Heart rate, plasma cortisol concentration and behavioral observations are often used to evaluate effects of stressors, but less is known about changes in blood pressure. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were registered telemetrically in goats to study their response to a predator (an unfamiliar dog) walking close to their cages during 15 min. Behavior was noted and blood samples were taken for determination of hematocrit (HT) and cortisol concentrations. The goats were studied during pregnancy and then during lactation with their kids present. Mean blood pressure increased from 87 ± 2 to 103 ± 1 mmHg (pregnancy; P<0.001) and from 93 ± 3 to 101 ± 2 mmHg (lactation; P<0.001). The HR increased from 117 ± 2 to 125 ± 1 beats/min (P<0.001) during pregnancy, but remained at 106 ± 2 beats/min during lactation. The HT increased from 28 ± 1 to 33 ± 1 % (pregnancy; P <0.001) and from 31 ± 1 to 33 ± 1% (lactation; P < 0.05) and plasma cortisol concentration from 21 ± 3 to 43 ± 6 nmol/L and 28 ± 5 to 49 ± 6 nmol/L, respectively (both P < 0.001). The goats were lying and ruminating before the dog arrived, but then all goats stood up and stopped ruminating. Lactating goats vocalized intensively when they saw the dog and after the dog left. It is concluded that the alarm reaction, as shown in the physiological variables, was more pronounced during pregnancy than lactation, or alternatively the first time the goats saw the dog. On the other hand, the behavioral reactions were stronger during lactation or the second time, which is interpreted as the goats defending their kids. Blood pressure is as important as heart rate when evaluating stress reactions in goats.