Whether you're just starting out or already have a few quirky-coloured alpacas in your paddock, this article is a brilliant resource for understanding what’s going on beneath the fleece.
Darcy Phillips of Rare Gem Alpacas also shares her journey, offering insights into how she’s bred nearly 90 harlequin and appaloosa alpacas over the years by focusing on both pattern and fleece quality.
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Here at Little Valley Farm, we often get asked about our colourful alpacas, especially the spotty ones. Why do some alpacas look like they’ve been dipped in paint? Can you breed for those colours? And what's the deal with harlequins and leopard spots?
Well, we came across a fantastic article by Lynn Edens and Darcy Phillips that digs into the science and strategy behind breeding for rare fleece patterns. We’ve summarised the key points below for fellow breeders (and curious fibre fans) who want to learn more about how these rare colours happen, and what it takes to breed them.
Breeding for Rare Fleece Colours
Rare fleece colours like harlequin, appaloosa, and leopard-spotted have become highly sought after in recent years. But breeding for these unique patterns isn’t simple. It’s a mix of genetics, patience, and clever planning.
The authors break down the genetics into three main types:
Single dominant gene patterns – Easier to breed for. If an alpaca has even one copy of the gene, it will usually show the pattern and pass it on.
Single recessive gene patterns – Trickier. These only show when an alpaca has two copies of the gene, and carriers aren’t obvious unless you do pedigree or production tracking.
Patterns requiring two genes – These are the most complex. Both parents need to carry specific combinations, and even then, only a small number of offspring will show the pattern consistently.
Two patterns are explored in detail:
Harlequins: These alpacas are born light (often fawn) but change colour as they age, becoming smoky, taupe, or grey. They often have unique combinations of black alleles and dilution genes, possibly linked to roan or other coat colour mutations found in other species like horses and cats.
Appaloosas - The Spotted ones: These alpacas have true dark spots that aren't the same as white-patterned appaloosas in horses. The spot distribution varies, some are “classic” (spots in the blanket) and others “leopard” (spots all over). These traits are also tied to specific gene combinations, especially the presence of black alleles.
The article also touches on the business side of rare colour breeding. Because some genes are hard to track without testing, you need good records, thoughtful breeding pairs, and a plan to balance fleece quality with colour goals.
Darcy Phillips of Rare Gem Alpacas also shares her journey, offering insights into how she’s bred nearly 90 harlequin and appaloosa alpacas over the years by focusing on both pattern and fleece quality.
Whether you're just starting out or already have a few quirky-coloured alpacas in your paddock, this article is a brilliant resource for understanding what’s going on beneath the fleece.
Read the full article here: Breeding For Rare Fleece Colors Lynn Edens and Darcy Phillips
Happy breeding from all of us (humans and alpacas) at Little Valley Farm! 🦙
