POU1F1 is a positive regulator for GH, PRL and TSHβ and its mutations associate with production traits in ruminant animals. We described a DdeI PCR-RFLP method for detecting a silent allele in the goat POU1F1 gene: TCT (241Ser)>TCG (241Ser). Frequencies of D 1 allele varied from 0.600 to 1.000 in Chinese 801 goats. Significant associations of DdeI polymorphism with production traits were found in milk yield (*p<0.05), litter size (*p<0.05) and one-year-old weight (*p<0.05) between different genotypes. Individuals with genotype D 1 D 1 had a superior performances when compared to those with genotype D 1 D 2 (*p<0.05). Hence, the POU1F1 gene was suggested to the potential candidate gene for superior milk performance, reproduction trait and weight trait. Genotype D 1 D 1, characterized by a DdeI PCR-RFLP detection, was recommended to geneticists and breeders as a molecular marker for better performance in the goat industry.