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LLAMA ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALASIA Inc.

REGISTRY GUIDELINES
THIRD EDITION 2005

Published by:
Llama Association of Australasia (LAA)
c2005

This document cannot be reproduced in its entirety or in part by any means, including in print or by electronic means, without the approval of the LAA Management Committee. (Current LAA members for personal use are exempt)

The Llama Association of Australasia Inc. (LAA)

Australasian Lama Registry : Guidelines
Third Edition 2005

1. PURPOSE
The purpose of the Australasian Lama Registry (ALR) is to encourage lama breeders to aim towards producing the best quality lama possible, both in physical conformation and appearance; and in temperament and suitability for task or purpose.

The Australasian Lama Registry is to maintain a record of llama identification and genealogy, and of llama ownership.

1.2 USE
The Australasian Lama Registry can be used as a source of statistics and genealogy history. Its data will be made available to LAA members, authorized government departments, or other reputable researchers, upon request and payment of the appropriate fee.

2. DEFINITION OF LAMA
Members of the South American Camelid (SAC) family are classified under the genus Lama (single “L”).

Species within the Lama Genus are the Guanaco (Lama guanaco), the Alpaca (Lama pacos pacos) and the Llama (Lama glama). All species within the Lama Genus, plus the Vicugna (Vicugna vicugna), can be interbred and produce fertile offspring.

3. REGISTRY STRUCTURE

3.1 ADMINISTRATION

a)	The registry is administered by the Registry Sub-committee of the LAA.
b)	The registry sub-committee must consist of one Registrar and can have up to two other members, one of whom may be the registry manager. Members of the registry sub-committee, except for the registry manager, must be members of the LAA but do not have to be part of the LAA (management) committee.
c)	The registry sub-committee works under direction from, and reports to, the LAA committee.
d)	The registry manager works under direction from, and reports to, the Registrar
e)	The Registrar must make a formal report to the LAA committee at least once per year.
f)	All registry related stationary and hardware, eg. service certificates, microchips, microchip implanter and scanner etc. is available from the Registrar upon request and payment of the appropriate fee.

3.2 STRUCTURE
The Australasian Lama Registry is open to llamas, guanaco and crosses and is divided into divisions according to species.

a)	Llama Division (for pure bred llama).
b)	Guanaco Division (for pure bred guanaco).
c)	Crossbred Division (for offspring of a cross-breeding between different species of lama, eg. llama and guanaco, or llama and alpaca). Both parents of a crossbred offspring must be eligible for registration, or already be registered in their own division, for their offspring to be eligible for registration in the crossbred division. i. ii. Alpaca should be registered with the International Alpaca Registry. iii. Vicugna are protected in their country of origin and generally are not exported. They are not registered here.

4. DIVISIONS

4.1 LLAMA DIVISION

a)	Both sire and dam must be llamas.
b)	Llamas must meet the breed standard – see separate LAA Llama Breed Standard for details.
c)	Any llama which exhibits any disqualifying fault as set out in the LAA Llama Breed Standard will not be eligible for registration as breeding stock. (see Breed Standard: section on Disqualifying Faults)
d)	The llama type classification, which is based on fleece-type, colour, and colour pattern, (see Section 5), must be nominated by the owner at the time of registration. As it is often difficult to accurately distinguish between a short or medium wool llama, or a medium to long wool llama at a young age, this classification can be amended when the animal is aged 18-24 months, if necessary.

4.1.1 FOUNDATION LLAMAS

a)	Foundation llamas are those which are imported from overseas, and/or whose sire and dam are unknown.
b)	The llama offspring of accidental matings where the sire cannot be identified can be registered as foundation lamas.
c)	To be eligible for registration, foundation llamas must meet the LAA Llama Breed Standard. This is especially important if there is any doubt as to the species of either parent of an accidental mating. If still in doubt the offspring should be placed into the crossbred division.

4.2 GUANACO DIVISION

a)

Both sire and dam must be guanaco.

b)

Animals applying for registration in this division must meet the following criteria. The animal must exhibit the following typical guanaco characteristics: long, spear shaped ears; a long, thin, rectangular face; low set eyes; a prominent chin; high withers; a slightly rounded top-line. The height of the adult should be approximately 106 cm at the withers; the fleece distribution is as a short wool llama. In colour, it should conform to the “natural” or “wild” colouration of the traditional lama, (see Section 5.2). Generally, the guanaco will have a lighter frame, a longer tail, and produce less abundant wool when compared to the llama. Although the LAA does not have a Guanaco Breed Standard at the moment, if one is developed in the future this Breed Standard would override above should any inconsistencies occur

4.3 CROSSBRED DIVISION

a)	Have parents which are not of the same species of lama.
b)	If the progeny of crossbred animals is bred back to a pure bred animal for 4 generations, then this offspring is deemed to be back to the pure line and can be registered in the appropriate pure bred division.

5. CLASSIFICATIONS
Classification, or the naming of lama varieties, is usually based on the fleece/wool type, colour, and colour pattern. The following classifications should be used for registration of llamas, and can also be used for crossbred animals.

5.1 FLEECE TYPE CLASSIFICATION
When referring to the type of fibre on a llama, the terms fleece and wool are often used interchangeably. In these registry guidelines the term wool has been adopted.

Wool type classification can often be difficult in very young animals. It can be especially difficult to distinguish between short and medium fleeced animals, and often between some medium and long fleeced llamas. Because of this, the wool type classification can be amended, if necessary, between the age of 18-24 months as the animal matures.

5.1.1 SHORT WOOL
A short wool animal has a clean smooth head, ears and legs, and a short dense fleece all around the neck. . There is a short dense fleece of body wool, which is double coated, having a coarser outer coat (guard hair) and a finer under coat. The fleece of a short wool animal is at least partially shed annually.

5.1.2 MEDIUM WOOL
A medium wool animal has a clean, smooth head and ears. Although medium wool animals may have tufts of hair below the knees or hocks, the amount is not significant. There is a dense, usually double coated fleece, of body wool. The neck wool, which in young animals may be longish all round is partially shed on maturity, leaving a short soft fleece on the front and longer hairier fleece on the back of the neck – this sometimes resembles a mane. A medium wool animal does not have long wool all around the neck, or significant wool on the legs, or below the knees or hocks.

5.1.3 LONG WOOL
The head of a long wool animal may be covered in short smooth hair all over, or have a fringing of longer hair around or over the eyes and along the edges of the ears. The fleece on the legs usually extends to below the knees or hocks. The neck wool is long all around the neck and is not shed. The body fleece is long and can be either “single” (no noticeable difference between the guard hair and the under-wool), or “double” (obvious guard hair).

Fleece types for long wool animals may vary from one which stands out perpendicularly from the body, to one which hangs straight or is in waves. This long hair may result in a “parting” along the back and sometimes down the neck.

5.1.3.1 SURI WOOL: Suri wool llamas have the same wool distribution as other long wool llamas, but the fibre forms into cords. These hanging cords, which form close to the skin and maintain a uniform profile to the tips, give the Suri Llama an appearance of stretchiness and narrowness, especially when viewed from the front.

5.2 COLOUR CLASSIFICATION
Colour selection is made by opening the fleece and assessing the colour nearest to the skin. A maximum of three (3) colours may be selected for each animal with the predominant colour listed first, and then the next two major colours (if any) listed in descending order.
The colours listed below cover the broad spectrum of available colours and you should match to the nearest like colour when selecting the colour for registration. A colour chart, available from the Registry, will assist in defining colours:

A guanaco seeking registration in the Guanaco Division can only have the “Natural” or “Wild” colouration and patterning. This will give the guanaco a two tone look with a caramel coloured body, a lighter colour on the belly region, and a grey head

5.3 PATTERN CLASSIFICATION
When deciding on the colour pattern, selection is be to be made from the broad pattern themes listed below. The term dark points can be used as a suffix to another pattern and would usually be seen with a solid colour llama, as in solid medium brown with black points*. A pattern chart, available from the Registry, will assist in defining colour patterns
(* light brown or grey animals will often have charcoal or grey points)

Solid: single colour
Tuxedo: solid body colour, with white markings confined to face, neck, chest and lower legs
Paint: patches of colour on a white background
Black or Dark points: solid body colour with darker head, legs and tail
Natural: fawn to light brown body colour, lighter underneath, with greyish markings on the head and lower legs
Appaloosa: darker spots on a light background
Reverse Appaloosa: lighter spots on a dark background
Tortoiseshell: tri-coloured, black, brown and fawn as in a tortoiseshell cat.

Click here to download the REGISTRATION COLOUR CHART

6. GENERAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION

6.1 BREEDER
The breeder(s) is/are defined as the owner(s) or lessee of a lama’s dam at the time of birth.

6.2 OWNER
An owner is the person(s) who holds legal possession of a lama.

a)	Each owner(s) will be assigned a three or four character owner code.
b)	To register a lama the owner(s) must be financial member(s) of the LAA.
c)	The owner(s) may nominate an agent to handle registry activities for them. An owner must notify the Registrar in writing of the name of the agent and include the time period that this agent is authorised to act for him/her.

6.3 OWNER RESPONSIBILITY/DECLARATIONS

a)	Only the current owner(s) can register a lama.
b)	Owners are responsible for supplying the registry with accurate information in relation to births, deaths, breeding, and transfer of ownership.
c)	Registration application forms must be filled in completely and accurately for the registration to proceed and include the signature(s) of the current owner(s) or an owner’s authorised agent.
d)	wners acknowledge that there may be release of registry data from time to time as specified in Section 1.2.0

6.4 NAMING

a)	Breeders must register a prefix to be used as part of the registered name of a lama. This prefix is usually the breeders’ farm name. If this prefix differs from the breeders’ farm name, a written request must be made to the registry for the change. No permission will be given for the registration of an already existing prefix and only the owner(s) of the prefix may use it in the name of a lama. (see also section 6(c) & 6(h)).
b)	The prefix, if known, must be used in the lama’s registered name, except in foundation llamas (see Section 4.1.1).
c)	Names must not be offensive or misleading. Any suspect name submitted for registration will be referred to the registration committee for assessment.
d)	Each name must be unique, differing from any other by at least one character.
e)	Registration software restrictions limit names to a maximum of 30 characters, including the prefix and spaces.
f)	Name changes are only permitted for registered llamas with no registered offspring. Name changes will only occur under exceptional circumstances where the registered name is considered to be unsuitable, and providing that the present owner(s) can supply written and signed approval from both the breeder(s) and the Registrar.

6.5. SERVICE CERTIFICATES

a)	A service certificate, filled in at the time of mating, is required for all matings. This then becomes a legal document verifying the sire and dam.
b)	The service certificate is to be signed by the owner(s) of the sire, or the stud manager, or authorised agent of the owner.
c)	Three copies of this certificate are to be kept. One copy by the owner(s) of the covering sire, one copy by the owner(s) of the serviced female and one is to be included with the application to register the offspring.

6.6 AGE OF LAMA
A lama can be registered from birth.

6.7 SEX OF LAMA

a)	A lama’s sex must be stated on the registration application form.
b)	If a male lama is castrated, it is to be registered as a gelding.
c)	If a registered male llama is castrated the registry should be notified and the registration certificate will be amended.
d)	No provision is made for the registration of a de-sexed female lama at this time, as this is not common or current practice. All female lamas are to be registered as female.

6.8 PERMANENT LAMA IDENTIFICATION

a)	An identification microchip must be implanted at the base of the left ear of the lama to be registered. The microchips and implanter are available from the Registrar upon application and payment of the appropriate fee.
b)	Other nominated sites for microchip implantation may be accepted upon written request stating why this is necessary.
c)	Because of the permanent nature of the microchip other forms of identification are not necessary for registration.
d)	It is the owner(s) responsibility to ensure that the implanted microchip remains in working order. If, for some reason the inserted microchip is expelled from, or moves within, the lama and cannot be found, then a new chip should be inserted and the registry updated with the new number as soon as possible. This is to keep the registry and lama identification accurate.

6.9 TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP

a)	The registry should be notified of all owner transfers of registered lama.
b)	The transfer section on the back of the certificate should be filled in and sent to the registry with the appropriate fee.
c)	The transfer must be signed and dated by the seller.
d)	The registry should be notified of transfers within 120 days

6.10. LENGTH OF REGISTRATION
Once accepted into the registry, lamas remain registered for life.

6.11 DEATH OF LAMA

a)	On the death of a lama the appropriated section on the back of the certificate is to be completed and sent to the registry.
b)	The date and cause of death should be included if known.

7.1 CERTIFICATE CONTENTS

a)	The following information about the lama being registered will be shown on the registration certificate: i. Name ii. ALR Number iii. Microchip number iv. Colour v. Sex vi. Current owner vii. Owner code
b)	The following information about the lama being registered, if known and applicable, will be shown on the registration certificate i. Lama species ii. Llama fleece classification iii. Name and owner code of the dam owner at time of service (breeder) iv. Name and owner code of dam owner at time of cria’s birth v. Name and owner code of the sire owner at time of service vi. Pedigree/ancestor information vii. Date of birth viii. Ear tag number ix. Country of origin – (country where dam was serviced) x. Country of birth xi. ILR number
c)	The following information about the registered lama’s ancestors, if available, will be shown on the registration certificate i. Name ii. ALR number iii. ILR number or ear tag number iv. Species v. Owner code of breeder vi. Country of origin

7.2 CORRECTION OF ERRORS

a)	Errors made by the registry will be corrected free of charge upon notification
b)	Errors made by the owner will be corrected upon notification and submission of the incorrect registration certificate and payment of the appropriated fee.
c)	If a cria of under 12 months of age is registered and it becomes apparent that its adult fleece classification has changed, the registration certificate will be amended free of charge when the animal is between 18 and 24 months.

For the current fee structure, please contact the Registry Manager, Heather Duxbury, (b.h.llamas@clear.net.nz), or refer to page 2 of Registry Application form. (Link to download Application form at the top of this page)

a)	The Registry sub-committee in consultation with the LAA committee sets any fee payable for a registry process.
b)	Any fee set for a registry process must be paid to the Registry before the registry will be updated.

9. REGISTRY DATA & COPYRIGHT
The LAA holds copyright over all data pertaining to the LAA Australasian Lama Registry, including these guidelines and the registry contents.

All data remains the property of the Llama Association of Australasia Inc. and cannot be reproduced or used in any way, including in either written or electronic format, without the express permission of the LAA Registry Committee and the LAA (management) committee. The data will be made available on request as listed in Section 1.2.