LaMancha (goat)

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LaMancha Doe

The LaMancha is a type of dairy goat noted for its 'lack' of or much reduced external ears. The La Mancha breed is medium in size, and is also noted for a generally calm, quiet and gentle temperament, high butterfat content to the milk and good production.

The LaMancha goat was developed in the 1930's in Oregon by Eula F. Frey when she crossed some short-eared goats of unknown background with her outstanding Swiss and Nubian Bucks. The La Mancha has excellent dairy temperament and is an all-around sturdy animal that can withstand a great deal of hardship and still produce. Through official testing this breed has established itself in milk production with high butterfat.

The LaMancha face can be flat or Roman with the minuscule ears being the distinctive breed characteristic. There are two types of LaMancha ears, described as follows:

gopher ear: The external ear is very small and appears to be 'shriveled'. There is no fold and the external ear must not exceed 1 inch. This is the only type of ear which will make bucks eligible for registration.
elf ear: The end of the ear must be turned up or turned down to form a small fold which may not exceed 1/4 inch. La Manchas with a fold exceeding the allowed length cannot be registered as purebred animals.

Any color or combination of colors is acceptable with no preferences. The hair is short, fine and glossy.

[edit] Ears

LaManchas do have ears; that is to say an auditory canal, etc. It is the pinna that is visibly shrunken. It is not usually possible to use ear tags or ear tattoos for identification of individual La Mancha goats.