In rural areas, goats contribute to the reduction of malnutrition through their production of milk and meat. A review of the zootechnical and reproductive performance of goat breeds in Benin was made from ninety (90) articles, papers and documents related to these goat breeds. The main data concern the taxonomy of goats, their origin, the importance of goat rearing, the description and zootechnical parameters of the goat breeds encountered in Benin. The main local goat breeds encountered in Benin were the dwarf or Djallonke, the Sahelian breed and the red goat of Maradi. The exotic breeds mentionned in this paper concern the Alpine and the Saanen breeds. The zootechnical and reproductive performances varied from one goat race to another, but satisfactory overall. It is worth to focus on the breeding of these short-cycle species in order to meet the ever increasing demand for meat products. Alternatives for improving the performance of local breeds in crossing with exotic breeds constitute some ways to explore in order to boost the production of milk and meat goats in Benin.