Llamas of Alohallama Forest Ranch: Miniature Llamas

Miniature Llamas

Many people think miniature llamas are just "little llamas" or llamas that have "failed to grow". Even some llama breeders fail to accept the miniature and put down miniatures as somehow less valuable, inferior to or less legitimate than full-size llamas. However, the same is said by some of the extremely large llamas that are being produced today and becoming a popular standard or the fancy, single- coated "suri" llamas which have made their way into the llama show ring as a special category of llama. There is a place in the world of llamas for a variety of different llamas and just because it is different doesn't make it worse or inferior. The llama community is just starting to realize the value of the miniature llama and miniature classes have begun to take place and a number of major shows throughout the US.

Legitimate, registered miniature llamas are being carefully bred from select parentage to purposely produce the miniature for its small size while retaining good conformation, excellent fiber and other quality characteristics in relation to its small size. Caution should be taken when purchasing llamas being sold as "small" or "miniatures" when they may in fact be just small llamas which have failed to grow due to environmental or physical conditions. The true miniature needs to meet specific standards not the least of which is to have been bred from miniatures or foundation stock.

The American Miniature Llama Association has set standards for miniature llamas and has begun registering llamas that meet those standards. The basic standard is that a miniature cannot exceed 38 inches in height at the withers at the age of three years. Prior to three years, llamas that are 36 inches or less can be provisionally registered as "Immature Status" if the female parent is a registered miniature. Immature status llamas must be reregistered after they reach three years of age. Llamas over 38 inches but less than 40 inches can be registered as "miniature foundation stock", but not as miniature llamas.

The advantages of miniature llamas are obvious. They are easier to transport in cars and small vehicles, they can go places larger llamas cannot, they are a better size for young children, they consume less food and take up less pasture room, they are easier for a small person to handle and they are a true novelty. Less than 200 registered miniatures exist in the US today and probably less than 500 llamas in the US could qualify as true miniatures (that is bred from a miniature sire and dam pair).

Currently Alohallama Forest Ranch has no miniature llamas available for sale. If interested you are interested in learning more about miniature llamas, visit the official website of the American Miniature Llama Association.

Ali'i O' Checkmate - 6yr 39.5"
(Miniature Foundation Stock)
Available for outside breedings

You can visit the official miniature llama web site at . www.miniaturellamas.com

Herd sire Row	Picture Gallery	FAQs	About Us
Sale Llamas	Llama Organizations	Llama Shows	Llama Care
Before You Buy	Kids & Llamas	Miniature Llamas	Llama Links