Angora Goats: A Detailed Guide to Raising, Caring, Feeding, Breeding, Habitat, Cost, Enclosure and More (Paperback)

The beautiful, silky mohair of angora goats makes them a rare and expensive breed. The Ankara region of Turkey, where these goats were originally from, has a rich history that is closely related to the textile industry and human culture. Where Do Things Come From? It seems that Angora goats were domesticated about 10,000 years ago, at the same time as sheep were. Many centuries have passed in the lives of these creatures. However, the selective breeding that led to the distinctive Angora breed that exists today most likely began in the Ankara region of Turkey. These goats' shiny, silky coats were prized for their spinning abilities, as mohair is a luxurious fabric known for its thermal properties, brightness, and smoothness. Mohair: A Fabric Befitting Royalty At some moments in history, only the most privileged individuals could purchase mohair due to its extreme rarity and high value. It was illegal to export these goats from Turkey for a long time, and the production procedure was well guarded secret, so the company could keep a monopoly on the better fiber. Despite these limits, mohair became more and more popular across Europe, especially among the nobility of France, who valued the fabric's shine and smoothness. Worldwide Growth The first successful exports of Angora goats were produced in the early 19th century, marking the start of their globe adventure. Notably, a small flock was gifted to Charles XII of Sweden in the early 1700s, but major numbers did not begin to settle outside of Turkey until the 1800s. Twelve goats were given to the colony by the Sultan of Turkey in 1838, marking a turning moment in the history of the breed in South Africa. Because of the environment that these goats flourished in, South Africa is today one of the world's top producers of mohair.