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Just what was the reasoning behind introducing the Angora as a foundation line.

The objective was to combine the best of the two breeds​​

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Benefits of the Cross

Despite the early % animals appearing nothing like the USA pygmy type, the cross offers real advantages across five areas:

1. Coat

From the Pygmy's perspective, the cross creates more secondary hair follicles, resulting in:

• A heavier overall coat

• A fuller, more impressive mane in bucks

• A better winter undercoat, making animals more adaptable to cold climates

Basically the two breeds of goats have a different distribution of skin follicles throughout the skin.                               

The Angora has almost entirely Secondary skin follicles producing contineuly growing fibre. The fibre grows about 25mm per month, it is not medulated, absorbs dyes, has a solid cortex and has smooth lusterous scales giving it a waeving quality.               

The Pygmy on the other hand has mostly primary follicles, producing a shedding coat of high course micron. The hair strands are hollow, and is fully replaced twice a year. Some pygmys do carry a reasonable density of secondary follicles that become active in colder climates, triggered by the low temperatures and shorter days, if at distance from the equator.

When there is a balance between the two follicle types the animal produces what is termed a dual coat producing an abundance of down when required.

From observation some 100 % animals virtually lack this ability to grow a dual coat altogether.

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2. Conformation (Body Shape)

Practise shows that crossing meat breeds with Angoras consistently produces exceptional carcasses - well above the average of either parent breed. Part of the response must be due to hybrid vigor, but  not all. Examples include:

• SA Boer × Texan Angora

• SA Boer × SA Angora

• Australian Feral × Australian Angora (early 1980s)

The Pygmy × SA Angora cross followed this pattern, producing large, square, heavily muscled offspring, a significant improvement for a breed that is classified as a meat breed.

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3. Teats & Udder

The Angora brings no negatives to Pygmy udder quality. Key traits include:

• Well-attached udders

• Correct teat placement

• No excessive milk production

• good length of lactation

• Strong udder structure overall​

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4. Mothering & Temperament

Both breeds are already exceptional mothers with calm, reliable temperaments. These traits carry through to the crossbreds with no compromise.

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5.  Coat Colour and Pattern (based on Sponenberg research)

Goat colour comes from melanin (pigment) deposited in the hair. White isn't actually the absence of colour — it's more like white paint covering up the colour underneath. The Angora's white masks a hidden dark colour (black or chocolate — never red or orange).

As you breed further away from the Angora and more toward the Pygmy over several generations, the white masking gene may not get passed on — and the hidden colours start to appear. This opens up possibilities for:

• Black offspring

• Silver offspring

• Chocolate offspring

• Silver Chocolate offspring

 

Expected colour outcomes across generations:

Generation

Possible colours

First cross (F1)    White

Second cross (F2)     White, Black, Silver

Future crosses    + Chocolate, Silver Chocolate

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The breeding program intentionally will avoid introducing pheomelanin (the pigment behind tan, red, and cream tones) to keep results predictable. The goal is to eventually cross varieties back and forth while accepting clear boot and mask marked animals when present. The Silver animal becomes the Agouti pattern once the boots are zipped up.

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Summary

Every breeding program involves trade-offs. The cashgora coat maybe a compromise — but the gains in body condition, coat fullness, udder quality, temperament, and colour potential make this cross a worthwhile inclusion to the Australian Pygmy goat.

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