Goats are intelligent, extremely skillful, but also very shy and careful, rather than docile and calm. They can react terribly to noises and fast unknown movements. They can learn very quickly; especially when it comes to enforcing their own needs. Since they are herd animals, at least two goats should always be kept together.
Since goats are very tough animals that survive in various harsh environmental conditions, there is sometimes the attitude, that these animals can be kept with a low-management effort. This leads to neglect and well-being problems. Goats are exploited for their meat, mohair and cashmere, and they suffer from a variety of welfare issues.
