What breed of goat is the primary source of mohair?

The breed of goat that is the primary source of mohair is the Angora goat. This Turkish breed produces a lustrous, curly animal fiber that is shorn from its coat rather than combed out like cashmere.

Angora goats originated around Ankara, historically called Angora, in central Turkey. Their fleece grows continuously and commonly forms long ringlets. Although white is the best-known color, Angora goats can also have black, brown, or gray coats. The breed is raised for both mohair and meat.

Mohair is prized for its sheen, durability, elasticity, and ability to absorb dye. Angora goats are commonly shorn twice a year, and commercial production later spread from Turkey to countries including South Africa, the United States, Argentina, and Lesotho. A frequent mix-up is Angora versus angora: mohair comes from the Angora goat, while angora fiber comes from the fur of the Angora rabbit. Cashmere, meanwhile, comes from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats, not from Angora goats.