Background <p>Goat production is crucial to smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions, as it supports food security, income generation, and poverty alleviation. This study assessed existing goat production systems, management practices, and factors influencing their adoption in Chemba, Dodoma Urban, and Mpwapwa districts in Dodoma, Tanzania. A cross-sectional design was employed, and 450 questionnaires were administered across the three districts. Statistical analyses, including chi-square test, negative binomial regression, and logistic regression, were performed in R version 4.5.1.</p> Results <p>Results revealed that most households were primarily engaged in agriculture (74.9%), and managed small landholdings of 1–5 hectares (55.3%). The local goat breed predominated (99.8%), and herd sizes ranged from 2 to 130 goats (median = 13). Free-range systems dominated (90.4%), with communal grazing (52%) and traditional kraals (69.6%) commonly used. Vaccination (96.2%) and deworming (98%) were widely practiced, whereas adoption of supplementary feeding (34.4%), mineral supplementation (32.2%), flush feeding (17.1%), and controlled mating (29.8%) were limited. District strongly predicted management practices, with households in Chemba being more likely to adopt supplementary feeding and controlled mating. Unexpectedly, larger herds and access to extension services were associated with lower adoption of supplementary feeding, while larger landholdings increased record keeping (OR = 0.971, <i>p</i> = 0.027; OR = 0.436, <i>p</i> = 0.016, and OR = 1.025, <i>p</i> = 0.022, respectively).</p> Conclusion <p>Conclusively, goat production in Dodoma remains largely traditional, with low adoption of improved management practices. Adoption varied across the districts; thus, targeted interventions addressing area-specific constraints could improve management practices and productivity in smallholder goat systems.</p> Trial registration <p>Not applicable.</p>