If you think that beauty standards are only made for humans then you must not have heard about beauty contests for animals, especially the ones among camels, cats, and goats. The best part about the contest – they get super valued when the contestants are gorgeous and for goats, it is a different game.
A goat contest named Mazayen Al Maaz was held on June 13, 2008, Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, that prized Qahr – Damascus Goat as the Most Beautiful Goat which however is known as the world’s ugliest goat on the internet. Well, nobody says anything without a reason, there are few unusual characteristics of this goat that have compelled everyone to dislike it.
Primarily, the Damascus goats are used for milk production and breeding purposes. They produce butter and fat in excellent quality and quantities than any other goat’s milk and fulfill other requirements like leather and meat as well. If the goat is serving its purpose then why is it disliked by everyone?
When the animal is born, it seems lovable and cute but after crossing a certain age, it becomes a monstrous size with a bulgy nose that could effortlessly scare everyone. However, A fascinating fact about these goats is, they are rare on planet earth hence, making them one of the most valued animals out there with prices going up to $67,000 as per the dealers. So, yes, it is true! These ugly goats cost a fortune to buy.
The Damascus goats originated in the middle east and have various names like Baladi, Halep, Damascene, Shami, and Chami. Not only this, these goats were mentioned in classics of Arabic Literature and appear in the folklore and religion of the region as well. As per some sources, in the nineteenth century, the British brought these goats to Cyprus where they were bred and raised in massive quantities and got the name Damascus. They used to export these goats for a handsome exchange.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOAT:
- Damascus goats are of Nubian origin, which is a crossbreed of British and Indian goat breeds. The goats of this breed are suitable for domestic purposes and are perfect for goat shows as they are strong and beautiful in looks.
- Moreover, the breeding season of these goats is quite long, so you can get plenty of milk for a long time. They can tolerate hot climates well so you do not have to worry about their habitat.
- They love grazing on leaves, green grasses, corn, and everything that they find in their vast habitat in the green fields.
- If we talk about their appearance, they are large with long brown-red hair and often seen in grey color as well either polled or horned.
- Their fully grown version is quite heavier in weight and has a long neck and legs while the head is relatively small in size like the rest of the breeds.
- The Damascus buck normally weighs nearly 70 – 80 kgs.
SPECIAL FACTS:
- Despite the rare beauty it holds, the goat has some striking characteristics. It is described as noble due to its origin and its genes. That is why these goats are mostly used to produce many other well-known breeds to be sold at higher prices. If given proper care, it is capable of giving 4-5 kids in one pregnancy.
- Not only do they produce superior quality milk which is famous for having good digestion properties but the quantity they produce is surprisingly good, that’s 1.5 kg milk per day. Their milk can cure digestive problems that occurred due to other dairy products.
- They are of short temperament compared to other goats but are passive.
- The pregnant and show goats are fed diligently to keep their nutrition balanced.
CONCLUSION:
Damascus Goats are easy to manage due to their calm behavior and offer big-time benefits due its high commercial value and quality produce. These goats can tolerate frequent changes in climates but become very productive during hot climates. Apart from this, raising Damascus goats is a very joyful experience one can have. They express their emotions by making noise. They make a good pet if you take good care of their housing and feeding. They are obedient like human infants and thoroughly enjoy human interaction.