In the United States, Guernsey goats are a relatively new breed. While only one closed herd of purebred Golden Guernsey (GG) goats exists in the United States, through dedication and commitment several American breeders have used imported and domestic GG semen, GG bucks, British Guernsey (BG) bucks, and Herd Book 2 (HB2) bucks to produce Guernsey goats through breeding up programs.
A breeding up program involves the use of a foundation dairy doe and semen from a purebred or British Guernsey sire in order to introduce Guernsey genetics into the lineage. Each successive generation is also bred to an HB2, BG or GG buck and, therefore, the Guernsey genetics are increased until the status of British Guernsey is reached.
To be registered as a BG, one parent may be a GG and one a BG, both parents may be BG, OR three of the four grandparents must be a GG or a BG and the sire or dam of the fourth must also be a GG or BG.
These steps will also contribute to breeding up for the ADGA herdbook, expected to be available in 2018. There will be an open herdbook with ADGA patterned after the LaMancha Herdbook. ADGA requires that three successive generations meet breed standard for females to be American of the breed. It takes one additional generation for males to be American of the breed. With an open Purebred herdbook it takes an additional 3 generations to reach Purebred status. HB1 females will be the equivalent of 1st generation American Guernseys. HB2 and BG(1) males and females will also be American Guernseys. If both parents are BG, the offspring will be Purebred Guernseys in the ADGA herdbook.
ADGA will permit crosses with Nubians and LaManchas, however, due to incorrect ear type it will take longer to produce an animal meeting breed standard than crosses with Swiss-type breeds. The generations count begins with the first animal meeting breed standard. ADGA will not permit crosses with miniature breeds (Nigerian Dwarf or Pygmy) fiber (Angora & Cashmere), or meat breeds (Boer, Spanish, Kiko, Savannah, Myotonic etc.).
The steps of the breeding up program are illustrated below. (These photos showing the direct lineage of a breeding up program are courtesy of Joan Stump. Each goat is the offspring of the previous goat.)
If one parent is HB2, 3 of the four grandparents must be BG or GG.