The Angora rabbit is among the oldest types of domestic rabbit, and is bred for the long micro thin fibers of its coat, known as “Angora wool”, which are gathered by combing and shearing, or plucking. Because rabbits do not carry the same allergy-causing traits as many other animals, their wool is an important alternative in clothing production.
The English Angora is a high maintenance rabbit. They need to be groomed, brushed or trimmed at least once a week. The good news is that they have a docile temperament. They actually enjoy being groomed as a very friendly and cautiously curious pet.
Angoras are bred mainly for their silky soft wool. Only 14–16 microns in diameter, it closely resembles cashmere to the touch in softness and fineness. A healthy adult Angora’s wool will grow approximately 1.2 in a month. Weekly grooming is necessary to prevent the fiber from felting or matting on the rabbit. Angora wool is harvested, plucked or shorn, every 3 to 4 months throughout the year.