| Abaza | |
| Status: | At risk[1] |
| Also Known As: | Abkhasian, Abkhazskaya |
| Country: | Turkey |
| Distribution: | NE Turkey |
| Use: | Milk, Meat |
| Horns: | Males horned, females usually hornless |
| Beard: | Males bearded |
| Tassels: | Without tassels |
The Abaza is an indigenous breed of goat from north-east Turkey. They are used for dairying,[2] but also have relatively good meat production.[3] Due to its small population size, there is a high degree of inbreeding within this breed, placing it "at risk".[4]
Their hair is short, soft and pinkish-white in colour, with coloured markings around the mouth, eyes and on the legs. The males have long, flat, scimitar-shaped horns, while the females are usually polled.
As dairy goats, this breed has well-developed udders, and an average lactation yield of around 200kg (400lb). The milk produced from Abaza goats is used to create Abaza cheese, a nationally and internationally renowned semi-hard, lightly salted cheese.