Members of the genus Capra, goats are ruminants that are able to successfully inhabit areas that are poorly vegetated and are, therefore, raised domestically in many locales that could not adequately support herds of sheep or cattle. Domestic goats provide a variety of products in great demand by humans, but are primarily utilized for milk production, a large quantity of the milk they generate being used to manufacture feta and other cheeses.

Domestic goats, which are found around the world, are all descended from the pasang, a species of goat generally believed to be native to Asia. Through selective breeding, several different types of domestic goats have been developed, each of which is utilized for the purposes it is best suited. Some, for instance, are used as milk producers, or for meat, while others are raised primarily for their wool. The hide of young goats is also often used as leather for items such as shoes and book bindings.

Angora and Cashmere are the two breeds of domestic goats valued primarily for the wool the produce. Indeed, the demand for the soft coat of the Angora has been high throughout history, the breed originating in the Angora region of Asia Minor during antiquity. The wool of the animal, which is long and white, is used to make mohair, a strong cloth that is frequently used to fabricate fine apparel and home furnishings. Cashmere is utilized for similar purposes, but the wool of the breed, which originated in Kashmir, India, has a slightly different structure and is considerably weaker than that of the Angora goat.