene for white color of Saanens are dominant. Recessive color genes can manifest anytime. More so as you are dealing with Saanen Anglo cross where a certain percentage of genes are coming from the Anglo that are usually colored.

[mulawin]

Though the dominant gene is that of the Saanen at 75%, there is still that possibility of having the Anglo gene alter the outcome of the color. We are going to monitor how this young buckling comes when it matures. That is what amazes us with goats, there are always surprises.

[zunivlafarm]

My upgraded white native doe produced one black saanen doeling and one white buckling. It's also a surprise since my buck is 87.5%AGF Saanen. Also the other doe with black stripe delivered 2 bucklings, the color is pure white and the other one is pure black. Do i need to upgrade my buck to maintain the standard color white of saanen breed. thanks... Al