Before buying a dairy goat:

• Visit herds to see all the dairy goat breeds, then decide which one is for you. 
• Consider the pros and cons of buying a kid, dry yearling, or milker.
• Visit goat shows, ADGA or local club meetings and ask lots of questions.
• Taste the milk produced at the herd you are considering buying your goat from.
• Prepare a safe, sheltered, ventilated pen, plus an exercise yard and/or safe pasture.
• Dog-proof fencing should be used to enclose the pasture and poisonous plants (milkweed, sheep laurel, black cherry, and nightshade) should be destroyed.
• All dairy goats purchased should be disbudded.
• Ask for recent CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis) testing results and a Caseous Lymphadenitis vet check before purchasing your animal.

Source:  Dairy Goat Handbook