TIPS FOR BUYING A  LLAMA.

If you are looking for a llama for backpacking purposes, it is important to buy an animal that is strong and structurally sound, with good conformation. This means a straight and level top line, relatively straight legs. (Not so straight that they are "posty", but not knock kneed, sickle hocked or cow hocked. A good test is to imagine a plumb line held at the animals hip. It should transect both the knee joint and the hock.
Another test is to make the llama walk in front of you (led by someone else), and see if it tracks in a straight line
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Backpacking llamas should also have a good disposition, and should preferably be trained to halter and lead before purchase. It doesn't take very long to train a llama to accept a pack, but he should be gradually conditioned to carry increasing weights, up to about 100 pounds, or a third of the body weight of an adult male llama. The llamas coat should be short, so that it does not get tangled in the straps of the backpack. Similar criteria apply to cart driving llamas, although the colour is sometimes more important to the buyer. e.g. a flashy black and white looks good with a red cart.

When purchasing a show llama, the conformation (as above ) is equally important.
Judges look for "balance", which is the proportions of the animal relating to neck, back and leg length. They also look for "presence", which means the poise of the llama, or the way it holds itself and walks. A high tail set looks good, and nicely curved banana ears are an asset, although this is one of the last things that judges should look at, and only count if they are having difficulty deciding between two animals that are very closely matched. If you are buying a show llama for show in the heavy wool category, the fibre placement, length and quality are also important. There should be lots of wool coverage on the head, neck, body and legs, and there should not be many guard hairs. Colour does not really matter.

The same criteria apply when buying a male llama for use as a stud or herdsire, although you may want to balance his qualities with the good qualities or faults of your females. For example, if your females have short necks, you may need a stud with a longer neck. If they are all white, you may wish for a dark coloured male.

Do not forget that the most important parts of the male are the reproductive organs, if he is to be used for breeding. He should possess two evenly hung testicles of equal and sufficient size.

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Last updated on 22/12/07