DNA Verification – Why Lals Haven Goat Stud Chose This Path
One of the questions we are often asked is:
“Why do you DNA test your pygmy goats?”
The simple answer is that it is our choice and one of the ways we provide confidence and peace of mind to our buyers.
Every breeder has different goals, different breeding programs and different opinions. We genuinely respect that. There is no right or wrong approach—only the direction each stud chooses to take.
Our Journey
Many years ago, I knew absolutely nothing about DNA testing in goats.
Like many people, I started with a few miniature goats. I spent countless hours learning how to care for them, understanding kidding, and simply enjoying having them around. Most of my early goats stood between 50–60 cm tall and were what I would call larger miniature goats.
As time went on, I became fascinated with pygmy goats. I slowly transitioned into miniature cross pygmies while researching the different breeding societies and trying to understand why they all had slightly different requirements and breeding goals.
I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion because we all have different visions for our herds.
The Turning Point
Eventually, I decided to invest what was, for me, a significant amount of money—$2,500 for a single breeding doe.
I was told she was 65% pygmy, she looked the part, and she came with registration papers.
When I later wanted to register her with another society, I was informed that she would need to be DNA parent verified.
I thought, “That’s easy enough.”
I offered to organise and pay for the DNA testing myself. All I needed were hair samples from the registered sire and dam.
Unfortunately, despite repeated requests, I never received the samples.
I even attempted to contact the new owner of the sire listed on the registration papers, hoping they could provide a hair sample, but again I had no success.
That experience completely changed my thinking.
It wasn’t that I believed the paperwork was necessarily incorrect—I simply realised that I could no longer prove the pedigree that I had paid for.
That was a very expensive lesson, but it became the turning point for Lals Haven Goat Stud.
Our Commitment
From that day forward, I made a commitment that I wanted future buyers to have the confidence that I didn’t have.
Today, every goat at Lals Haven Goat Stud has its own individual DNA profile, and all of our breeding goats are also tested for Myotonia.
Within our herd you will find three different DNA levels:
- DNA Profile – the goat has its own unique DNA identification.
- Parent Verified – the goat’s sire and dam have been confirmed through DNA.
- Fully DNA Verified – the goat’s complete pedigree has been verified through multiple generations, providing confidence in the documented family tree.
Why Do We Invest in Fully DNA Verified Goats?
For us, it comes down to one thing:
Confidence.
When we sell a fully DNA verified pygmy goat, we can confidently say:
- These are the parents.
- These are the grandparents.
- This is the documented family tree that has been verified through DNA.
We believe this creates an important point of difference for our stud !
It adds another level of confidence for buyers and helps explain why some of our goats carry greater value by having a point of difference.
Does Every Goat Need to Be DNA Verified?
Not at all.
Many registered goats have accurate pedigrees even though they have never undergone DNA verification.
DNA testing does not suggest that goats without DNA verification are incorrectly registered.
For us, DNA simply provides another layer of certainty by matching the paperwork with scientific parentage verification.
Giving Buyers a Choice
At Lals Haven Goat Stud, we believe buyers should understand the differences and choose what best suits their own goals.
That is why we offer goats with three different DNA options:
- DNA Profile
- Parent Verified DNA
- Fully DNA Verified
Each buyer can decide which level best suits their breeding program, budget and future plans.
Every Goat Is Valued
Whether a goat has a DNA profile, is parent verified or is fully DNA verified, every goat at Lals Haven Goat Stud is equally loved, cared for and treasured.
DNA status does not determine the quality of care our animals receive.
It is simply one part of our breeding program and one of the ways we have chosen to invest in the future of our stud.
We respect every breeder’s decisions and wish everyone success with the direction they choose for their own herds.
For us, DNA verification is about offering buyers confidence, transparency and choice—and we are proud to stand behind every goat we breed.
To read more about DNA or not to DNA –
https://lalshaven.au/dna-or-no-dna/
How the pygmy goat percentage is calculated?
Whatever the sire and dam are you add togetehr and then half for the kid value.
EG- Sire 90% / Dam 90% = 180 therefore the kid is going to be 90% pygmy
To view our latest Fully DNA Verified pygmy goats please click here – https://lalshaven.au/pictures-and-videos-from-july-3/
They are truly spectacular !