The Angora goat is the world's only producer of mohair. Recognizable by its silky, lustrous fleece, it combines artisanal fiber production with a calm temperament — a breed that pairs usefulness with pleasure to keep.

Angora goat: its fleece produces the precious mohair fiber

Origin and History

The name "Angora" comes from Ankara (formerly Angora), the capital of Turkey, where this breed has been raised since at least the 16th century. Ottoman documents from the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent already mention trade in mohair cloth. The breed was gradually exported to South Africa (late 19th century), North America and Australia — today the world's leading mohair producers.

In Europe, numbers remain limited, but a community of passionate breeders keeps the breed alive, often combining artisanal fiber production with companion keeping.

Appearance and Breed Standard

• Height: 22–26 in (55–65 cm) at withers for does, 26–30 in (65–75 cm) for bucks
• Weight: 55–100 lb (25–45 kg) for does, 120–200 lb (55–90 kg) for bucks
• Build: long body, sturdy legs, straight back
• Horns: present in both sexes — spiraled in bucks, finer in does
• Fleece: long, silky, forming lustrous locks — the breed's defining characteristic

Mohair: An Exceptional Fiber

Mohair is produced exclusively by the Angora goat. Its qualities are remarkable:

• Fineness: 25–35 microns in adults, under 25 microns in kids (kid mohair, the most prized)
• Strength: 4 to 5 times stronger than sheep's wool
• Luster: a natural sheen comparable to silk (characteristic light-reflecting quality)
• Thermoregulation: warm in winter, cool in summer
• Annual yield: 6.5 to 13 lb (3–6 kg) per animal (two shearings)

Shearing: Twice a Year, With Care

The Angora is sheared twice a year: in spring (March–April) and in fall (September–October), ahead of the coldest and hottest spells. This is one of the major differences from sheep, which are generally sheared only once.

Shearing should be done in a single pass, with shears or an electric clipper. Second cuts shorten the fibers and sharply reduce the value of the mohair — avoid them by shearing in one smooth motion.

Temperament

The Angora goat is generally calm, curious and not very aggressive. It is more independent than the Nigerian Dwarf or Pygmy, but adapts well to regular handling, especially if accustomed to it from a young age. Its herd instinct is strong: it absolutely must live with at least one other goat.

Feeding: High Requirements

Mohair production is very energy-intensive. An Angora's dietary needs are 20 to 30% higher than a non-fiber-producing goat of similar size. Underfeeding quickly shows up as thin, brittle fiber, weight loss and weakened immunity.

• Quality hay ad libitum (legumes acceptable as a supplement)
• Concentrates according to season and physiological stage (more in winter, gestation and lactation)
• Goat-specific minerals — pay attention to sulfur (essential for mohair fiber quality)
• Fresh water always available, in sufficient quantity

Health and Specific Watch-Points

• Post-shearing hypothermia: a major risk, see warning above
• Internal parasites: as with all goats, high susceptibility — FAMACHA scoring and fecal egg counts recommended
• Enterotoxemia: clostridial vaccination essential, especially during ration changes linked to shearing
• Sulfur deficiency: weakens the fiber — check the composition of the mineral mix used

Reproduction

The Angora goat is mostly seasonally polyestrous (fall–winter), like most mountain goat breeds. Gestation lasts 148 to 155 days, and litters are often single or twin. Kids are very sensitive to cold in their first days of life — warm kidding shelters are essential.

The recommended age for first breeding is a minimum of 18 months for does — an insufficiently developed doe cannot carry a pregnancy to term while maintaining good fiber production.

Angora fleece: the mohair fiber — © Pexels

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