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Science & Technology

Goats would make good pets, say scientists

By T.K. Randall
July 6, 2016 · Comment icon 17 comments

Would you keep a goat as a pet ? Image Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0 Fir002
New research has suggested that goats are actually just as loving and intelligent as dogs and cats.
They might not seem like the most obvious choice when it comes to picking a pet, but according to researchers from the Queen Mary University of London, goats are actually very clever and are capable of communicating with humans in much the same way as cats and dogs do.

During a recent experiment, the team found that goats will stare longingly at their owners when they are having difficulty completing a task - a behavior also seen in dogs but not in wolves.

Goats are even able to solve complex problems such as figuring out how to break in to a box using levers - a task that is typically used as a way to gauge intelligence in primates.
"Goats gaze at humans in the same way as dogs do when asking for a treat that is out of reach," said study co-author Dr Christian Nawroth.

"Our results provide strong evidence for complex communication directed at humans in a species that was domesticated primarily for agricultural production, and show similarities with animals bred to become pets or working animals, such as dogs and horses."

Whether goats will ever actually become common household pets however remains to be seen.

Source: Australian Network News | Comments (17)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #8 Posted by Aardvark-DK 8 years ago
Ok, when dog is unwanted you have to give him away, when goat gets unwanted - Goat Kabob...I rest my case....can goats make a good bbq ?
Comment icon #9 Posted by BeastieRunner 8 years ago
Goats are pretty smart most of the time.
Comment icon #10 Posted by DieChecker 8 years ago
As someone who has some goats, I'd say they are not on par with a dog. The dog recognizes you as leader, and is affectionate partly because of that. The goats just seem to think that we're just there to feed them. They seem to regard me as an especially big dog, and not a fellow goat. Though I think my beard would put me firmly into the goat camp many times. We lost two little goats to some kind of cat.. probably a wandering cougar. The plan is to get a few more baby ones soon. They do do a good job eating down the berry bushes. Also eat the flowers though... 
Comment icon #11 Posted by danielost 8 years ago
they chip livestock.  will chip humans, thus the mark of the beast.
Comment icon #12 Posted by danielost 8 years ago
shouldn't use pets as food.  I decided this in the 80s when I watched a pet cow get shot in the head.
Comment icon #13 Posted by Sundew 8 years ago
I'm leaning toward the pet rock. No feeding, litter box, pooper scooper, barking, scratching, fur balls, fleas or allergies. I think I'll name you Sylvester Stallone. Sit. Stay. Good boy!
Comment icon #14 Posted by Ozfactor 8 years ago
they are wonderful pets, they recycle almost anything and the milk and cheese is great . and goats, octopus, sheep and toads have this same rectangle shape eye and through the wonders of science, you can too , goat eye contacts !
Comment icon #15 Posted by CrimsonKing 8 years ago
I've known two people who had goats and can say those animals are natures trouble makers lol
Comment icon #16 Posted by White Unicorn 8 years ago
I never had a goat but neighbors did. They were nice but as a pet I don't like something that eats everything in sight including clothing. All animals are smarter than given credit if we take them in a as a pet. My spouse has a cocker spaniel that we often call the fat goat.  He also eats everything insight even when not hungry. He's still traumatized from other owners ignoring him in crate after being an unwanted Christmas pet, he was on his way to be put down at pound by owner and we were asked to take him in. He has eaten, carpets, plaster, light bulbs, razor blades, bones, frogs, birds, c... [More]
Comment icon #17 Posted by danielost 8 years ago
they like to play push a war.


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