Alpaca Facts
Alpaca females become sexually mature at around 12 to 18 months of age and once they reach 45-50 kilograms in weight. Males can display sexual interest from a few weeks of age but are not sexually active or fertile until 18 months to three years of age — although there will always be individuals that fall outside of this range. Alpacas do not have a breeding season and, providing they are receptive, females can be mated at any time of the year. Like rabbits and cats, female alpacas are "induced ovulators," which means it is the act of mating that causes them to ovulate.
It is preferable to avoid mid-late summer breedings. Given the 11- to 12-month gestation, this reduces the incidence of heavily pregnant females and new cria being born in very hot weather. Alpacas mate in the "kush" (prone) position and if a female has already been successfully bred she will refuse to kush and will probably spit at the male. This rejection response, known as a "spit-off," is used in the management of the female to regularly monitor the progress of her pregnancy.
 It is possible to have a single alpaca, but it is probably not a pleasant existence for the animal. Alpacas are herd animals and are instinctively gregarious. They obtain security and contentment from having at least one other alpaca for company. For this reason, it is usually recommended that two alpacas are the desirable minimum to own.
Alpacas travel very well in a van, under a truck canopy or in a horse or stock trailer. Most alpacas will sit during the journey and travel best in the company of another alpaca. Clean straw or white shredded paper on the floor of the trailer helps to absorb jarring on rough roads and helps absorb any dung or urine. Food and water should always be provided for the journey.
At this stage of the industry's development, price is directly related to the individual breeding potential and the potential quality of the offspring. For example, a gelding (castrated male) has no breeding potential and is therefore the cheapest alpaca to buy. On the other hand, a high-quality male with many good progeny on the ground has a very high breeding potential and can be worth many thousands of dollars. He can also command a high income from the stud services he provides. Female prices are a reflection of quality, age, and breeding history and to which stud male she is bred. Income from females is derived from selling the offspring. Although the average gestation is eleven and a half months, a projection of three offspring in four years per mature female is more realistic than expectations of one offspring every year.
Alpacas have a unique instinctual trait with respect to deposition of feces and urine as compared with all traditional livestock. The alpacas form "dung piles" in pastures. These dung piles are the equivalent of "community toilets." Compared with horses, cattle, sheep and goats, alpacas are extremely hygienic. The dung piles allow pastures to be cleaned effectively and efficiently on a regular basis, minimising the risk of parasitic infection. This can rarely be done with other livestock because of the necessity to clean the entire pasture, not just selected areas. Cleaning of dung piles with composting of manure also allows for a reduction of any risk of ground water contamination.
Alpacas consume approximately one to 1.5 gallons of water per head per day — similar to goats. They also consume a relatively lower percentage of their body weight in dry matter on a daily basis as compared with sheep and goats. Sheep and goats are expected to consume approximately 2.5 per cent of their body weight per day (e.g. a 200-pound sheep consumes five pounds of dry matter per day or 16.6 pounds of grass (assuming 30 per cent dry matter of grass).
Alpacas are expected to consume approximately 1.8 per cent of their body weight per day in dry matter (e.g. a 200-pound alpaca would consume approximately 3.6 pounds of dry matter or 12 pounds grass per day.
They are psuedo-ruminants, with a single stomach divided into three compartments. Alpacas produce rumen and chew their cud and are thus able to process this modest amount of food very efficiently. Legumes such as alfalfa and clover are usually not needed and may lead to obesity.
A unique feature of the alpaca is the development of upper and lower canine teeth on both sides into "fighting teeth." Without trimming these sharp, backward pointing teeth in intact males will eventually grow to about three centimetres in length. The teeth can cause serious damage to other males during fights and usually need to be cut flush to the gum with obstetrical wire beginning in the three-year-old and every two to four years thereafter. Fighting teeth in females rarely penetrates the gumline and seldom, if ever, need to be cut. Growth of fighting teeth usually stops after castration.
Alpacas are easily contained and rarely challenge fencing. These animals do not perform activities that are destructive to fencing or wooden structures and rarely jump through, over, or under fences. Shelter must be provided for protection against adverse weather conditions. It is recommended that alpacas have a minimum of eight square feet per animal in a shelter. Three sided shelters with a roof are adequate for this requirement.
Alpacas, like all livestock, are subject to infestations of both internal and external parasites. Depending on many management factors, including geographical area, numbers of animals, groupings of animals, and pasture rotation, a parasite-control program should be tailor-made. Many alpaca owners have been led to believe that alpacas are virtually parasite-free owing to their tendency to use a communal dung pile. While this does reduce the incidence of parasitic infection it does not eliminate it. Veterinary fecal examinations of individual or composite samples from alpaca groups will generally allow interpretation of parasite concerns. All animals in the groups should be wormed at the same time. Intervals between deworming procedures will vary principally with age of group involved, degree of confinement, annual rainfall and the parasite problems at hand. In dry environments, a minimum of two deworming procedures per year is recommended. A springtime deworming should take place before the animals go on pasture using a product directed at nematode control and a fall deworming, one month after a killing frost. Those in traditionally heavy parasite load locales should consider two or more additional dewormings per year, ideally coordinated with pasture rotations. "Based on our research to date, we consider camelids to be one of the lowest risk species in North American agriculture with respect to potential human exposure to pathogens or to by-products of the animals' waste. This species seems ideally suited to "urban farm" settings," says David Anderson (OSU).
 There are two alpaca breed types: the huacaya (pronounced "wah – KI – ah") and the suri (pronounced "soorey"). The difference between the two is their style of fleece. The huacaya fleece has a waviness or crimp with an appearance that is more sheep-like. Suri fleece has little or no crimp, so the individual fibre strands hang down from the body in lustrous pencil locks. The suri is much rarer than the huacaya, with a world-wide ratio of huacayas to suris of about 98 to two per cent.
The alpaca stands about 36 inches (one metre) tall at the withers (the point where the neck and spine meet) or about 4.5 to five feet to the tips of their spear shaped ears. Females weigh anywhere from 110 to 160 pounds and males from 140 to 200 pounds.
The bottom of their feet is a soft pad with a leather-like consistency. The hard protective upper toenail grows out and down and must be trimmed as necessary. They are trimmed using a strong and sharp pair of clippers so that the nail is flush with the pad. The combination of low body weight and soft feet reduces compaction of the soil and damage to pastures, which can be a problem with many other types of livestock.
The alpaca is a species of the genus Lama, family Camelidae and order Artiodactyla (even-toed animals). Evidence of similar type animals dates back about 12 million years ago in North America. Four million years ago these animals dispersed, some north and evolved into the one-humped Dromedary camel of the Middle East and the two-humped Bactrian camel of Asia. Others ventured South, via the Panama land bridge, later evolving into the lama species of South America. There are four members of the lama family: the domesticated alpacas and llamas and the wild vicuna (vi KOON yah) and guanaco (gwah NAHK oh). At the end of the last ice age, 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, camelids became extinct in North America.
Alpacas use "body language," ear, head, neck and tail positions in conjunction with vocalizations as a means of communication. Generally a very quiet animal the vocalizations can include a hum — generally associated with mild stress and a high pitched staccato whinny — an alarm call. Other vocal sounds include clucking, snorts and screams. When a male chases a female prior to and during breeding he "orgles."
Macho or stud refers to a male alpaca that is being used for the purpose of breeding. A female alpaca who has had one pregnancy or more is called a hembra or a dam. Often a first-time dam is called a maiden. When a dam delivers her baby, the baby is called a cria, until it is weaned, then it is most commonly referred to as a weanling or tui.
Alpacas have proven to be adaptable to a wide range of climatic conditions and have been successfully raised in regions all across Canada. Severe winter temperatures are tolerable if reasonable wind shelter is provided (crias have been known to develop frost bitten ears if winter wind protection is not provided).
Heat stress can be a significant problem if the alpacas still have moderate to heavy fibre growth and are subjected to high temperatures and humidity. Shearing and providing access to shade and sufficient water will generally allow the alpacas to handle these conditions.
Alpacas generally do not destroy fences and can usually be confined behind a 1.2-metre or four-foot fence. A fence should be constructed in such a way that the alpacas do not or cannot injure themselves. Smooth meshed, wire fences topped by a rail or electric wire are recommended although six-inch or more larger squares may cause problems as alpacas may stick their legs or heads through the openings. All fencing is a compromise between cost, safety, functionality and aesthetics. Of overriding concern should be the safety of the animal and the realization that the fence must do the job for which it is intended — to keep the animals safely in and to keep dogs and other predators out.
Alpacas usually give birth in the morning hours, an adaptation to their high-mountain environment as this allows sufficient time for the cria to fully dry before being exposed to the cold night mountain air. Females in labour look uncomfortable. They hum to themselves, relieve themselves frequently and repeatedly get up and down. Labour usually lasts two to three hours and birth generally occurs within 30 minutes after the first part of the cria is showing. Normally the two front legs and head appear first, with the rest soon to follow. The female usually stands during delivery and the cria is dropped to the ground. The mother does not lick her cria, but rather stands guard watching for danger. Twins are extremely rare. Two weeks after birth the female is ready to be bred again. Thus, she will spend most of her productive life pregnant.
 Alpaca fibre comes in an extraordinary variety of colours from pure white through fawn, to a range of browns and a true jet black. The worldwide fibre market recognises 22 natural colours of alpaca. The fibre can also be blended to produce an infinite array of natural colours. Industrial processors will normally pay a premium for white fibre, since this enables them, through dyeing, to produce any particular colour they choose. Handspinners will normally pay more for natural-coloured fleece, which is true to the colour of the garment they wish to create.
The registration status of a subject animal (whether already CLAA registered or eligible for registration) can be found on the CLRC's website: www.clrc.com. The site documents (with extended pedigrees and progeny) all CLAA-registered animals and complete herd lists of all CLAA members. Access to this information is free.
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Alpaca History
Alpacas were domesticated thousands of years ago by Native American peoples in the Andean mountains of South America. The process was a slow and gradual one, as the native peoples from the region shifted from a reliance on hunting to a herding existence. Previously hunted wild guanacos and vicunas were corralled by the early hunter – gatherers in the Andes and over a period of thousands of years they were transformed into two new animals that were designed to fulfill entirely different functions. The five-foot tall, 300 lb llama emerged as a coarse haired beast of burden while the four foot tall, 150 lb alpaca was specially bred in order to provide a rich lustrous fibre. With selective breeding the process of domestication was completed between 2500 and 1750 BC producing the fully domesticated alpaca, making the alpaca one of the earliest domesticated animals in the world with archaeological evidence of human management dating back over 7000 years. These early Andean cultures recognised not only the value of the alpaca fibre but also the capability of the alpaca to produce fleece in a wide spectrum of colours. Whereas the fleece of the wild guanacos and vicunas in the high Andes all has the same colouring with very slight variations the alpacas produce a wide variety of shades from matte cream to shiny black. For thousands of year's alpaca fibre production was under the full control of the native Andean cultures. With careful colour separation and selective breeding they developed vast colourful herds growing fine luxurious fibre. The fibre was so prized and valuable that many of these societies strictly reserved the use of alpaca cloth for royalty, priests and high-ranking leaders. The use of alpaca by Andean ethnic groups continued in much the same way until the rise of the Inca empire in the mid 1400's.
The rise of the Inca Empire was meteoric and its fall was equally as spectacular. Beginning as a minor ethnic group they began a series of military campaigns that quickly brought most of the Andean region, from present Colombia in the North, to Chile and Argentina in the south – a distance of over 3000 miles - under their control. Although they ruled for less than 90 years they were very successful in consolidating and instituting a uniform culture over the greatest empire the Americas has seen. Having conquered the Andean cultures they acquired huge herds of alpacas and the Incas sent "seed-herds" to nearly all parts of the empire and commanded that these herds be reproduced. Prized animals of the Incas, the alpaca had a special place in Inca society. They were an integral part of religious, social and commercial life. With such a vast supply of fibre producing animals weaving factories were set up and vast quantities of cloth were continually produced. This woven alpaca cloth played an enormous role in the administration of the Inca Empire. Highly valued throughout the Andes rich gifts of cloth were given to high ranking nobles, given as symbolic gifts at coming of age, marriage and funeral ceremonies. They were also used in sacrifices to the deities and nature spirits of the Inca culture and were even given to defeated provinces, nobles and governors as the Empire expanded to cement the loyalty of the defeated regions. All this as well as providing virtually all of the clothing materials for the empires estimated 7 million inhabitants."In times past, before the Spaniards won this realm, all over this land and countryside there were large numbers of local sheep (alpacas)…..but the speed at which the Spanish killed them, so few remain that there are almost none"….Spaniard Pedro de Cieza de Leon
It wasn't until the Spanish conquest of the Incas in 1532 that hunting and new disease eliminated the majority of South American camelids. Some researchers claim that as much as 90% of the world's alpaca population was slaughtered in the 1500's by the Spanish. Estimates of pre – Conquest population of alpacas runs from tens of millions to 50 million.
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Tips for New Buyers
With the purchase of your first Alpaca you will enter an exciting and rewarding industry. Your Alpaca purchase should be an enjoyable and exciting experience with no surprises. As a service we offer the following alpaca purchase tips to all new participants.
· Visit several Alpaca farms before your first purchase and if possible, feel the fibre. Ask lots of questions, the education you will receive from breeders will be invaluable. Only deal with a breeder you feel comfortable with.
· You are the customer, the breeder is supplying a service, deal where you feel you will get the best "service" that is proportional to your investment.
· Ask for references, names of people that have purchased Alpacas.
· Negotiate a deal that works for you. Discuss fertility guarantees, re-breeding of females, cria health and live birth guarantees, health records, financing, payments, transport, boarding fee (if alpaca delivery is not immediate after purchase), registration, and get a written contract.
· Especially for new people to this industry, a written contract is very important. Get all the details in the contract. Going through this process will lead you through a discussion of the important details of the purchase. 
The contract should contain:
Buyer information
Seller information
Name of the Alpaca(s), Registration number and Microchip number (the method of permanent identification)
Price and payment schedule - This should include a lease agreement, if the alpaca is purchased over time.
Any guarantees and additional services
Delivery and Transfer of ownership schedule
· Feel comfortable asking for a pre-purchase veterinary health check. It is a common practice when purchasing breeding stock in other livestock industries.
The Canadian Llama and Alpaca Association (CLAA) is incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act and as such is recognized as the official Alpaca Registry in Canada. The Canadian Livestock Records Corporation (CLRC) is contracted by the CLAA to administer the registry. CLAA registrations and transfers are sent to the CLRC for processing.
Buyers should request and check registration and ownership of the registered Alpacas of interest. Looking at the "Certificate of Registration" is the easiest way, however you can also access the Internet, www.clrc.ca, go to" Members and Pedigrees", then select "Llamas and Alpacas" and then search by Alpaca Name, Alpaca Registration Number or Owner Name. The owner name is the least desired way to check an animal's information as it is very specific and requires the exact name of ownership.
The Transfer of Ownership form is on the reverse side of the Certificate of Registration. The signature of the seller or authorized agent is required for the transfer to be processed. In Canada, the seller is responsible (under the rules of the Animal Pedigree Act) for the transfer of the registration papers to the new owner. This includes completing the transfer form, fee payment and mailing to the CLRC. As such, do not accept a registration certificate as proof of ownership unless your name appears on the certificate as the registered owner.
Young Males and Females
Completed transfer of ownership is required. This is the responsibility of the seller.
Breeding Males
As above. The date of ownership is very important. The responsibilities of keeping breeding records and signing as owner of sire at time of service will change with date of ownership change.
Bred Females
In order to register the future cria, you will need the signature of the stud owner, plus the stud's name, registration number, DNA case number, and date of service. It is a good idea to request a completed Application for Registration for the cria at the time of sale.
Bred Females with Cria at side
As above for the future cria. For the cria at side you should request a completed Application for Registration. Most important are the two signatures, the stud owner, and the owner of dam at birth.
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The Canadian Llama & Alpaca Association
Breed Associations in Canada are backed by a Canadian federal statute, the Animal Pedigree Act (APA). The function of the APA, implemented in 1900, was to bring order and protection to the Canadian Livestock industry by the standardization and control in the sale of breeding stock and how they are registered. Two of its primary mandates are:
1 - to promote breed improvement
2 - to protect persons who raise and purchase animals by providing for the establishment of animal pedigree associations that are authorized to register and identify animals, that in the opinion of the Minister of Agriculture of Canada have significant value.
Only one association per breed is incorporated under the Act and given sole authority to: represent a breed or related breeds and to manage a public registry for the breed; to establish breed standards; to establish rules of eligibility for registration and to issue certificates of registration. Amendments to breed association by-laws require approval of the voting membership of the association and then approval from the Minister of Agriculture to ensure that they comply with the provisions of the APA before they can take effect.
The breed association responsible for alpacas in Canada is The Canadian Llama and Alpaca Association (CLAA). The CLAA was first incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act of Canada (APA) in January of 1989 as the Canadian Lama Association. Work forming the association actually began in 1987. The association's name was changed to its present version in December of 1996 to more accurately reflect the two main breeds being registered - alpacas and llamas.Registration of our Foundation Stock began in 1990 with the first animals being primarily from the USA, zoos and game farms. In 1992 the first major imports from outside North America started to enter the CLAA registry. These animals were "screened" to stringent standards. The screening criteria for alpacas was developed in a close working relationship with the Alpaca Registry Inc of the US with both registries using the services of specially trained veterinarians and phenotypic experts. The CLAA began by defining Foundation Stock with the use of Association developed breed standards and rigorous psychical examinations. It maintains these standards by requiring that registered progeny of these Foundation animals meet these breed standards and are also free of congenital defects. Llamas and alpacas continued to enter the CLAA registry as Foundation Stock until December 31, 2000, after which time, until very recently, only animals born in Canada to two CLAA registered parents were eligible for registration.
 In 2003 several amendments were made to the CLAA by-laws. The first allowed any animal, regardless of its country of birth, or date of birth, eligibility for registration in the CLAA Herd Book. Both parents however, must be CLAA registered and the animal must meet all other rules of eligibility for registration.
The second amendment introduced a breed-up program. This program allows breeders of CLAA registered stock to introduce new blood lines into the Canadian llama and alpaca herd. The program refers to recording new stock at 0% and breeding them to an established Purebred (or Foundation Stock) alpaca.
The first generation offspring will be eligible for 50% Purebred status, the second 75% and so on until the offspring reach 15/16th or officially, Purebred status.In both cases alpacas being registered must conform to the breed standards, be breeder certified free of congenital defects and parent verified. The parent verification process refers to the laboratory tests by which animals are compared to their parents. The tests are based on the fact that each parent contributes a random 50% of an animal's genetic makeup and determine if an animal can be included or excluded as a possible parent. An animal's parentage can never be confirmed 100%, but individuals can be excluded as possible parents with a very high degree of accuracy. The use of DNA is generally more accurate since it is based on direct comparison of the genetic code of an animal rather than the product of its genes (blood typing). A pedigree involving DNA tested lineage verifies with near certainty a particular lineage and authenticates the written record. Accurate knowledge of pedigree is the most important requirement for sound breeding decisions and therefore breed improvement.
The CLAA also requires that each breeder complete a form declaring that the animal being registered is free of congenital defects, ensuring over time that potential genetic problems are eliminated from our National herd. This is particularly important in closed gene pools, which effectively is what a registry closure represents. Thus to some degree our registry seeks to eliminate substandard animals (based on congenital defects) produced by registered parents. The registries in the future may not only use congenital defects as a barrier to registry but may also perhaps use performance characteristics. The principle behind both is that if a pedigree alpaca has qualities that aren't desirable or advantageous to the future of the industry then that animal has no place in the registry.
Breed standards in a registry are basically a list of characteristics that give recognition to a breed. They are largely applied to traits of physical appearance and visual distinctiveness. When Breed Associations are considered for Incorporation under the Animal Pedigree Act they must show that the breed they are representing is distinct but more importantly can demonstrate how that breed is distinct and recognisable. A breed standard does this. It is the basis for recognition of the initial foundation stock of a distinct breed under the Animal Pedigree Act. The breed standards developed by the CLAA in respect to alpacas refer to the range of trait expression considered acceptable for the breed rather than to the ideal animal. And, consistent with the Animal Pedigree Act, only those animals which do conform to the breed standard should be accepted into the breeding or registered population.
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The Canadian Llama & Alpaca Registry
The registry of the Canadian Llama and Alpaca Association is governed by the by-laws of the association and overseen by an act of Parliament known as the Animal Pedigree Act. The Act was first passed by Canadian Parliament in 1900. It was enacted to bring a degree of order and protection to the livestock industry and to bring standardisation and control regarding sale of breeding stock and how they were represented. The basis for having a federal Act under which breed associations can operate is largely twofold. First, the keeping of accurate pedigree information on a national basis is considered critical to the improvement of animal breeds and livestock in general. Second, the establishment of consistent national standards for representation of an animal's genetic background increases the integrity of the information for domestic and foreign trade purposes and provides protection to the buyers of breeding stock.
 The purposes of the Act are stated as follows:
a) to promote breed improvement
b) to protect persons who raise and purchase animals by providing for the establishment of animal pedigree associations that are authorised to register and identify animals that, in the opinion of the Minister of Agriculture of Canada, have significant value.
Only one breed association per breed is incorporated under the Act and given authority to represent that specific breed. They have sole authority to represent a breed(s) and manage a public registry for the breed, to issue registration certificates, to establish breed standards and rules of eligibility for registration, and define what is a purebred. The breed association in Canada responsible for these activities with regard to llamas and alpacas is the Canadian Llama and Alpaca Association.
The Canadian Llama and Alpaca Association was first incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act in 1987. The initial animals enrolled in the registry consisted primarily of imports from the U.S and stock from local and international zoos and game farms. Breed standards were set and the animals were phenotypically and veterinary screened before admittance into the registry. All the initial animals had both Canadian and U.S registration. Llamas and alpacas were first imported into Canada from outside of North America in meaningful numbers in 1992. These animals were screened according to standards developed by the ARI but in addition they also had to meet breed standards developed by the CLAA. These animals and further imports until the registry was officially closed on Dec 31,2000, formed the basis for our registry. Imported animals are identified on their Registration certificates as being foundation stock.
The foundation stock animals were defined by a physical description that established a minimum requirement or range for specific distinguishing characteristics of the breed, in other words a breed standard. After closure of the registry all further registered animals must show a relationship to the foundation population. These animals are identified are on their registration certificate as purebred. No animal may be declared purebred if it does not carry at least 7/8ths relationship back to the original foundation stock or to other registered purebreds of that breed. In essence, the CLAA by defining the foundation population by a breed standard, and ensuring that all further registered animals meet that breed standard, and can be traced back to the original foundation stock is giving assurance that the progeny will exhibit the expected standard characteristics of the breed. This is the Canadian registry as it stands at present: screened foundation stock (using criteria developed by the ARI and applied by trained U.S and Canadian screeners) and purebred animals that meet the breed standards, including being free of visible genetic defects. Alpacas are required to be parent verified through recognised laboratories and there is provision in our by-laws to require further testing of both llamas and alpacas if parentage is in doubt. The issue of full parent verification for llamas is currently before our membership. These rules are enforced through the application of rules of eligibility for registration, which are contained in our by-laws. It is a fact that the rules of acceptance in the CLAA registry have been no less stringent in the past and are currently more stringent now than the rules of acceptance in the ARI or ILR.
Since the CLAA is incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act and any member approved by-law amendment requires approval from the Minister of Agriculture before it can take effect, changes to our by-laws can be a lengthy process. Shortly after we became a closed registry discussions were held to amend a by-law that limited entry into our registry to only animals born in Canada of two CLAA registered parents. Recognizing the advantages of becoming a truly international registry, the membership, early in 2002, voted to amend that by-law to remove "in Canada". On Sept 12, 2003 ministerial approval was given to enact that by-law amendment. As of that date, any animal, regardless of country of birth or date of birth, born of two CLAA registered parents that meets the Canadian rules of eligibility for registration can apply for entry into the Canadian registry.
Canada has an active llama and alpaca industry with many Canadians seeking improvements in their herds. For the first time since the CLAA registry was closed this by-law amendment now gives Canadians access to eligible animals born outside of Canada. Incidentally, the Animal Pedigree Act also protects international buyers who have purchased CLAA registered animals from Canada. It is an offence for a Canadian seller (punishable by a fine up to $25,000) if it is the buyers intent to register in Canada "to sell…any animal without providing to the buyer thereof within six months after the sale the animal's duly transferred certificate of registration". For llamas or alpacas born outside of Canada to registered CLAA parents, applications for registration forms are available from the CLAA office or the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation. The registration status of a subject animal (whether already CLAA registered or eligible for registration) can be found on the CLRC's website www.clrc.com. The site documents (with extended pedigrees and progeny) all CLAA registered animals and complete herd lists of all CLAA members. Access to this information is free.
 At the time of this by-law amendment a breed-up program – in accordance with the Acts mandate for breed improvement - was also passed. The breeding-up program refers to the process of consecutively breeding animals towards a purebred status. Animals that are registered as purebreds are bred to animals of uncertain genetic origin as defined by the CLAA (animals with no direct relationship to CLAA foundation stock). A first mating gives 50% purebred status, a second 75% and so on. To ensure that breed standards are not compromised through low-level introduction of unwanted characteristics, animals entering the breed-up program will be subject to screening. The program allows Canadians to import llamas and alpacas from anywhere in the world and record them as grade (0%). For the purposes of this program 100% Purebred status is recorded at 15/16ths with each % purebred generation being bred to a 100% purebred Canadian registered animal.
The Canadian registration system is a strong and internationally respected system. It is the only one in the world whose integrity is overseen by an Act of Parliament. Although this makes it difficult to make rapid changes it effectively removes it from the occasionally inappropriate influences of marketing and promotion. Although it is governed by strict rules it is not without flexibility - as the alpaca becomes more uniform and stable in Canada enforcement of breed standards may not be so necessary. This will allow rules of eligibility to be based perhaps not only on enforcing pedigree background but also on economically important performance traits. Traits that can then be used for genetic evaluation and selection and incorporated into registration certificates. The Canadian registry as defined by the Animal Pedigree Act recognises that the commercial market should be the ultimate beneficiary of a credible registry system and the Canadian livestock registration system has long been regarded as one of the most credible in the world.
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Minimum Breed Standards for Alpacas
An asterisk (*) denotes a congenital defect - an inherent serious fault at birth (based on visual observation)
Animals displaying these traits should not be bred, and can not be registered.
The alpaca is a fibre-producing member of the camelid family.
General Appearance:
The huacaya-fleeced alpaca should be well proportioned, balance and symmetrical. The length of the neck equals the length of the legs and 2/3 the length of the back. The alpaca characteristics should be evident in the head, ears and the tail set. The fibre characteristics of the "huacaya" alpaca differ distinctly from the "suri" alpaca.
The suri-fleeced alpaca should be well proportioned, balanced and symmetrical. The length of the neck equals the length of the legs and 2/3 the length of the back. The suri alpaca may appear to have longer ears, a tapered nose, and a straighter top line than the huacaya alpaca. The alpaca characteristics should be evident in the head, ears and tail set. The fibre characteristics of the suri alpaca differ distinctly from the huacaya alpaca.
Height and Weight
Minimum height is 81 cm (32 in.) by the age of two
Minimum weight is 47 kg (105 lbs.) by the age of two.
Faults: <81 cm high at the withers by the age of two
Head
The head should be of medium length, triangular, with a square nuzzle, and be symmetrically formed with the incisors meeting the dental pad. The ears should be erect and spear-shaped.
Faults: Undershot Jaw
Overshot Jaw
*Gopher Ears - short, rounded and deformed ears
*Curled (fused) ears - closed opening of the ear
*Banana Ears (indicative of llama traits)
*Eyes: entropion - eyelid rolls in & hair rubs on eye; ectropion - eyelid rolls out or is very
loose
*Juvenile Cataracts
*Juvenile Blindness
*Wry Face - lateral deviation of frontal nose plate; can be slight to extreme
*Choanal Atresia - deviation of the nose; can be slight to extreme
*Deafness
*denotes congenital defects
Neck and Body
The neck is straight and near upright. The back is straight to slightly rounded. The rump should be broad and slightly sloping downward to a straight low set tail.
Faults: Sway Back Hump Back
Too long or short a neck High tail set
Herniated umbilicus
*Crooked tail (permanent deviation at birth, as apposed to proven injury)
*Lateral deviation of the spine - curvature of the spine
*denotes congenital defects
Front Legs
Frontal view, the legs should be strong and straight from the shoulder through the knees to the two toes. A plumb line dropped from the mid-point of the shoulder should fall through the mid-point of the knees, fetlock, and between the toes. The toes should point forward.
Side view the shoulder and elbow should have some angulation. The knee should be 180 degrees and the fetlock angle should be 190 degrees.
Front Leg Faults:
Angular limb deformity
Calf kneed
Buck kneed
Pigeon-toed
Cocked pasterns
Dropped pasterns
Feet-splay footed, pigeon toed
*Polydactyl - having more than two toes
*Syndactyl - toes fused together
*denotes congenital defects
Rear Legs:
Rear view, the legs should be strong and straight. A plumb line dropped from the mid point of the hip should fall through the middle of the hock, fetlock, and between the toes. The toes should point forward. Side view, the stifle should have some angulation and the hock angulation should be 145 degrees. Fetlock angle 190 degrees. The patellas should be stable.
Faults: Bow legged
Cow hocked
Sickle hocked
Post legged
Dropped pasterns
Cocked pasterns
*Luxating patellas (loose knee cap movement)
*denotes congenital defects
Male Reproductive Organs
Both testicles must be visible, of a firm consistency, equal in size and be >3.5 cm in length and 2.5 cm. in width by the age of three (exception of geldings). There should be four normal teats of similar size. Any protrusion from the skin no matter what the color or texture, in the general area of the teats, that is less than 50% of the height and 50% of the diameter of the normal teats shall not be considered an extra teat, measured at time of registration.
Faults:
Small testicles
Testicles too soft/too hard in consistency
* More or less than 2 equal sized testicles in the scrotum (exception of geldings)
* Eptopic testicles (not in scrotum; located in abnormal location)
* More or less than 4 teats as defined above (exception of geldings)
*Hermaphroditism - male and female genitals
*denotes disqualifiers
Female Reproductive Organs
The vaginal opening should not be too small and should be situated in a near vertical plane. There should be four normal teats of similar size. Any protrusion from the skin, no matter what the color or texture, in the general area of the teats, that is less than 50% of the height and 50% of the diameter of the normal teats shall not be considered an extra teat, measured at time of registration.
Faults:
* More or less than 4 teats as defined above.
Small vaginal opening
Enlarged or tipped up clitoris
*Vaginal opening not near vertical plane
*Lack of or incorrect anatomical position of any visible part of the reproductive system
*Hermaphroditism - male and female genitals
*denotes disqualifiers
Movement
The legs should move freely and evenly. They should travel in straight lines with the forward plane of movement. The distance side to side between footfalls should match the breadth of the individual alpaca.
Faults:
Winging or arcing of the feet
Rope walking
Fibre
Ideally the alpaca should have a fine, soft, uniform, and dense fleece that has a minimum of medulation (guard hair). The alpaca should grow significant length of staple.
Quality characteristics of the fleece are:
· Fineness: thickness of the fibre is measured in microns (AFD on a histogram)
· Density: is the number of fibres in a given area of the skin. The more fibers
per unit area the denser the fleece. Density is an attribute to the weight and
cleanliness of the fleece.
· Lustre/Brightness: is the light that is reflected from the fleece
· Hand: is the tactile quality of the fleece to the hand. Hand is related to the
Standard Deviation and C.V. numbers from the histogram.
· Staple Length: is the length of fibre from the skin to the tip of the fibre. This is
the length of the fibre grown between shearings, generally reported on a one
year basis.
Huacaya Fibre
Huacaya fibre has a fluffy, spongy appearance. The fibre grows perpendicular to the skin. The hair follicles are situated close together in the skin, giving density to the fleece, with groups of fibres bunching together to form defined staples. The staples have a crinkle and or crimp along the length of the fibres.
Faults:
Lack of coverage Short staple
Lack of strength Lack of density
Lack of uniformity through the blanket
Medulation in the prime area
Chalky/Dull fleece
Suri Fibre
The suri fibre falls close to the body, moves freely, and gives the suri a flat sided, lustrous appearance. The locks can have penciled ringlet formation, curling to the left or right, or wave structure that forms from the skin of the alpaca. This fleece lock structure should begin at the forelock and continue down the neck, and across the body including the legs.
Faults:
Lack of coverage Short Staple
Lack of strength Lack of density
Lack of uniformity through the blanket
Dull/chalky fleece
SUMMARY OF CONGENITAL DEFECTS - that disqualify an animal for registration
*Gopher ears
*Banana ears
*Juvenile Cataracts
*Juvenile Blindness
*Wry Face
*Choanal Atresia
*Curled (fused) ears
*Entropion, Ectropion (eyelids)
*Deafness
*Lateral Deviation of the spine
*Crooked tail (permanent deviation)
*Polydactyl
*Syndactyl
*Luxating patellas
*More or less than four teats on a male, as defined above (exception geldings)
*More or less than 2 equal-sized testicles in the scrotum (Exception geldings)
*More or less than four teats on a female,as defined above
* Eptopic testicles on a male
*Vaginal opening not near verticle plane
*Lack of any part of the reproductive system
*Hermaphroditism
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Breed Standards
Just what is a breed and what are breed standards? The following definition is supplied by the Secretary's manual to the Animal Pedigree Act – "A breed is a population of animals with a common history and origin. There is not a standard definition to which everyone would agree. However, two important characteristics are that they must have unique distinguishing characteristics and be genetically stable from generation to generation"
A breed standard is a term that is used in several ways – unfortunately not always consistently. In breed registries in Canada it is used as follows – "Breed standards are the essential trademark characteristics of a breed such as colour, coat pattern, horns, size, conformation, etc. Additional breed standards may include performance characteristics such as growth rate or milk production". In judging however, breed standards have been used as equivalent to a "Standard of perfection", "true to type" or an ideal for the breed.
Why do we in Canada have published breed standards and include them in our rules of eligibility for registration? While one of the arguments against having a breed standard is that it discourages what may be potentially useful genetic diversity in a population the opposite of this is the very reason that we do have a breed standard. In 1974, the Department of Agriculture (now Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) created an advisory committee with the responsibility to establish criteria for the eligibility of new breeds of livestock in Canada. The committee suggested that new breeds be accepted which met the following criteria "A population of animals… that produces progeny possessing … a good degree of genetic stability as evidenced by phenotypic uniformity and performance levels…" The key consideration for distinct breed status in Canada is the requirement for some genetic stability. Without genetic stability you have what is termed an evolving breed. An evolving breed may in time become recognised as a distinct breed but only if the phenotypic characteristics of multiple generations can be assessed and found to be uniform.
When the CLAA applied to Agriculture Canada to become a breed association it was required to show the Ministry that each breed we were representing came from a distinct common foundation population and exhibited recognisable breed characteristics in a uniform fashion. Breed standards were therefore the basis for recognition of the initial foundation stock and establishing a breed standard was essential for the recognition of distinct breed status under the Animal Pedigree Act. As a consequence of this alpacas have a written physical description in our rules of eligibility for registration that establishes a minimum requirement or range for specific distinguishing characteristics of the breed.
The breed standards we have today were developed from the screening criteria applied to the original imported animals. The goal in developing those screening standards was to create a series of objective criteria that would check as many functionally important and/or potentially heritable defects as possible. For each of the characteristics a minimum level of acceptability was defined and therefore the term used on the registration application is – minimum breed standards.
One further point should be made. In Canadian breed registries breed standards most often refer to a range of phenotypic expression and the absence of specific genetic conditions considered acceptable for the breed rather than the ideal animal. The problem of course is that while some traits are definitive (simple presence or absence of a particular trait is a disqualifier to registration) some are not. One consequence in simply defining and relying on a minimum set of standards is the implication that if for example an animal's legs pass the standard (deviation at a level not greater than a proscribed amount) they therefore must be good. In fact they may not meet the goal that all breeders should be trying to achieve – straight legs. This is the fundamental difference between minimum breed standards and defining breed types (where the ideal animal is described). Because of these implications the CLAA breed standards do make reference to ideal alpacas in certain areas. If we go back to our example of legs - some leg deviation is acceptable but we should recognise that straight legs are preferred and should be the breeding goal.
The Canadian breed standards are intended to generally describe the breed and assist breeders in the selection of breeding stock. As with screening forms the breed standards provide a useful checklist for breeders when assessing alpacas. They are not so restrictive as to limit some genetic diversity that may form the basis for future commercial production. While some breed standards, perhaps most commonly cited as an example are some dog breeds, have resulted in loss of function with reproductive, birthing, conformation and temperament problems this is not so with the CLAA standards. These strive to keep form and function a priority in our breeding programs. The breed standards describe a well-balanced alpaca that that has proportions conformation and fleece that bears directly on the health, function and value of that individual.
Breeding to a breed standard, taking into account proportion and balance, size, leg conformation, dentition with an absence of physical defects allows our alpacas to enjoy a quality of life, it maximises their reproductive potential and increases their longevity.
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Shearing
Shearing is done once per year. In nearly all cases, annual shearing is an absolute must. Beyond a year, the animal's comfort and even health is compromised and the fibre quality is degraded due to excessive contamination by vegetable matter. Additionally, if the fibre is to be commercially spun, its staple length will exceed the recommended maximum length of 4 - 5 inches.
Generally the period between March and June offer reasonable climatic conditions for shearing. Animals should not be shorn too early in the spring to avoid exposure to wet and cold weather. Shearing too late in the spring or summer may result in insufficient re-growth and too short a coat for the coming winter. The hot humid months may also present uncomfortable conditions and the potential for alpaca health problems if shearing is delayed beyond the end of June.
Most breeders in Canada use the "trussed-prone restraint" technique. This technique involves pulling the animal onto its side and restraining the back and front legs so the alpaca can't flail or get back on its feet.
The rear legs are pulled to the rear of the animal and the front legs are pulled far forward. The alpaca is thereby stretched out and rendered immobile. If lots of help is available, a third handler can hold the animal's head. Holding of the head, and gentle stroking and talking seems to reduce the stress for both the animal and shearer/helpers.
Another popular method in Canada uses a specially developed "shearing table". The animal walks alongside the table and is held in place by a crush attached to the table. When secured, the table rotates, securing the alpaca on the table, positioned at comfortable standing height for the shearing team.
In both methods, once restrained, the shearer removes the fleece from one side. Then the animal is rolled to its back and onto the other side to complete the process. The blanket portion of the fleece is the prime quality fleece and is usually shorn first and kept separate from any coarser portions of the fleece early in the shearing process. The blanket may be removed from the animal in one, two or more pieces, depending on shearing style and characteristics of the fleece.
These techniques have proved to be very efficient and generally stress free for the animals. The entire shearing process can as little as 6 - 10 minutes per animal.
Halter trained alpacas may be shorn standing up while being held by a handler, depending on the temperament of the animal and the amount of time available (this method usually takes longer than shearing prone).
Shearing day is the day you harvest your yearly fleece production. With proper preparation and organisation the day can be an enjoyable and educational experience for the breeder, the shearer and enlisted helpers. The additional helpers allow sufficient time to ensure the fibre is properly sorted and segregated as it comes off the animal. Helpers are also useful for assistance in preparing the animals, restraining the animals for shearing, weighing, sorting and skirting fibre, recording information, moving fibre and keeping the shearing area clean. With no time constraints, two or three people can manage all the jobs.
For more tips on preparation visit www.fibrecoop.ca
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Alpaca Shows
Livestock shows have origins dating back hundreds of years and can be a very important factor for determining the relative economic value of breeding animals.
The majority of major agricultural shows now include alpacas amongst other exhibits.
To many breeders in the alpaca industry, attending an exciting, well-organized alpaca show can be the highlight of the year.
Shows provide a venue to promote the desirable qualities in our animals and often serve as the first exposure of alpacas to people unfamiliar with them.
For individual breeders, the events provide a venue to promote the outcome of breeding programs, provide marketing and promotional opportunities and, no less important, provide an opportunity for members of our industry to meet and socialize.
Alpacas may compete in three different types of shows: full-fleeced halter show, composite show and fleece shows.
The full-fleeced and composite shows recognize fibre quality and quantity as a component of alpaca conformation. The animals are generally presented before a judge by the owner or designated handler and are judged against each other. The best animal in each exhibited class (in the opinion of the judge, the animal thought to best represent the breed) takes home the ribbons and honours.
The results of fleece shows are based solely on a shorn, prepared fleece.
Halter classes
The alpacas are shown in colour classes allowing for the promotion of the amazing colour diversity found in these animals. Classes are further separated according to the age and sex of the alpaca. In the show arena, judging is scored with a 60 per cent weighting for fleece and 40 per cent for conformation.
Composite classes
Composite classes are open to alpacas with a fleece length of <2 inches (as a result of shearing). The fleece off the alpaca is judged separately and judging is scored with 50 per cent weighting for the fleece and 50 for alpaca conformation as judged in the show arena. These types of shows are generally conducted in the summer months, after shearing. Full-fleeced shows are rare at this time of the year due to potential heat stress of unshorn alpacas in high temperatures and humidity.
Fleece Shows
The aim of the alpaca fleece show is to provide a competition, which recognizes those characteristics of alpaca that are desired by manufacturers/processors and producers. The fleece is judged off the animal and contributes the entire judging score. Judging criteria for alpaca fleeces has been standardized to enable uniformity of judging. Fleeces are awarded a score out of a possible 100 points and are shown in colour and age categories.
Points are designated for the following attributes.
¥ Fineness and handle: 20 pts
¥ Uniformity of micron: 10 pts
¥ Brightness:10 pts
¥ Uniformity of colour: 5 pts
¥ Character: 10 pts
¥ Uniformity of length: 5 pts
¥ Density: 5 pts
¥ Impurities: 5 pts
¥ Medullation: 10 pts
¥ Clean fleece weight: 20 pts
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The Future
The alpaca industry outside of South America is still in its infancy. It wasn't until the early 1980's that South America allowed the export of these animals declaring them a "National resource and patrimony". However, with little publicity these producers of luxury fibre are showing up in areas far from their Andean origins. More importantly they are showing up in areas where educated breeders backed with generations of proven research and scientific breeding programs can efficiently pursue the goal of developing high quality breeding stock. A base herd of alpacas in Canada is now established providing both the numbers and the genetic diversity to enable producers to go forward.
The current industry in Canada is still stud based, primarily focussed on the sale of breeding stock. This is done so with the knowledge that this will be the focus for some years due to the relatively small size of the existing national herd, the difficulty in importing alpacas and their slow reproduction rate. These restraints in supply are balanced by the demand created by the positive attributes of the alpaca. They are environmentally friendly, safe, easy to handle, hardy and practical. It is doubtful that any other farm animal can equal the alpaca's potential in providing agricultural returns on small acreage.
With careful strategic management and planning the industry has the potential to develop into an important natural fibre producer. Breeders in Canada have a strong commitment to the industry encouraged by the knowledge that the market for alpaca fibre is already well established.
With this in mind, breeders in Canada are currently developing their herds and genetically selecting for the most productive animals with an emphasis on producing a fleece that is even, fine and consistent throughout. Early alpacas like the early merino sheep and the modern cashmere goat were two coated.
The fleece being made up of primary fibres (guard hairs), essential natural protection for the fleece, and secondary fibres that are much softer and highly desirable for clothing. The aim of current breeders is to breed an alpaca where the two coats (which still exist to some degree in the majority of alpacas) are virtually indistinguishable. This ensures ease of processing, softness, lightweight and no prickle factor in the finished product. There is enough evidence in Canada to show the alpaca is capable of vast improvements in a relatively short period of time. There is also additional archaeological evidence. The animals imported into North America were the generational survivors of the Spanish conquest when vast herds were slaughtered and breeding programs abandoned. Herds of completely different qualities were allowed to mix. The archaeological evidence shows us that alpaca fleece during the reign of the Inca was consistently much finer and more uniform than it was in those original North American imported alpacas. Selective breeding in Canada has already been able to reduce primary fibres, increase the spread of the quality fibre in the fleece and increase density, all of which has ensured greater returns for the breeder.
As a consequence of the establishment of alpaca herds in regions outside of South America awareness of the unique quality of alpaca is increasing. Worldwide recognition gained from the promotional activities of breeders in such countries as Canada, the United States and Australia will continue to ensure that the future for the alpaca industry will be a vigorous and profitable one.
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