Common Alpine (I)
Description
Medium-sized goat with a long body, light head with straight, pointed, and forward-facing ears. Lively expression. Variable coat color, solid-colored and spotted animals, gray, multicolored.
General and History
It still embodies the original, non-standardized type of Alpine goat, as it was widespread throughout the Alpine region before the standardized breeds existed until around 1900.
It represents the prototype of the so-called Alpine strain within the group of European goats, exhibiting great variability in size and performance characteristics.
Distribution in the past and today
Originally widespread throughout the entire Italian Alps, the Alpine foothills, and the adjacent hill country and high plains.
Today, it is found in the Piedmont region from Verbano to Cunese. It is also more prevalent in Lombardy on the western shore of Lake Como and in the Val Chiavenna and Valtellina valleys.
Utilization
Livestock raised for meat and milk. The milk is often left entirely for the kids and sometimes mixed with cow's milk to make cheese.
Keeping
Summer months on a mid- or high-alpine pasture
Breeding aims
Since the Alpina Comune naturally often resembles standardized breeds, it represents a valuable gene pool that can be used to renew, refresh and strengthen autochthonous breeds with animals of similar appearance.
Performance
Height: 75-80 cm (males), 65-70 cm (females)
Weight: 60-65 kg (males), 50-55 kg (females)
Milk yield of approximately 400-600 kg per lactation period of 180-270 days
Processing and products
Caprino, Toma, Raschera and Robiola cheeses
Violine – a ham from Tagen goat
Miscellaneous
The Alpine Comune carries within it a special genetic heritage of the Alps, embodying a colourful Alpine breed that has always been kept without strict selection criteria.
Literature
• Jaritz, G. (2014). Seltene Nutztiere der Alpen. Ed. Verlag Anton Pustet.
