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This web site was developed for the dissemination of information pertaining to the International Alpaca Judging School - in the altiplano, and incentives to establish an International Alpaca Standard and International Show Format for use by the global alpaca industry.
IAJS 2000 Report IAJS Show Format I.A.J.S. PHILOSOPHY News and Updates
The International Alpaca Standards.
The International alpaca standard was developed by the inaugural sessions of the International Alpaca Judging School - in the altiplano. 16 students and two instructors representing 7 different alpaca breeding countries were in evolved in drafting this document. Of the individuals involoved there were a majority of experienced judges and all were experienced breeders of alpacas. It is believed that this suri and huacaya standard are excellent base documents for the initiation of open negotiations for adoption on a global level. The intention is to set up a task force of representatives from each country to make recommendation to the world wide industry pertaining to adopting these standards.
THE HUACAYA ALPACA
General appearance
The ideal Huacaya alpaca has a squared off appearance with
four strong legs. It is a graceful, well proportioned animal with the neck
being two thirds of the length of the back and the legs matching the length
of the neck. It is well covered with fibre from the top of the head
to the toes. It has fibre characteristics that differ distinctly to the
Suri Alpaca.
Height and weight
The height at the withers of the adult alpaca is no less than
85cm (32”) and the average weight of an adult alpaca is 60kg (140lbs).
Minor faults
Small sized with less than 85cm (32”) measurement at the withers.
Oversized with llama characteristics.
Head
The head is neatly formed of medium length with a square muzzle.
It bears two upright spear shaped ears between which there is a full fibre
top knot or bonnet. The eyes protrude slightly from their sockets, are
large and round. They can be of several shades including black (95% of
population), with the other acceptable colour being brown. There are also
various of shades of blue eyes with or without coloured flecks. The jaws
fit together well, with the lower incisors meeting the upper dental
pad. The upper lip is centrally divided and mobile to give them more dexterity
in gathering food from certain plants. The nose has two well defined flaring
nostrils. Darker pigmentation to the skin is preferred around the mouth
and eyes giving them added protection to ultra violet light irradiation.
Major faults
Deafness in blue-eyed alpacas with lack of skin pigmentation and
white fleece.
Gopher ears
Superior and inferior Prognathism.
Wry face
Minor faults
A straight inside boarder or banana type configuration of
the ear (showing llama traits)
Foreword set ears.
Roman nose (llama tendency)
Narrow head
Muffled face ( fibre or hair impeding the alpacas vision )
Lack of pigmentation on the lips and around the eyes.
WARNING
This document in its entirety is under copy
write by Maggie Krieger Consulting Ltd. Dated 19th 2000. Copies may
be made by permission of Maggie Krieger at mkriegeralpaca@saltspring.com
or (250)537-9446.
Body
The neck of the alpaca is straight and upright and blends smoothly
into the back, which is normally very slightly rounded in the Huacaya.
The rear of the alpaca has a tucked in tail appearance which is due to
the angulation of its pelvis being more vertical than the llama, sitting
at about 60 degrees from the horizontal. This gives the tail a noticeably
lower set than that of the llama. The chest should have depth to allow
adequate capacity for air exchange.
Major faults
Lateral deviations of the spine
Herniated umbilicus
Minor faults
Roach back
Sagging back
U neck
Lateral deviations of the neck
Disproportionate length of neck (too long or too short)
Legs
The legs are supported by four two toed feet, with each toe
supporting a long toenail. They should be straight with the joints aligned
to a perpendicular plumb line from the hip posteriorly and shoulder anteriorly.
The shoulder blade is attached by muscular tissue to the thoracic cage
but should move freely as the animal strides. A leathery padded membrane
that lessens the impact on the environment where they tread protects the
feet.
Major faults
Excessive angular limb deformity
Subluxing patellae
Minor faults
Front legs:
Knocked knees
Calf knees/cocked pasterns
Bucked knees/ dropped pasterns
Medially or laterally deviated pasterns
Splay leg
Rear legs:
Cow hocks
Sickle hocks
Bowlegs
Cocked pasterns
Dropped pasterns
Poorly maintained toe nails
Gait
A free flowing stride is characteristic of the alpaca. Its
normal slow speed gait is a stable four point gait where each foot is moved
and planted separately. At a faster speed the alpaca has a pacing gait
which is two point, where the two feet on either side are moved together.
Major faults
Excessive angular limb deformity causing excessively abnormal movement
Subluxing patellae causing abnormal rear gait
Minor faults
Joints tracking medially or laterally to the vertical plum
line.
Gaits associated with angular limb deformity such as, winging, arcing,
rope walking and throwing out
of the front limbs where there is rotation at the joints of the front limb.
Genitalia
Female genitalia
The genitalia of the female are protected internally and therefore
not visible from the outside.
However the vaginal opening should be well covered by the tail,
should not be too small and should be situated in a vertical rather than
a horizontal plane.
Minor faults
Horizontally situated pelvic floor
Tipped up clitoris
Major faults
Too small of a vaginal opening
Hemaphroditism
Lack of any part of the reproductive system.
Male genitalia
The most visible part of the male genitalia are the testicles
which are situated and protected underneath the tail. The scrotum is well
attached relatively small and carries the testicles, which are even in
size. The penis is also an external organ, which is situated under the
belly between the rear legs. The normal size of fully developed testicles
is:
4cm in length, 2.5cm in width in the adult male alpaca.
Major faults
Hermaphroditism
Ectopic testicles (These testes are located outside the abdominal
cavity under the skin, sometimes migrating down the leg )
Cryptorchidism of the testicles/unilateral or bilateral (the
lack of one or more testicles in the scrotum)
Too soft or too hard testicular consistency
Cystic testicles
Unilateral or Bilateral Hypoplasia of the testes. (One or
both testicles of abnormally small size for the age)
Fibre
Huacaya alpacas produce a fine soft fibre that grows perpendicular
to the skin. In the ideal Huacaya alpaca there is marked crimp formation
as the fibre grows out of 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 following fibre characteristics
are applicable to huacaya fibre:
1. Fineness – this is the thickness of the fibre which is measured
in microns. The finest fibre on the alpaca is found in the blanket area,
however it is desirable to have fine fibre on the neck, belly , legs and
top knot. Fineness is important for both commercial processor and the fibre
grower since premium prices are paid for fine fibre and fine fibre translated
into fine end products. Crimp is also related to fineness and it is desirable
too to have a high number of waves per cm. or inch.
2. Density – is the number of fibres per square measurement of skin.
Density is associated with fleece weight since the more fibres per square
unit measurement, the more fleece will be grown and the heavier the fleece.
A dense crimped fleece also acts as a barrier to dirt and weather.
3. Character – is closely related to density, as strong crimp definition
and staple formation is necessary to achieve heavy fleece weights.
4. Length of staple – is a very important factor in the amount
of fleece shorn from the huacaya alpaca. The more length of staple that
is grown the more weight of fleece there will be.
5. Brightness – is the amount of light that reflects from the fibre
and is seen in the Huacaya.
6. Medulated fibre – is the coarse microned fibre that grows
in the lesser quality areas of the alpaca. Lack of medulated fibre in the
prime or blanket area is desirable.
7. Uniformity of micron – processors require fleece of minimum variation
in fibre diameter. This also helps to eliminate fleece tenderness (fleece
breakage)
8. Uniformity of length – The fleece should be of the same length
for twelve months growth.
Faults
Open fleece with no density
Dull fleece
Harsh handle
Short staple length
Guard hair
Lack of overall coverage
Tenderness and stress breaks
Matting and cotting
Colour
Huacaya fleece comes in varying shades of colour white, fawn,
brown, grey, rose grey, and black. The ideal alpaca should have a uniform
solid colour throughout the entire fleece. However they can be any combination
of the above.
THE SURI ALPACA
General appearance
The ideal Suri alpaca has a squared off elegant appearance
with four strong legs. It is a graceful, well-proportioned animal with
the neck being two thirds of the length of the back and the legs matching
the length of the neck. It is well covered with fibre from the top
of the head to the toes. It has fibre characteristics that differ distinctly
to the Huacaya Alpaca.
Height and weight
The height at the withers of the adult alpaca is no less than
85cm (32”) and the average weight of an adult alpaca is 60kg (140lbs).
Minor faults
Small sized with less than 85cm (32”) measurement at the withers.
Oversized with llama characteristics.
Head
The head is neatly formed of medium length with a square muzzle.
Suris have more of a tapering shape to the muzzle. They bear two
upright spear shaped ears between which there is a full fibre top knot
or bonnet that falls typically in a fringe over the brow. Suri ears are
approximately 2cm longer that Huacaya ears. The eyes protrude slightly
from their sockets, are large and round. They can be of several shades
including black (95% of population), brown, and various shades of
blue with or without coloured flecks. The jaws fit together well,
with the lower incisors meeting the upper dental pad. The upper lip is
centrally divided and mobile to give more dexterity for feeding off certain
plants. The nose has two well defined flaring nostrils.
Major faults
Deafness in blue-eyed alpacas with lack of skin pigmentation and
white fleece.
Gopher ears
Superior and inferior Prognathism.
Wry face
Minor faults
A straight inside boarder or banana type configuration of
the ear (showing llama traits)
Foreword set ears.
Roman nose (llama tendency)
Narrow head
Muffled face ( fibre or hair impeding the alpacas vision or
retained on the adult face )
Body
The neck of the suri alpaca is straight and upright and blends
smoothly into the back, which is normally straight. The rear of the alpaca
has a tucked in tail appearance which is due to the angulation of its pelvis
being more vertical than the llama, sitting at about 60 degrees from the
horizontal. This gives the tail a noticeably lower set than that of the
llama. The back of the suri tends to be straighter than that of the Huacaya.
The chest should have depth to allow adequate capacity for air exchange
on exertion.
Major faults
Lateral deviations of the spine
Herniated umbilicus
Minor faults
Roach back
Sagging back
U neck
Lateral deviations of the neck
Disproportionate length of neck (too long or too short)
Legs
The legs are supported by four two toed feet, with each toe
supporting a long toenail. They should be straight with the joints aligned
to a perpendicular plumb line from the hip posteriorly and shoulder anteriorly.
The shoulder blade is attached by muscular tissue to the thoracic cage
but should move freely as the animal strides. A leathery padded membrane
that lessens the impact on the environment where they tread protects the
feet.
Major faults
Excessive angular limb deformity
Subluxing patellae
Minor faults
Front legs:
Knocked knees
Calf knees/cocked pasterns
Bucked knees/ dropped pasterns
Medially or laterally deviated pasterns
Splay leg
Rear legs:
Cow hocks
Sickle hocks
Bowlegs
Cocked pasterns
Dropped pasterns
Gait
A free flowing stride is characteristic of the alpaca. Its
normal slow speed gait is a stable four point gait where each foot is moved
and planted separately. At a faster speed the alpaca has a pacing gait,
which is two point, where the two feet on either side are moved together.
Major Faults
Excessively abnormal angular limb deformity causing excessive
disruption to the gait
Subluxing patellae causing disruption to rear gait
Minor faults
Joints tracking medially or laterally to the vertical plum
line.
Gaits associated with angular limb deformity such as, winging, arcing,
rope walking and throwing out
the front limbs where there is rotation at the joints of the front limb.
Genitalia
Female genitalia
The genitalia of the female are protected internally and therefore
not visible from the outside.
However the vaginal opening should be well covered by the tail,
should not be too small and should be situated in a vertical rather than
a horizontal plane.
Major faults
Excessively small of a vaginal opening
Hemaphroditism
Lack of any part of the reproductive system.
Minor faults
Horizontally situated pelvic floor
Tipped up clitoris
Male genitalia
The most visible part of the male genitalia are the testicles
which are situated and protected underneath the tail. The scrotum is well
attached relatively small and carries the testicles, which are even in
size. The penis is also an external organ, which is situated under the
belly between the rear legs. The normal size of fully developed testicles
is:
34cm in length, 2.5cm in width in the adult male alpaca.
Major faults
Hermaphroditism
Ectopic testicles (These testes are located outside the abdominal
cavity under the skin, sometimes migrating down the leg )
Cryptorchidism of the testicles/unilateral or bilateral (the
lack of one or more testicles in the scrotum)
Too soft or too hard testicular consistency
Cystic testicles
Unilateral or Bilateral Hypoplasia of the testes. (One or
both testicles of abnormally small size for the age)
Fibre
The primary characteristics of the Suri fleece are its lock
structure, high lustre, silky handle and long staple length. The fleece
falls close to the body, moves freely, and gives the Suri a flat sided,
lustrous appearance. The locks can have a pencilled ringlet formation,
curling to the left or right, or a wave structure that forms from the skin
of the alpaca. The fleece locking should begin from the forelock and continue
uniformly down the neck, across the blanket through the legs. The following
fibre characteristics are applicable to Suri fibre:
1. Fineness - this is the thickness of the fibre, which is measured
in microns. The finest fibre on the alpaca is found in the blanket area,
however it is desirable to have fine fibre on the neck, belly , legs and
top knot. Fineness is important for both commercial processor and the fibre
grower since premium prices are paid for fine fibre and fine fibre translated
into
fine end products.
2. Density - is the number of fibres per square measurement of skin.
Density is associated with fleece weight since the more fibres per square
unit measurement, the more fleece will be grown and the heavier the fleece.
3. Character – in the suri character is defined by its uniform pencilled
lock structure, which is ideally a tight ringlet formation curling to either
the right or left and forming at the skin of the alpaca. A waved lock formation
can also be found. Independence of lock is desirable with the locks forming
in layers from the skin.
4. Lustre - is the sheen or shine that reflects from the fleece.
This is a highly desirable trait in the suri fleece and translates in the
end product.
5. Length of staple – is a very important factor in the amount of
fleece shorn from the Suri alpaca. The more length of staple that is grown
the more weight of fleece there will be.
6. Medulation – there should be little or no evidence of medulated
fibres in the fleece.
Colour
Suri fleece comes in varying shades of colour white, fawn,
brown, grey, rose grey, and black. The ideal Suri alpaca should have a
uniform solid colour throughout the entire fleece. However they can be
any combination of the above.
Faults
Open fleece lacking lock definition
Lack of density
Crimp
Dull fleece
Harsh handle
Short staple length
Guard hair
Lack of overall coverage
Tenderness and stress breaks
Matting and cotting
The I.A.J.S. would like to thank the students of the inaugural
course for their major efforts and contributions in drafting and completing
this International Alpaca Standard.
Special acknowledgements to Dr Julio Sumar, and Maggie Krieger
This document has been presented to the International Alpaca Association (Peru), the Canadian Llama and Alpaca Breeders Association, the British Alpaca Society, the Alpaca Owners and breeders Association and the Australian Alpaca Association.
It is hope that in good faith and through open negotiation these standards may become adopted by all alpaca breeding nations to engender the breeding of higher quality productive alpacas on a world wide basis.