These Little Llamas Go To Market Woolly Beasts Will Be Over The Hump At Cda Auction

They go by names like HL Mencken - described in one brochure as “an outstanding young male worthy of your careful consideration.”

They’re good for packing and petting, while breeders buy them for procreating.

They may grow as big as horses but weigh little more than an all-pro lineman.

They’re llamas, and today they’re going to market in Coeur d’Alene.

Friday marked the kickoff of the Inland Northwest Llama Exposition and Auction, a two-day llama festival at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds complete with grooming exercises, training demonstrations and parades. The exposition concludes this afternoon with an auction.

The brainchild of local llama luminaries Chuck and Jere Riley, the event is an attempt to bring newcomers to a growth industry in which most trading is now done between existing breeders.

“We’ve been to sales everywhere, all over the West, but never here,” Chuck Riley said.

The Rileys, owners of CJ Llamas, tried to get the Inland Northwest Llama Association to start the ball rolling, but they couldn’t generate the interest. So they took it upon themselves.

“They say God watches out for fools and crazy people,” Riley said. “I figure I’m in good shape.”

The duo hopes to make the auction an annual event.

About 90 animals will be auctioned today. The Rileys hope to see several hundred buyers and on-lookers at the fairgrounds.

Their drawing card: a cadre of fuzzy, long-necked beasts that waddle like ducks, hike like goats, pack gear like mules but actually are related to camels. “They truly are exceptional animals,” said Donna McMann, a one-time electronics whiz-turned-llama breeder.

McMann, who owns “Llamas and More” in Bend, Ore., with partner Linda Augustine, considers them the perfect animal. They’re intelligent, good-natured, easy to care for and valuable.

“They even poop in convenient little piles,” she said.

They make good pets, are convenient for hikers and some owners even spin their fur into wool for clothing.

In recent years, demand for llamas was so high some owners paid $70,000 or more for their animals.

“I’ve seen ‘em sell for $190,000,” said llama owner Vern Haven said. “But that was awhile ago.”

The industry since has shifted to a buyers’ market, with llamas going for $500 to $3,000 each depending on age, gender, size and beauty.

Among llama lovers, owning an animal is as much a lifestyle as a business.

There are dozens of books. Examples include “Llama Neonatal Care;” “Llamas: Woolly, Winsome & Wonderful;” “Llamas for Love and Money.”

There are associations and mailing lists and, of course, a growing list of llama Internet sites.

Lineage is of utmost importance.

Some of the West Coast’s best bloodlines are represented at Riley’s auction. One to watch for: a descendant of the now-deceased Dr. Doolittle. “We have quite a bit of Doolittle blood here,” Riley said. “That’s quality.”

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