How many breeds of llamas are there?

[Bil]

In alpacas there are 2 breeds, Huacaya and Suri. How many llama breeds are there?

 

[kstaven]

TWO South Americans developed the ccara for work and lanuda for fiber production. North americans crossed the two decades ago and thus created mutts; for the lack of a better word. Some breeders out there are actively trying to straighten this out.

 

[laughingllama75]

there are varieties.....
Suri
Argentine
Bolivian
Chilean
Ccara
http://www.ccarallama.com/

also, check out the International Llama Registry http://www.lamaregistry.com/

there are
heavy wooled
medium wooled
light wooled
with the chielean, bolivian and argentinian being in te heavy wool category. the Suri are like the suri alpaca, same type of fiber. the Ccara is the classic llama, look them all up on the net, you will find some good pics. Have fun!
(I have bolivian and Ccara)

 

[kstaven]

Those are the north american type derivations.

 

[laughingllama75]

Those are the north american type derivations.

Yes, but wasn't the question how many breeds are there?

 

[kstaven]

Those are the north american type derivations.

Yes, but wasn't the question how many breeds are there?

The word "Breeds" seems to be being used very loosely here.

 

[CathyK]

I think when the llama folks were deciding, the term they used was 'classification' and light wool, medium and heavy.

They used to use classic llama too, but really difficult to ascertain what that really was.

We have had llamas, and we use them for packing, for 15 years. I have never heard of llamas referred to as 'different breeds' though.

For me it's sort of like saying, long-haired daschund, wire-haired dashund.

Don't know very much about alpacas, except I thought the suri and other ones distinquished fibre type.

Anyway, I probably didn't answer the question very well.