Meet the Royal Winter Fair's most charming goat enthusiast
'They're kind of like people,' herdsman Jonathan Dugdale says
Not every teenager can rattle off what sets Nubian and Lamancha goats apart.
But then again, not every teenager is a herdsman like Jonathan Dugdale.
"Each goat has their own personality," he told CBC News in an interview.
They're fun to be around, they're fun to play with. They're kind of like people to you.- Jonathan Dugdale
"They're fun to be around, they're fun to play with. They're kind of like people to you."
Dugdale is a herdsman with Frankie's Goats in Smithville, Ontario. He's in Toronto to show his animals at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, which he described as "nerve-wracking."
"Showing goats can be quite competitive," he explained.
But Dugdale didn't have to be nervous — one of his goats, named Sharon, won him first prize overall in the showmanship class event.
"I feel like I'm on cloud nine," said Dugdale, who hopes to compete at next year's Royal Winter Fair as well.
Dugdale's goats are among about 500 other goats and sheep at the fair, a small subset of the approximately 5,000 animals on display each year.
He's also hoping to offer some education to Torontonians who might not know much about his favourite animal.
For example: the Lamancha goat, with its characteristic small ears.
"A lot of people have the misconception that we cut their ears off. But they are born with small ears," he said.
Fight to be 'royal champion'
Teaching is part of the broader goal of the fair.
"Our mandate is to bring an education on Canadian agriculture," said Karen Poncelet, marketing manager for the event.
All of the animals are in Toronto to compete, she explained. All are vying to be crowned "royal champion."
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs from Nov. 4 to Nov. 13.