Alpaca Fleece and Conformation Guidelines

The charts below show what judges look for in the show ring and of what order of importance. It is good information to have if you are thinking of showing your alpacas.

To view the judging guidelines scroll down or click on the links below:
   Juvenile Conformation
   Juvenile Huacaya Fleece
   Juvenile Suri Fleece
   Yearling Conformation
   Yearling Huacaya Fleece
   Yearling Suri Fleece
   Adult Conformation
   Adult Huacaya Fleece
   Adult Suri Fleece

Legend: Numbered 1, 2, 3:

 

 

1 = Primary Emphasis

JUVENILES

2 = Moderate Emphasis

3 = Lesser Emphasis

 

 

 

 

 

Conformation

JUVENILE

JUVENILE

 

Male

Female

Bite- Lower teeth must meet forward edge of upper dental pad.

1
(1/4 inch back,
1/8 inch forward is acceptable)

1
(1/4 inch back,
1/8 inch forward

is acceptable)

Bite- The Lower gum line should be set back from the leading edge of the top dental pad.

1
(1/4" to 1/2")

1
(1/4" to 1/2")

Ears- Erect, spear-shaped and of appropriate length.

1

1

Front Legs- Straight (not base narrow at the feet)

1

1

Body Score- ideal condition is 5 out of 10 - acceptable range is 4 to 6

1

1

Leg Anomalies- Dropped Pasterns

1

1

Testicles- Two must be palpable

1

 

Female Genitalia- normal in appearance and size

 

1

Hind legs- Straight (not base narrow at the feet)

1 

1

Tail- Straight/Length (no structural deviations from normal)

1

1

 

 

 

Hind legs- Straight (not cow-hocked as viewed from the rear)

2

2

Hind legs- Substance of bone relative to age and size

2

2

Body Capacity- Breadth & depth of the body, chest & abdomen

2

2

Body Capacity- Hind Quarters:broad & well-muscled

2

2

Overall Balance & Proportion - standing square on all four legs; neck and legs of equal length.  Length of neck and legs 2/3 of length of back.

2

2

 

 

 

Head- depth of jaw from eye to bottom of jaw

3

3

Neck- angle is within 90-100 degrees

3

3

Topline- level behind withers to hip and rounded at croup to tail set.

3

3

Hind legs- Side view lie between post-legged and sickle-hocked (intermediate is optimum).

3

3

Hind legs- Angular limb deviations

3

3

Movement- leg set & angulation affect tracking

3

3

Front Legs- Angular limb deviation (knock-kneed, turned out/toes out)

3

3

Front Legs- Toed in (one leg or both)

3

3

Leg Anomalies- minor expression

3

3

Testicles- consistent in size and texture.

3

 

 


Legend: Numbered 1, 2, 3:

 

 

1 = Primary Emphasis

JUVENILES

2 = Moderate Emphasis

3 = Lesser Emphasis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fleece– HUACAYA

Male

Female

Fineness

1

1

Density/fleece weight

1

1

Staple length

1

1

Uniformity of color in the blanket from one area to another

1

1

Lack of guard hair

1

1

 

 

 

Character/Crimp

2

2

Handle (CV)

2

2

Brightness

2

2

Uniformity from one area to another

 

 

Micron/Fineness

2

2

Character/Crimp

2

2

Density

2

2

Length

2

2

 

 

 

 

Color- Greys/Indefinites/Multis

3

3

 

 

 

Fleece – SURI

Male

Female

Luster

1

1

Density/fleece weight

1

1

Fineness

1

1

Staple length

1

1

Uniformity of color in the blanket from one area to another

1

1

Lack of guard hair

1

1

 

 

 

Lock Style

2

2

Handle (CV)

2

2

Uniformity from one area to another

 

 

Lock Style

2

2

Length

2

2

Fineness

2

2

Density

2

2

Luster

2

2

 

 

 

 

Color- Greys/Indefinite/Multis

3

3


 

Legend: Numbered 1, 2, 3:

 

 

1 = Primary Emphasis

YEARLINGS

2 = Moderate Emphasis

3 = Lesser Emphasis

 

 

 

 

 

Conformation

YEARLING

YEARLING

 

Male

Female

Bite- Lower teeth must meet forward edge of upper dental pad.

1
(1/4 inch back

is acceptable)

1
(1/4 inch back,
1/8 inch forward

is acceptable)

Bite- The Lower gum line should be set back from the leading edge of the top dental pad.