ABSTRACT
According to the Ethiopian sheep and goat productivity improvement programme, there are key identifying physical characteristics that distinguish a breed. The key characteristics that should be observed or measured to identify the breeds of goat population in Ethiopia are coat colour, body size, ear and horn and facial profile. DNA level genetic differences and variations in physical characteristics show that there are four families and twelve breeds of goats in Ethiopia. Phenotypically, the goat population in the Gumara-Maksegnit watershed area can be characterized by white coat colour in a plain pattern followed by red with white colour in patchy and spotted patterns. Pearson's correlation coefficients between body weight and other linear measurements were computed for the population within each sex and dentition group to see the relationship. Heart girth and body length were the variables found to fit best in predicting the live weight of goats when all age categories and both sexes of the goat population were pooled.
