We can trace back the Cashmere goat to Central Asia where they have been bred and raised for hundreds of years. Europeans discovered the fibre notably in the so called Ring Shawl. These soft warm shawls were so fine they could be pulled through a wedding ring, hence the name. “Some reports have the Western world’s demand for this fibre beginning when Napoleon brought back a ring shawl for his wife, Josephine.” (Canadian Cashmere Producers Association). Australia started breeding Cashmere goats using feral goats in their cashmere production in the 1970’s.

Other Countries took note of the success achieved by the Australians. Scotland and the United States followed suit in the 1980’s using genetics from Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, as well as other regions. The Us breeding program included feral Spanish animals which where carefully selected for fibre traits. The breeding of Cashmere goats in Canada originated in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s with the use of US and Australian breeding stock.