The Saanen is a Swiss breed of dairy goat generally regarded as the largest of the dairy breeds as well as the heaviest milk producer. The world record holder for milk production is a Saanen from Australia, named Osory Snow Goose , she milked 7,714 lbs. (3,499 l.) of milk in 365 days. The Saanen is a docile, yet business-like animal that seems to live to eat and to make milk. According to some breeders who raise three or four breeds, the Saanens are the most adaptable. They do well on rough graze and excel when fed high quality hay and ample concentrates. Saanens are often considered the Holstein of dairy goats.

Saanens are white or light cream in color, white is preferred. Black spots on the skin are allowable, but black spots of color in the hair are frowned upon, especially if more than 1.5 in. across. Because the breed developed from other Swiss breeds, the recessive gene for color sometimes causes kids of an unacceptabel color to be born.

A new breed, the Sable Saanen , is now being developed in the U.S. as a result of this recessive trait. However the Sable Saanen really looks more like a black Toggenburg or a British Alpine. Saanens may or may not have wattles.

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