Pygora goats are medium sized fiber animals. They were bred by Katharine Jorgensen in Oregon in the 1970's who bred a registered pygmy goat and a registered angora goat, hoping for the best characteristics from each of these breeds. She achieved that goal as the pygora is hardy and curious like the pygmy, friendly and docile like the angora, and of a size in between the two. The pygora also brings together the best of both these breeds in their abundant and beautiful fiber which is becoming more known and prized throughout the hand spinning community.
Each registered pygora goat is required to submit a fleece sample for categorizing its fiber. We belong to the Pygora Breeders Association and all our goats are somewhere in the process of permanent registration.
'A' FIBER: This type is most like mohair, in ringlet form, very shiny and cool to the touch, averaging about six inches long. 'A' fiber will have a guard hair which is usually not removed prior to spinning as it is very silky and fine. Pygoras with this type of fiber will not blow it off; it must be shorn, plucked, or combed.
'B' FIBER: This type is a blend of 'A' and 'C', being wavy with curls at the end of the lock. It feels soft and fluffy and averages three to six inches. The guard hair can be silky or coarse. The coarse guard hair is usually removed prior to spinning. Goats with this type of fiber will blow most of it off.
'C' FIBER: This type is most like cashmere. It is crimped and wavy, with little curl or none at all. It has a matte look, little shine, and feels warm and creamy to the touch. It averages between one and three inches and is very fine. The guard hair is coarse and is removed prior to spinning. 'C' fiber goats will blow off their coats; it's best to shear (or pluck or comb) it before it's lost!
Unlike other fiber animals, pygora fiber changes very little as the goat ages, maintaining its quality from the time it is a young goat until it's an old goat!
Interesting Confusions:
Angora fiber does not come from a goat. Angora fiber comes from an angora rabbit. Angora goats produce mohair fiber.
Although there are goats known as cashmere goats, cashmere can come from any animal whose fiber meets the required micron count and quality of cashmere.
Although the term cashgora is used generally for a combination of different fleeces, its definition is fiber combined from cashmere and angora.
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