Sharp’s Pack Goats Bred To Carry

2015 - Volume #39, Issue #6, Page #08

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For several years Dwite Sharp’s fast-paced occupation was designing and building Nascar race cars. He decided to get off the fast track 17 years ago when they moved to the Kansas countryside and began raising pack goats.
  “We lived in North Carolina and loved backpacking, but shouldering a 30-lb. pack was more difficult for me as I got older,” says Sharp. “I heard about pack goats and decided to raise a few animals to see if they’d do what people said they would. Now it’s a full time venture for us.”
   Sharp says they have more than 100 blood lines in their breeding program, and one goat may have several different blood lines in its pedigree. Their business concentrates on showing, educating, breeding and sales. Of the 14 trained pack animals they have now, 4 of them weigh about 300 lbs. and stand 40 to 42 in. tall at the withers. Sharp says a mature goat can carry about 25 percent of its body weight on average and he’s had some carry up to 35 percent. Weight is equally distributed in two Panniers tied to each side of the pack saddle.
  The Sharps have several breeding does, 4 breeding bucks and also use artificial insemination. Some of their does have up to 8 generations of Sharp breeding in their lineage. The family has worked hard to develop and improve herd genetics over the years, and now they’re considered one of if not the best breeding operation in the country. They’ve sold animals in several states and in 2013 even sold 4 to the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. Those animals perform various tricks, including jumping onto the back of a horse. In the summer of 2015 they sold and delivered 23 pack goat kids to Yellowstone National Park.
  Sharp says training pack goats is an on-going process that starts with bottle feeding kids shortly after they’re born. “We work hard on socializing and training them so they understand that their human pack leader is in charge. They’re intelligent though and are always testing us.” Kids less than a year old start by carrying a small dog pack without much weight. At 4 years old they’re at or near full weight bearing capacity. Sharp says experienced animals that know what’s expected of them are efficient, friendly and don’t complain about their work. They follow a lead goat and don’t require a leash to keep them together. Unlike horses and mules, pack goats can travel to any elevation and don’t require special feed on a trip. Sharp says they eat weeds and brush and only require fresh water.
   For someone who wants to raise pack goats, there’s a lot to consider. Sharp says meat goats can make good pack goats if the correct genetics are used. “Our Sabor Hybrids, which are a cross of Saanen and Boer, weigh more than 300 lbs. and stand more than 40 in. tall at the withers.”
   Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dwite Sharp, 1337 S. 1400 Road, Council Grove, Kan. 66846 (ph 620 767-7888).

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Sharp’s Pack Goats Bred To Carry LIVESTOCK Sheep/Goats For several years Dwite Sharp’s fast-paced occupation was designing and building Nascar race cars He decided to get off the fast track 17 years ago when they moved to the Kansas countryside and began raising pack goats “We lived in North Carolina and loved backpacking but shouldering a 30-lb pack was more difficult for me as I got older ” says Sharp “I heard about pack goats and decided to raise a few animals to see if they’d do what people said they would Now it’s a full time venture for us ” Sharp says they have more than 100 blood lines in their breeding program and one goat may have several different blood lines in its pedigree Their business concentrates on showing educating breeding and sales Of the 14 trained pack animals they have now 4 of them weigh about 300 lbs and stand 40 to 42 in tall at the withers Sharp says a mature goat can carry about 25 percent of its body weight on average and he’s had some carry up to 35 percent Weight is equally distributed in two Panniers tied to each side of the pack saddle The Sharps have several breeding does 4 breeding bucks and also use artificial insemination Some of their does have up to 8 generations of Sharp breeding in their lineage The family has worked hard to develop and improve herd genetics over the years and now they’re considered one of if not the best breeding operation in the country They’ve sold animals in several states and in 2013 even sold 4 to the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus Those animals perform various tricks including jumping onto the back of a horse In the summer of 2015 they sold and delivered 23 pack goat kids to Yellowstone National Park Sharp says training pack goats is an on-going process that starts with bottle feeding kids shortly after they’re born “We work hard on socializing and training them so they understand that their human pack leader is in charge They’re intelligent though and are always testing us ” Kids less than a year old start by carrying a small dog pack without much weight At 4 years old they’re at or near full weight bearing capacity Sharp says experienced animals that know what’s expected of them are efficient friendly and don’t complain about their work They follow a lead goat and don’t require a leash to keep them together Unlike horses and mules pack goats can travel to any elevation and don’t require special feed on a trip Sharp says they eat weeds and brush and only require fresh water For someone who wants to raise pack goats there’s a lot to consider Sharp says meat goats can make good pack goats if the correct genetics are used “Our Sabor Hybrids which are a cross of Saanen and Boer weigh more than 300 lbs and stand more than 40 in tall at the withers ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Dwite Sharp 1337 S 1400 Road Council Grove Kan 66846 ph 620 767-7888

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