Looking for "Mr. Right"
How to Select your Next Alpaca Herdsire
By Rick Avdich
High Country Llamas & Alpacas

Before you jump in your vehicle with your check book in search of your new alpaca herdsire, here are a few tips to consider before you turn that key. There are many important aspects to review before selecting that male either for purchase or an outside breeding.

One of the things you must ask yourself is, what are you looking for that your present male has not already achieved? To be successful in your search you must be critical of your own breeding program, both in it's strengths and it's weaknesses. Look closely at your dams and their offspring, and determine what they lack in phenotype. This also holds true for any potential future herd sires.

Let's first start with the overall body balance. Are your animals well balanced in back to neck ratio? Is their bone sufficient? What is their fiber coverage like, i.e. head, body, front and rear leg wool?

Now we must consider the prime blanket fleece for density, uniformity and character (crimp). Then the fineness of the fleece is noted, taking into consideration the age and color of the animal, (typically, darker animals tend to be slightly courser than whites).

Finally, the "handle", or what does the fleece feel like when you touch it? Don't let the results of a histogram influence what you are feelingwith your own hands. Make note as you examine the fleece, whether it's overall appearance is healthy, and not dull and brittle. These may indicate that the animal is lacking proper nutrition or it's overall health requirements are not being met.

With suri alpacas, some of the fiber criteria are similar however, luster and uniformity of the lock structure is paramount. In suris, fineness is not as critical as with huacayas when it comes to the hand. You will find that a suri alpaca with 25 - 26 micron fleece, will feel finer and softer than an 18 - 20 micron huacaya. That is mainly to do with the handle.

The final point to consider on the main blanket fleece of the suri is the density. It is typical when the main blanket fleece is dense in a suri, the drape and overall appearance of the phenotype is not as appealing as an animal with less density. You lose that "super suri" type look. Typically in the suri phenotype, the finer the fleece, the less inherent the lock structure becomes.

You can tell a lot about conformation by watching the animal walk broadside in front of you. If the animal steps out nice and the back-line movement seems smooth, that is a good indicator of relatively correct conformation. If we want to get into specifics of conformation, you would then want to watch the animal walk towards and away from you. Ideally, the back feet will step into the front foot tracks with no horizontal movement of the rump. Pay attention to the hocks and make sure there is adequate width between them. If there is too much rear angulation of the hocks from the side view, the animal will appear to be underneath himself, and the back end rounded.

If color is an important factor in your program, then don't sway from your original goal.

What type of head do you prefer? Are you looking for that shorter snout, (teddy bear look) or the more open face look?

Don't fall for any marketing and promotional material that might mislead you in your direction. Regardless of Country of Origin, there are great animals, there are good animals, and there are grade animals in each. However, if the Country of Origin is important to you, then don't settle for anything less.

Major shows and futurities offer great opportunity to view a wide selection of potential herdsires. From these you may well be able to determine what farms have the breeding programs that best compliment your needs. This is not to say that you should go and buy the male that wins Grand Champion. that is not an effective method of choosing a future herdsire. That animal's stature is only the judges opinion based on the animals in the class that day. They are not judging on your criteria or what you are looking for to add to your program.

If you don't find the selection of animals that fit your criteria at these events, then it is probably best to make some preliminary phone calls and be prepared to give some general information of what you are looking for in a male. It may save you a lot of valuable time and money. When you begin your journey to the farms, to critique these possible future herdsires, it is best to have your notepad to maintain records as you establish your own point system for each of the criteria.

In my opinion, it is important, whenever possible, to see the dam and the sire, and other progenies they may have produced to be able to determine their consistency of quality. Make no mistake, if you do not consider the quality of the dam, as important as the sire, you are missing half of the formula for consistency. If the sire is a direct import, then you must examine several of his progeny to see his consistency. If the animal has no documented pedigree, then his progeny are equally as valuable.

Whenever possible, ask the breeder if he has health records on any potential animals that you are considering for purchase, i.e. birth weight, weights as a cria, inoculations, any treated illnesses. These records can be a good indication of the dams milking ability, and the overall health of the animal. Give each potential animal a grade.

Selecting that future herdsire will be one of the most important things you can do for your breeding program. What you must remember however, is when you are looking for that "Mr. Right", there will be a price attached, and at times it will be significant.

Here are a few thoughts to consider: If you have in fact found "Mr. Right" and the price is out of your range, you may consider co-ownship with the current owner or another breeder in your area.

The current owner may also consider financing.

If you settle for second best, at a lesser price, you may not achieve the goals that you had hoped for.

Good luck in your search....

Criteria to consider when Selecting a Male

About The Author:

High Country Llamas & Alpacas is a family owned and operated business established in 1992. Located in beautiful British Columbia, outside the town of Summerland, HCLA is nestled in the rolling hills of the southern interior of the Okanagan Valley. Presently Rick, his wife Laura and family, have over 200 llamas and alpacas grazing on 18 acres of irrigated, cross fenced pasture. An additional 20 acre irrigated hay field supplies most of their hay for the winter months.

At HCLA they believe strongly in the thriving textile market of the future. Their breeding program is focused on conformationally sound animals with dense, uniform fleeces - fully realizing that it will take many years of controlled breeding before the camelid breeding industry can produce enough quality fiber to sustain a competitive textile industry.

Their entire herd of llamas was imported in 1999 from Bolivia, and have been producing exquisite llamas ever since. Rick spent almost a full two years in South America, gathering what he felt was some of the finest camelids ever imported. He sampled several thousand llamas and alpacas in that time, and travelled to the most remote places in Bolivia to provide his breeding program with a vast amount of out cross genetics. They have been extremely successful in the show and futurity curcuit, in both Canada and the USA, and pride themselves in both quality of animals and service to their clients.

Whether you are interested in guardian or performance llamas, gelding alpacas for pets & fiber, or competing in the top ranks for major cash prizes and grand championship status, High Country Llamas & Alpacas is sure to provide.

Rick can be contacted at:
High Country Llamas & Alpacas
Phone/Fax: 1-250-494-8329
E-mail: laura_avdich@telus.net