Lots of new llama owners acquire them because they want to pack, but can just any llama make a good packer?
The important word in this question is “good”. Most llamas will go for a walk but not all will carry a heavy pack on a mountain trail. Not all llamas are physically or psychologically able to do the job. I will get into some specifics in another question about both of these factors. Trying to pick out an individual llama as a packer presents different questions depending on the age of the animal. With a weanling , size and ultimate conformation cannot be known for sure. More importantly personality of such a young animal is not completely formed. Although packing can be done by most personality types I have found that the more assertive crias will make the better packers. It is very important to look at the mother and father. The chances are better of getting a good packer if the dam, stud, or both have been used as working animals. The parents ancestry is also important as several lines are well known for producing packers. When your prospective packer is older or an adult it is much
