FOR many people, their first encounter with alpacas is at a show of some sort. This may be a local affair where the resident alpaca owner has brought along a few animals or a large agricultural show where there are competitive alpaca classes. Others may have noticed "funny-looking sheep" in a field as they drive along. However the meeting occurs, it is difficult not to be enchanted by these attractive animals and to fall in love with them.

For some, this enchantment grows into the desire to own alpacas. But what do you need to know before you take this step?

As with all livestock, the more you know before you start the better. Spending money and bringing animals into a situation were you don't know what to do really isn't good for either party.

One of the best ways to begin is to read a basic introductory book about alpacas. The book about alpacas is "The Complete Alpaca Book" by Eric Hoffman and other contributors (Bonny Doon Press, California, 2nd revised edition, 2006. ISBN: 978-0-9721242-1-8, £89 + p&p from www. alpaca-uk.co.uk). This will certainly tell you all that you need to know but in great detail. For a gentler introduction, you could try "Llamas and Alpacas" by Gina Bromage (Crowood Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-1861268846, £19.95), "Caring for Alpacas and Llamas" by Clare Hoffman and Ingrid Asnus (Rocky Mountain Llama Association, 2nd edition, 2000. ISBN: 978-0962276828, £20.90) or "Natural Goat and Alpaca Care" by Pat Coleby (CSIRO Publishing, 2nd revised edition, 2000. ISBN: 978-0643065253, £22.50).

The next step is to talk to alpaca breeders and to meet the animals themselves. Most breeders will be more than happy to "talk alpaca" and it is helpful to take your time and discuss alpacas with as many owners as possible. If you don't know where your nearest alpaca owner lives, check on the British Alpaca Society website (www.bas-uk.com) where you can search the membership database by clicking on "Find a Member". After you click through to the separate site, you can enter your town and/or county to identify breeders in your area.

A number of the larger breeders offer introductory courses. If there is one near you, you will find it very beneficial to attend. Not only will you be able to get some "hands-on" experience but you will be given lots of information and advice. By talking to as many different breeders as possible, you will get a wide picture of what you need based on many varying experiences.

One of the first things to consider is whether you have suitable facilities for your proposed herd. You will have to decide whether you just want a couple of geldings as pets or whether you want to be a serious alpaca breeder. Alpacas are naturally herd animals and must not be kept singly. The absolute minimum is two but three is recommended. They are generally hardy but should be checked regularly, preferably twice a day. By spending time with your animals, you will get to know them and will be able to detect any emerging problems. Like most animals, alpacas give little indication that they are unwell and you will need to try to spot any unusual behaviour or symptoms of ill heath so that you can provide assistance early on, contacting the vet if necessary.

Whether you want to keep two or twenty, you must have sufficient land. Alpacas can be kept at five or six to the acre, providing there is sufficient grazing available. If you can, grazing should be on a rotation basis. You will find your alpacas tend to choose specific soiling areas which makes it relatively easy to keep paddocks clean. You should provide hay or haylage and there must be a constant supply of fresh, clean drinking water. Small amounts of supplemental concentrate feed should be given, especially to pregnant and lactating females and during winter.

Alpacas do not generally challenge fences so four-foot sheep netting, a good hedge or a post-and-rail fence is generally sufficient to contain them, but you must remove any barbed wire. With soft pads on their feet, alpacas do not poach the ground and it is rare for them to get foot rot. However, if the weather is wet for long periods, you need to provide your animals with an area of drier ground.

Coming from the high altiplano in Chile, Peru and Bolivia, alpacas are hardy and can live outdoors all year round. However, you should provide some form of shelter in the form of hedges, trees or a purpose-built field shelter.

Adult alpacas weigh 60-80 kg and can live for 15 to 25 years. Gestation is around 11 months, leading to a single baby or cria. Although there are reports of twins being born and surviving, this is very unusual. Cria are usually born during the day. On the altiplano, if the baby has not dried off and got moving before the sun goes down and the temperature falls, it may not survive. Generally, cria are weaned at six months old and are wormed at the same time.

Routine husbandry includes six-monthly vaccinations against clostridial diseases and worming of the entire herd. During winter, A, D and E vitamins can be given, especially to cria to help bone growth and development. Toenails will also need to be trimmed three or four times a year. Teeth should be checked twice a year and if there are any abnormalities, expert advice should be sought. From the age of 18 months, males should be checked for the presence of fighting teeth and these should be removed by a professional.

Alpacas come in two types. The huacaya is the cuddle, "teddy bear" type with a fine dense crimped fleece. Suri alpacas have a silky straight fleece, which hangs down in long ringlets.

Outside South America, alpacas are kept for their fine, warm, light, lustrous, luxury fibre. This is made up into a range of products including yarn, baby clothes, jumpers, throws, suits, coats, felted bags and duvets. The fibre is hypoallergenic making it suitable for anyone allergic to the lanolin in sheep's wool. Fine alpaca fibre is comparable to cashmere.

Huacaya alpacas are shorn every year with suris being shorn every other year. The fleece weight averages 3-5 kg. One of the delights of alpaca fibre is the wide range of natural fleece colours from white, through fawn and brown, to black. These natural colours can be combined to make extremely subtle design which white fibre can be dyed to make equally attractive items. Whether you have two animals or a larger herd, you will get fibre on a regular basis and it pays to think about what you are going to do with it before it starts piling up in the attic.

Having decided to go ahead with your purchase, the next step is to find suitable animals. You are strongly recommended to buy only animals that are on the BAS pedigree register. The only eligible animals are UK-born offspring of registered parents. Any imported animals must pass screening criteria before they can be registered to ensure they meet minimum standards. You can join the society before you buy animals and this gives you access to the Herd Book via the website. If you do not have Internet access, information regarding particular animals can be obtained from the society office (info@bas-uk.com or 0845 331 2468).

As a BAS member, you will also receive the quarterly magazine, "Alpaca", which not only contain society news and useful articles, but also carries adverts from alpaca breeders.

Above all, look before you buy. A "perfect" alpaca has a short muzzle, a triangular and symmetrical head, an even jaw and bite, erect spear-shaped ears, bright eyes with no discharge, a slightly sloping, straight back, good proportions between body, legs and neck and an alert stance. Any genetic faults or injuries will be highlighted during a veterinary check, which will also show up any problems arising from nutritional or environmental factors. If you are planning to concentrate on the fibre, you should try to learn about handle and density and you can send a sample to a laboratory to be tested for fineness.

The most important thing is that you enjoy your animals. Never be afraid to ask another owner or a vet for help. There is always something new to learn about alpacas.