Valais Blackneck
The Valais Blackneck is a Swiss mountain goat from the canton of Valais, called Walliser Schwarzhalsziege in German and chevre col noir du Valais in French. Its most recognizable feature is the sharp division between black head and forequarters and white hindquarters, carried under a long, shaggy coat. Both sexes are commonly horned, and the breed has the rangy frame, strong legs, and sure-footedness expected of goats developed in Alpine grazing systems. It is kept for meat, some milk, landscape grazing, heritage breeding, and exhibition, especially where the clean color break is maintained.
The long coat protects in cold weather but can collect burrs, mud, and manure in lowland paddocks, so dry lying areas and periodic grooming are useful. Valais Blacknecks need firm fencing, regular hoof care, and careful handling around horns, particularly in mixed herds or public farm settings. Breeders usually select for a clean color break, dense hair, sound feet, and does that rear kids reliably. Outside the Alpine region, prospective keepers should check local availability and registry expectations, since true Valais Blackneck stock is less common than similarly marked crossbred goats.
Colors: Belted, Black, Black and White, Black Front Half with Pure White Rear Half Only, Brown, Brown and White, Buckskin, Chamoisee, Cou Blanc, Cou Clair, Cream, Fawn, Gold, Moonspotted, Pinto, Red, Red and White, Roan, Spotted, Sundgau, Swiss Marked, Tan, White
