Mini Oberhasli vs Oberhasli

These are not the same breed.

Mini Oberhasli carries the Oberhasli name and its bay coloring, so buyers searching "mini oberhasli" often do not know whether it is a small Oberhasli or a separate registered breed.

Mini Oberhasli is a registered Nigerian Dwarf x Oberhasli cross under MDGA/TMGR, capped at 27 in (doe) and 29 in (buck), and cannot be registered with ADGA as an Oberhasli. Oberhasli is one of ADGA's nine standard dairy breeds, with an ADGA minimum of 28 in (doe) and 30 in (buck).

Oberhasli is one of ADGA's nine standard dairy breeds, with an ADGA minimum of 28 in (doe) and 30 in (buck). Mini Oberhasli is a registered Nigerian Dwarf x Oberhasli cross under MDGA/TMGR, capped at 27 in (doe) and 29 in (buck), and cannot be registered with ADGA as an Oberhasli.

Registered by (Mini Oberhasli)

Registered by (Oberhasli)

Mini Oberhasli is a dairy breed. Oberhasli is a dairy breed. They are registered by different bodies and judged to different standards.

Both are dairy.

Size class
Miniature1
Standard2
Mature doe weight
80–120 lb3
120 lb or more2
Mature buck weight
145–165 lb3
150 lb or more2
Height at withers (doe)
up to 27 in4
28 in or more2
Height at withers (buck)
up to 29 in4
30 in or more2

Our sources give a registry minimum for Oberhasli and a typical range or figure for Mini Oberhasli. Those answer different questions and we don't compare them directly.

Build and conformation

Coat type
Smooth4
Smooth2
Coat length
Not found in our sources*
Short2
Ears
Erect4
Erect2
Facial profile
Varies4
Varies2
Distinguishing features
Rich red bay coat with black chamois markings (bucks must be red bay), Short, wide head with deep jaw and broad muzzle, inherited from standard Oberhasli, Ear shorter and set lower than other Swiss-type minis5
Rich red bay 'chamois' color with black facial stripes and leg markings, Calm, quiet disposition2

They differ most on coat length, distinguishing features.

1 more field with no figure for either breed

Milk

Average lactation yield
Not found in our sources*
1,995 lb6
Lactation yield range
1,002 lb or more7
1,120–3,050 lb6
Butterfat
Not found in our sources*
3.7%6
Protein
Not found in our sources*
3%6
Milking temperament
Not found in our sources*
Docile2

Our sources publish a lactation yield figure for Oberhasli and not for Mini Oberhasli. That is a difference in what has been recorded, not evidence that Mini Oberhasli has none.

1 more field with no figure for either breed

Temperament and handling

Docility
Docile4
Docile2
Temperament tags
Docile, Alert4
Docile, Calm2
Handler experience level
Not found in our sources*
Good for a first-timer8

Our sources describe both in the same terms.

Breeding

Litter size
Not found in our sources*
1–4 kids9
Breeding season
Extended season breeder5
Not found in our sources*

1 more field with no figure for either breed

Availability

Conservation status
Not listed (The Livestock Conservancy, 2026)10
Recovering (The Livestock Conservancy, 2026)10

Neither breed has a published availability figure in our sources.

1 more field with no figure for either breed

Which one fits you

Good for (Mini Oberhasli)

  • Milk for the house
  • Frequent handling and children around the pen
  • Low-input, outdoor-heavy setups

Not for (Mini Oberhasli)

  • Fiber production

Good for (Oberhasli)

  • Milk for the house
  • Showing
  • First-time goat keepers
  • Frequent handling and children around the pen
  • Hand milking

Not for (Oberhasli)

  • Meat
  • Fiber production
  • Hot climates

Why people mix them up

Mini Oberhasli carries the Oberhasli name and its bay coloring, so buyers searching "mini oberhasli" often do not know whether it is a small Oberhasli or a separate registered breed.

Sources (10)
  1. Breed Standards - Miniature Dairy Goat Association · breed registry / association, retrieved 2026-09-05
  2. ADGA Breed Standards · breed registry / association, retrieved 2026-09-05
  3. TMGR Member Handbook · breed registry / association, retrieved 2026-09-05
  4. Mini Oberhasli Breed Standard - MDGA · breed registry / association, retrieved 2026-09-05
  5. Breed Standards | tmgronline (TMGR) · breed registry / association, retrieved 2026-09-05
  6. Penn State Extension, Dairy Goat Production (Table 2, 2019 DHIR data) · university extension, retrieved 2026-09-05 (as of 2019)
  7. Milk Test How To | tmgronline (TMGR) · breed registry / association, retrieved 2026-09-05
  8. Heritage Goat Breed Comparison Chart - The Livestock Conservancy · peer-reviewed / government / conservation body, retrieved 2026-09-05
  9. Oberhasli Goat - The Livestock Conservancy · peer-reviewed / government / conservation body, retrieved 2026-09-07
  10. Conservation Priority List - The Livestock Conservancy · peer-reviewed / government / conservation body, retrieved 2026-09-05 (as of 2026)