Goats Or Sheep: Who’s Smarter, Sassier & More Likely To Escape?

Let me settle a debate for you, because yes, people who visit our micro-farm in Millersville, MD actually ask this: “Who’s smarter, goats or sheep?” And while I could give you a quick answer, the truth is, if you’ve ever spent time with both like we have here at Hansel Hill Farm… you know it’s not just about smarts. It’s about personality.

We love them both. But they are not the same.

Who’s Smarter? (Spoiler: It’s The Goat)

Let’s just say this: if you want an animal that can solve puzzles, open latches, climb where it shouldn’t, and learn your body language faster than a toddler with a cookie jar, get a goat.

Goats are curious, bold, and quick thinkers. They’re found to outperform sheep and alpacas in memory and problem-solving tasks. They successfully learn and can remember the location of food rewards, recognize their names (most of the time), and aren’t afraid to test boundaries… literal and otherwise. We’ve had goats figure out how to push gates open, knock over feed buckets, and scale hay bales stacked way too high.

Sheep? Not so much—at least not in the goat sense. But they’re absolutely intelligent, just in a quieter, more instinct-driven way. They’re wired for group survival. They know who to follow, they move together as one, and they keep a respectful distance until they feel safe. Once they trust you, though? You’ll have a loyal shadow in the pasture.

And science backs them up. Research shows that sheep can recognize and remember faces, both other sheep and humans, for extended periods. They’ve even been taught to navigate complex mazes, showing off their learning and memory capabilities. It’s a softer kind of wisdom, but no less real.

Are they going to outsmart a fence? No. But that doesn’t mean they don’t know who opens it.

The Sass Factor

If animals had horoscopes, goats would be fiery little Aries. They’re the class clowns of the animal petting farm—always into something, always making us laugh. They’ll nibble your shirt hem, pose for your photos, and try to steal the snack you didn’t know was in your pocket.

Sheep are the opposite. They’re gentle, calm, and observant. They’ll hang back and wait to see what the goat does first (usually wisely). But when a sheep loves you? It’s quiet, constant, and deeply sweet. There’s nothing like a soft wooly nudge from a sheep who trusts you.

So who wins the sass battle? Goats, hands down. But sheep win for sweetness and soul.

Escape Artists & Farm Security Threats

We have a saying here: if something on the farm gets broken into, out of, or over—it was a goat.

Goats are renowned for their escape artistry. Their natural curiosity and climbing abilities make them adept at finding weaknesses in enclosures. Most breeds can jump over or climb fences, open latches, and squeeze through small gaps, necessitating secure and well-designed fencing to contain them. 

No offense to our boys, but they are relentless. If a latch isn’t clicked just right, or if there’s a weakness in the fence, they’ll find it. We’ve even had goats on our deck knocking on the sliding glass door with their heads. You learn quickly to double-check your locks and make sure the gates are locked behind you.

Sheep? They’re more likely to stay where the food is. They don’t go looking for trouble, and that’s a blessing.

We Keep Both Goats & Sheep On Our Micro-Farm in Millersville, MD.

Honestly, we need them both. Goats keep us on our toes and remind us to laugh. Sheep remind us to breathe and slow down.

Goats are for the visitors who love a little mischief. Sheep are for the ones who just want a gentle nuzzle and a peaceful moment.

When you visit Hansel Hill Farm, whether you’re here for one of our birthday parties, a school field trip, or you just googled “animal petting farm near me” and found us, you’ll get to experience both sides of the barnyard. The boisterous bleats of the goats, the soft stares of the sheep, and the harmony that happens when everyone’s just being who they are.

So who’s smarter? Who’s better?

That’s like asking a farmer to pick a favorite child. You’ll have to come see for yourself.

Want to meet our herd?

We’d love to have you visit our micro-farm in Millersville, MD. Follow us on Facebook or check out upcoming events on the farm. Bring the kids, bring your camera, and maybe bring an extra snack… just keep it hidden from the goats.