Dutch Landrace goats, known as Nederlandse Landgeit, are a traditional breed from the Netherlands. They have been present since the 17th century and share similarities with other Northwest European landraces.
These medium-sized goats are horned and preferably have long hair. All coat colors are acceptable, except for the typical Toggenburg pattern.
Historically, they were numerous, but their population declined in the early 20th century due to crossbreeding with imported Swiss Saanen and Toggenburg goats.
By the 1950s, the breed faced near extinction. Conservation efforts, including crossbreeding with unrelated goats, have since increased their numbers to over 2,000 by 2020.
Today, Dutch Landrace goats are primarily used for land management, grazing in national reserves and moors to maintain vegetation.
Their hardiness and adaptability make them well-suited for extensive farming systems.
The breed’s resurgence highlights the importance of preserving genetic diversity in livestock.
