by Angie Pollock

Created on: September 17, 2009

Developed during the late 1970s, the Pygora goat breed is the creation of US breeder and fiber artist Katherine Jorgensen of Oregon. Considered a synthetic breed, the Pygora can attribute its beginnings from the crossing of Pygmy and Angora goats. Ms. Jorgensen's intentions were to create a breed that produced longer mohair that the Angora is so popular for. She began with an Angora doe and Pygmy buck and then bred the crosses back to each other; the end result was the Pygora.

The Pygora is a small yet muscular goat breed that is generally bred for the fiber but can be also kept as pets. Pygoras are also kept on farms for milking purposes. They are accepted in white, black, or Pygmy goat patterns. Unlike the Pygmy, the Pygora is cold-hardy making them a recommended breed for colder climates. The breed is described as friendly, docile, and quite playful.

Three different types of fiber are produced from the Pygora. Type A is very fine, averaging six inches in length and is typically less than 28 microns. Type B has characteristics of both mohair and cashmere. This type averages three to six inches and the guard hair should be obviously present. Type B will fall below 24 microns. Type C will be very fine, less than 18.5 microns. This type is generally one to three inches in length but must be at least one inch and display a crimp. The luxurious fleece is used by artisans for knitting, weaving, and even creating tapestries.

Pygora fleece can be purchased from breeders or online. Some of the colors available include snow white, silver-blue, and chocolate brown. The fleece goes through a preparation stage before it can be used by artists. Typically goats with Type A fiber will need to be sheared and shouldn't include any guard hairs while Type B can be sheared, plucked, or combed. Plucking or combing can help reduce the collection of the guard hairs which is preferred for hand spinning. Type C has distinct guard hairs that can be somewhat avoided with plucking which can be sought after by artisans.

Shortly after their development, other breeders and fiber artisans were breeding Pygoras which led to the creation of the Pygora Breeder's Association (PBA) in 1987. Today, Pygoras cannot be registered if they are more than 75% registered Angora or 75% registered Pygmy and their fleece must also meet the Breed Standard set forth by the PBA.

References:

STOREY'S ILLUSTRATED BREED GUIDE TO SHEEP, GOATS, CATTLE, AND PIGS, by Carol Ekarius, copyright 2008.

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