That's a LaMancha - they have no ears. They are great milkers.
I have Nigerian Dwarfs...
I have Alpine milking does...
And, I have Nubian milking does...
I've only got a picture of my momma and her doeling...
I LOVE all my goats. My NDs are allowed the run of the place during the day (when we are home) and they are like puppies. They follow me everywhere and get into, onto, under, above, over, through and on top of everything. If you chose a small breed and want to milk, then get ND's from a milking line... not all NDs have good milking genetics and you want the best teats possible when they are that small to begin with.
Pygmies are not known for their milk but are great pets.
My Alpines and Nubians are allowed out only on occasion and they also follow me around. They are not allowed to run because I milk them and when they eat weeds, etc. it changes the flavor of their milk. Thus, I keep them contained in a large fenced area and feed them the same feed every day. Again, if you think you want to milk in the future start out with the best quality milking doe(s) you can afford. Check out as many local farms (even if they only have one or two milkers) to ask questions and see how they do things. It really helps to learn when you can have hands on and visual help.
I've heard that Nubians are more vocal than other goat breeds. Mine have certainly proven that true. It doesn't matter to me as my barn is far enough from the house that I don't hear them unless I'm outside but it's something to consider. My ND's are actually the most vocal.. if they even think I'm coming outside they start yelling for me and don't stop until I'm with them or have gone back into the house.
Whether you want to milk or not I'd say go with the breed that you like the looks of the most. Some people don't like LaManchas because of the no ears, some people don't like Nubians because of the Roman nose.... some people love them for those features. You have to decide.
Also, if you don't want to milk, wethers make great pets and breeders often have a harder time placing them in good homes. Make sure you get two goats no matter what breed(s) you get. They are very social and need to have the company of another goat.
Some people will say that you have to get a bottle fed baby to have friendly goats. That's absolutely not true. IF the kid was raised with lots of people contact they will be just as "in your lap" as bottle raised babies. None of mine were bottle raised and they are all very, very friendly. Now, it would make a difference if the kid didn't have much human interaction through it's growing up.
Finally, the very first thing you need to do is to have the best, most goat proof fencing ready for them before you bring them home.
Have fun learning and researching and then bringing home your new goats.
