Ankara Goat (Tiftik Goat)

Ankara Goat (Tiftik Goat), is a goat breed from Türkiye’s Inner Anatolia Region, particularly raised in Ankara and its surroundings, known for its tiftik production. It is also bred in Siirt, Mardin and Bitlis in southeastern and East Anatolia. Although it is the second most numerous goat breed in Türkiye, its population is rapidly declining due to economic factors. Today, efforts are being made through genetic conservation programs to halt this decline.

Ankara Goat (Ministry of Culture and Tourism)

Origin and History

The Ankara Goat is considered to have Central Asia origins. It is believed to have been brought to Anatolia by Turks in the 13th century from the eastern region of the Caspian Sea and to have developed its current characteristics through adaptation to the climate and soil conditions of Inner Anatolia. The earliest documented information about this goat in Anatolia dates back to the 15th century; no evidence exists of its presence in civilizations predating the Turks. Until 1838, this breed was raised exclusively in Anatolia and is recognized worldwide as the “Ankara Goat,” with Anatolia acknowledged as its homeland.

Historical as a whole, the Ankara Goat and its tiftik played a significant role in the regional economy. From the 15th century onward, a tiftik-based weaving industry developed in Ankara, and fabrics woven from “Engürü Sofu,” a pure tiftik yarn, gained great popularity in Europe during the 16th to 18th centuries. For approximately three centuries, tiftik weaving was a primary source of income for Ankara, fostering vibrant commercial and social life in the city. However, from the mid-18th century, advances in England’s textile industry led to a decline in exports, and from the 19th century onward, raw tiftik exports became more prominent. The introduction of the Ankara Goat to countries such as South Africa and USA in the late 19th century ended Türkiye’s monopoly on tiftik production, and even during the early but Republic period, tiftik production retained an important country in the economy.

Physical Characteristics

The Ankara Goat is a small and elegant breed. It is typically white, although in regions such as Siirt and Mardin, crossbreeding has resulted in black, brown and gray individuals. Adult males (bucks) weigh between 35 and 55 kg, while females (does) weigh between 30 and 40 kg. Horns are a common trait; in males, horns are spiral-shaped, long and curved backward, while in females they are smaller and more delicate. Nevertheless, hornless individuals are also observed.

Ankara Goat (Anadolu Agency)

Production Traits

The primary product of the Ankara Goat is tiftik (Angora or Mohair), a fiber highly valued in the textile industry. Tiftik yield is 3–4 kg in females and 4–6 kg in males. Tiftik is a lustrous, durable, elastic, moisture resilient, heat-resistant, and easily dyeable fiber, making it one of the most widely used raw materials in weaving after wool. These goats are generally not milked, but when milked, a lactation period can yield 25–50 kg of milk; however, milk production is discouraged as it reduces tiftik quality. Their meat is tender and flavorful, with tiftik kids especially sought after in the market. Fertility is low; kidding rate is approximately 80%, and twin rate is around 1%.

Breeding Conditions and Distribution

The Ankara Goat is raised at elevations of 800–1000 meters, in dry, low-rainfall steppe climates ranging from -28 to +28 °C. It cannot survive in humid, lowland or hot regions; even if it adapts, tiftik quality deteriorates. It thrives easily on steep and rugged terrain and requires no special care or feeding. In winter, it is housed in simple shelters, while in other seasons it is kept in open areas.

Economic and Cultural Significance

For centuries, the Ankara Goat has been a defining element in the economic and cultural life of Anatolia through its tiftik. However, from the 19th century onward, as the breed was exported abroad—particularly to South Africa and the United States—its presence in Türkiye declined. Today, South Africa is the global leader in tiftik production. In Türkiye, the goat population, which had dropped to 146,000 heads in 2009, increased to 215,645 by 2017 thanks to conservation programs. Genetic conservation and improvement projects led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest aim to ensure the breed’s survival.

The Ankara Goat is not merely an economic entity but also a symbol of Anatolian Turkish culture. Products derived from tiftik retain potential for use in textiles, handicrafts and cultural production, as they did in the past. The sustainability of this breed carries great importance both economically and genetic heritage-wise.