Difference Between a Pygmy Goat and a Cashmere Goat

History

• While the pygmy goat originated in Africa, the cashmere goat has its origins in Asia. The Cameroon dwarf goat, which originated in West Africa, is the pygmy goat breed raised in the United States today. Various types of pygmy goats are found in northern and southwestern Africa. The name "cashmere" comes from the Kashmiri goats indigenous to the Himalayas. While cashmere goats are mostly bred in Mongolia, some of them are bred in India, China, Iran, Afghanistan and Tibet.

Characteristics

• In contrast to the cashmere goat, the pygmy goat is a dwarf, and is bred to pass this trait from one generation to the next. The pygmy goat has short legs that are heavily muscled while the cashmere goat has legs that are slender and not as stocky. Pygmy goats have coats of varying colors. Cashmere goat coats are shorn, and the fleece consists of the long guard hair -- long, coarse hair that protects its underfur -- and the silky, downy cashmere undercoat.

Uses

• The pygmy goat is raised primarily for meat, while the cashmere goat is strictly known as a fiber goat and is bred for its luxuriant coat. Cashmere wool comes from the undercoat of goats; incidentally, to make an average sweater, the wool from about four goats is required. The Mongolian climate is ideal for cashmere goats as they do well in dry, harsh climates in mountainous terrains. When cashmere goats are raised in more temperate climates, the goats are unable to produce the quality coats needed for garments. Unlike the cashmere goat, the pygmy goat is frequently raised as a pet in the United States and can also be used as a milking goat.

Care

• Cashmere goats do not require much care. Unlike other goat breeds, cashmere goats are not jumpers -- they won't jump a fence and escape from an enclosed area. Cashmere goats need minimal shelter because this breed's coats provide insulation during winter. Cashmere goats shed their winter coat for summer. Because of their diminutive size, pygmy goats require less pasture acreage and can be kept in a smaller enclosure than cashmere goats.