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As you may know, there are two types of Alpaca, the Huacaya and the Suri. Each has different fleece characteristics with the Suri being rarer than the Huacaya. It really is personal choice, there aren't really any business or investment reasons for choosing one over the other. The Suri fleece is used in different styles of garments that may be more expensive due to the rarity of the fleece.

A more important consideration is to the use of the animals and what you can afford to invest. Are you buying for fleece production, showing, both? Animals can be bought from $1,000 to over $150,000. Why the range? Let's start at the lower end and work our way up....

Fiber animals, pet males and older females....
Currently the value of animals is driven by how closely they fit the type of animals that win ribbons at shows. The characteristics of which include conformation (how well animal is proportioned, how well it walks etc.), solid bone structure, fleece quality - with good handle, crimp and density and obviously health. Age plays an important factor also - males and females can lose fiber quality as they age.

Pet males usually have conformational issues and their fleece is not the best quality although could still have value. When looking at these kinds of animals you should consider why you want them. Frequently people buy them as pets and many use them as PR animals to take to nursing homes, schools etc. You should always consider the behavior of the animal and how well it has been trained before you buy. There isn't much point in buying a pet that won't come near you or has antisocial habits like kicking or spitting!

Fiber animals are a step up the ladder. They can be both males or females although predominantly male. They too may have conformational issues but their fleece may be quite good. Again you may not do well in a halter class, but would possibly do well in a fleece show.

You can enter both pet and fiber animals in the obstacle events at many shows around the country, and be able to win awards.

Older females ...
or rather mature breeding stock. These animals quite often do not have all the characteristics that you would want in a show animal. The fleece can deteriorate in micron count, crimp and density with old age, and the animal may have conformation issues. These older animals may well have been imported before the import was halted. Assuming they are healthy, there is usually nothing wrong with these animals. The great thing about Alpacas is that you can change conformational and fleece characteristics in a generation. In other words you can select a male that compensates for the deficiencies in the female and produce a cria that is much improved. When considering these older ladies (and any female with aria on the ground) look at their offspring in person or at least photographs before making a commitment.