Pygora goats are a relatively new breed of fiber animal with an interesting history. Katharine Jorgensen, then of Oregon City, who raised pygmy goats, saw some goats with long, curly, colored hair while traveling in Navajo country. Intrigued by the possibility of colored mohair, she crossed a registered angora goat with a registered pygmy goat. The resulting breed is the Pygora goat. The Pygora Breeder's Association was begun in 1987, and now the breed is becoming established all over the country. The cute little goats produce three types of fiber in a range from long and silky angora mohair to short pygmy cashmere.
Another thing that came out of the introduction of the Pygora goat line is the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. When the Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene stopped allowing shows for Pygora's, due to space constraints, several Pygora breeders got together to establish their own venue to show the goats. It is now an annual event at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds in Canby.
Pygora's make great pets, drawing on characteristics of both the angora and the pygmy. They live 12-14 years and are raised mostly as pets, for breeding and for fiber. They do produce some milk, about a quart per day.
There are a number of breeders in Oregon. One of the pioneers in both the Pygora goat the the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival is Hawkes Mountain Ranch in Gaston. Another is Elysian Fields Farm in Yamhill. Both businesses offer goats for sale.
For more information, check out the Pygora Goats Association.
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