Angora goat

Angora goat, breed of domestic goat originating in ancient times in Asia Minor near the city of Ankara (previously called Angora), Turkey, from which the breed derives its name. The goat’s silky coat yields mohair. It was protected by the Turks for centuries for its valuable coat, and it did not become known to Europeans until the mid-16th century. The Western mohair industry developed more than two centuries later. South Africa is the largest mohair producer in the 21st century. Globally, there is a small but growing market for Angora goat meat as well.

History of the breed

Records of fiber-producing goats from Asia Minor date back to biblical times. The exact date of domestication of Angora goats in this region is unknown, but some accounts suggest that they originated at least 2,400 years ago. For centuries the goats thrived in the region, isolated from the West. In the mid-16th century Europeans were made aware of their presence by a Dutchman, and a pair of animals was introduced to the continent about 1554.

Several attempts were made to establish herds in Europe following their introduction, but they failed because the climate was unsuitable for the animal. A Turkish embargo on the exportation of fleece and goats also impeded the development of the mohair industry outside Turkey during this period. On lifting of the embargo in 1838, Turkey exported Angora goats to South Africa in the same year, the United States in 1849, and Australia in 1853. The animal adapted well to the semiarid Eastern Cape and Karoo regions of South Africa, and the country went on to become a major source of stock animals and mohair in the 19th century. It has retained that position in the 21st century and ranks ahead of Lesotho, Argentina, Turkey, and the United States in the supply of mohair. Texas leads in mohair production in the United States, followed by the Southwest. Although the breed was successfully established in Europe in the 20th century, the herds continue to be small in size.

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Breed characteristics

The Angora is generally smaller than other domestic goats and sheep. Mature animals are about 1 meter (3.5 feet) tall at the shoulders. Males, called bucks, are heavier, weighing about 82–102 kg (180–225 pounds), whereas females, or does, weigh between 32 kg and 50 kg (70 and 110 pounds). Both sexes are horned, and the horns point backward, toward the body. The horns are spiral in shape, with those of the bucks showing the most prominent spirals. The ears of these goats are long and drooping. Soft, white, silky hair in ringlets or locks covers the body almost entirely, except the face, ears, and below the knees. The strong elastic fiber of the coat is chiefly composed of the protein substance keratin, as is wool. Mohair differs from wool primarily in its smoothness and luster (see mohair).

Breed management

Angora goats are good browsers and prefer brushwood, leaves, and rough plants. They have a high nutritional requirement to meet the energy cost of fiber production and their diet must be supplemented with hay, grain, and protein sources. A good nutrition is particularly important during pregnancy, lactation, and before and after shearing. These animals, especially Angora kids, are susceptible to cold and damp and internal and external parasites. Adequate shelter, artificial heating, and timely vaccinations are required to raise a healthy herd.