What Are Oberhasli Goats? Meet the Herd Behind Our Soap

If you've ever visited our Instagram or browsed our soap page, you've probably seen our goats. They're a big part of the homestead — and an even bigger part of our hearts. But people ask us all the time: “What kind of goats are those?”

They're Oberhasli goats — a Swiss dairy breed known for their gentle temperament, striking bay-and-black coloring, and rich, sweet milk. Here's everything you'd want to know about them.

Origin and history

Oberhasli goats (pronounced OH-ber-hah-slee) originated in the Oberhasli district of the Bernese Alps in Switzerland. They were brought to the United States in the early 1900s and were originally grouped with other Swiss breeds under the name “Swiss Alpine.” In 1978, they were recognized as their own distinct breed by the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA).

What do they look like?

Oberhaslis have a distinctive “chamoisee” coloring — a warm bay (reddish-brown) body with black markings on the face, dorsal stripe, belly, and legs. They're medium-sized, alert, and graceful. Their ears are upright and forward-facing, giving them an attentive, curious expression.

Why we chose Oberhaslis for our homestead

When we started Mother's Love Homestead, we knew we wanted dairy goats for soap making. We chose Oberhaslis for several reasons:

• Gentle temperament: They're calm, friendly, and easy to handle — important when you're milking at 4 AM every morning.
• Rich, sweet milk: Oberhasli milk has a naturally sweet, mild flavor with a good butterfat content — perfect for soap making.
• Steady production: Our herd produces milk year-round with no seasonal drop-off, giving us a consistent supply for our soap and skincare products.
• Hardy and healthy: They do well in the South Georgia climate and are generally healthy, low-maintenance animals.

Our herd

We currently have 11 Oberhasli goats on our homestead in Americus, Georgia. They're milked every morning at 4 AM. The milk is filtered, weighed, and frozen before being used in our goat milk soap and skincare products.

Each goat has a name and a personality. They're part of the family — and if you follow us on Instagram, you'll see them regularly stealing the show.

What is Oberhasli goat milk used for?

Oberhasli milk is prized for its sweetness and richness. On our homestead, we use it primarily for:

• Goat milk soap: Our handcrafted bars are made with fresh Oberhasli milk, coconut oil, olive oil, and essential oils. The milk makes the soap incredibly creamy and gentle.
• Tallow skincare: Some of our tallow products incorporate goat milk for added nourishment.

Oberhasli milk is also excellent for drinking, cheese making, and yogurt — though we focus on skincare products here at the homestead.

Oberhasli goats vs. other dairy breeds

Compared to more common dairy breeds like Nubians or Saanens, Oberhaslis are quieter, calmer, and produce milk with a milder flavor. Nubians are known for higher butterfat but can be vocal. Saanens produce more volume but with lower butterfat. Oberhaslis hit a sweet spot — good production, sweet milk, and a temperament that makes daily milking a peaceful part of the morning routine.

FAQ

Are Oberhasli goats good for beginners?

Yes! Their calm temperament and manageable size make them a great choice for first-time goat owners. They're friendly, easy to train for milking, and generally healthy.

How much milk does an Oberhasli goat produce?

An average Oberhasli doe produces about 1–1.5 gallons of milk per day during peak lactation. Our herd gives us a steady, year-round supply.

Can I visit the goats?

We're planning homestead tours — follow us on Instagram to be the first to know when they launch!

Do you sell goat milk?

We don't sell raw milk at this time. All of our goat milk goes into our handcrafted soap and skincare products, available on Etsy.