Goat Breed · Turkey (Ankara region)
Angora
A fibre goat with long, lustrous ringlets — the source of mohair.
By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated
In brief
The Angora is a fibre goat from the Ankara region of Turkey, prized for its long, silky, ringletted fleece — the source of mohair. It is small and gentle but relatively delicate, shorn twice a year and needing good nutrition and shelter to sustain heavy fleece growth.
Angora: At a Glance
| Origin | Turkey (Ankara region) |
|---|---|
| Size | Small–medium (does 30–50 kg; bucks 50–80 kg) |
| Typical weight | Does 30–50 kg; bucks 50–80 kg |
| Lifespan | 10–12+ years |
| Coat & colour | Long, lustrous, ringletted mohair fleece (usually white); shorn twice a year |
| Temperament | Gentle, timid, calm |
| Kept for / suits | Fibre (mohair) production; experienced keepers with good shelter |
History & Origins
The Angora is an ancient breed from the Ankara (historically Angora) region of Turkey, later established in South Africa, Texas and Australia to supply the mohair trade. Selected entirely for fleece rather than milk or meat, it is more delicate than other goats and needs careful feeding and shelter, especially after shearing.
Angora Fun Facts
- Angora goats produce mohair — not 'angora' wool, which comes from rabbits.
- They are shorn about twice a year.
- Each goat can yield several kilograms of mohair annually.
- They are delicate and need shelter, especially just after shearing.
Angora Common Health Issues
Conditions seen more often in this breed, and how owners and vets help manage them. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — always speak to your vet.
Parasitic gastroenteritis (barber's pole worm)
Gut worms — especially Haemonchus contortus, the 'barber's pole worm' — cause anaemia, bottle jaw, weight loss and death, particularly in warm, wet climates.
Care: Use faecal egg counts and targeted, rotational worming rather than blanket dosing; pasture management and the FAMACHA anaemia check help control resistance.
Pregnancy toxaemia
A metabolic disease of late pregnancy — common in does carrying multiple kids — where energy demand outstrips intake, causing dullness, poor appetite and collapse.
Care: Feed rising-plane nutrition in late gestation, avoid over-fat or under-fed does, and treat early cases urgently with veterinary support.
Coccidiosis (kids)
An intestinal protozoan parasite that causes diarrhoea, poor growth and sometimes death in young kids, especially when housing is crowded or dirty.
Care: Keep pens clean and dry, avoid overcrowding, and seek veterinary treatment and coccidiostats when kids scour.
Goats are herd animals, not lawn ornaments
Goats are intelligent, social browsers that suffer when tethered alone on short ropes. Whatever the breed, they need at least one companion, secure fencing, browse and hay, hoof care and shelter. WARN's working-animal programmes support rural veterinary access where goats and equines share the same routes.
