kid's activities: If you want a llama to involve your kids (4H, shows, pack trials, Public relations):  Get an adult llama with a mellow personality who is already trained in the basics.  Then the animal can learn advanced things in the company of his owner while they are bonding.  Training is worth every penny when the animal is going to be part of your parenting plan.  A child should not be expected to do halter training; llamas have very definite 'hard-wiring' which requires understanding, persistence and skill in order to do the job well. In addition, they learn very fast and remember forever and are hard to re-train when mistakes are made; a trained llama, by the same token, is well-set and hard to ruin.

pack llama:  If your interest is packing, you should purchase with an eye to the individual's suitability as a trail companion and burden bearer.  An occasional packer who doesn't plan to go more than a couple times a year and no more than six miles a day would do well with a retired professional animal---they are the best, and have many pleasant years left at a slower pace.  If you are a hard, fast hiker who goes often or has plans to do the Pacific Crest Trail end-to-end, get llamas with a lean, tall build.  One experienced packer can help train a younger llama if it has been well-started. Being out frequently will complete his education and bond the two of you.

breeding investment If you want babies, get a female that is of breeding quality.   The least expensive llamas are not a good choice unless they are older does with a good production record.  You will also want one with papers so that the parentage is known.  If the doe has not yet produced, a fertility guarantee is worth a little extra.  A full-grown female should have a history of production which can help you decide if she has the breeding qualities you desire.  You can get a breeding pair or you can hire stud service, but avoid breeding with an inferior-quality male as it will severely limit the value of the offspring.

llamower/brush removal:  If your primary purpose in getting an animal is to eat down brush, clear firebreaks, and look decorative, get a 'llamower'.  These animals are at the bottom of the price scale. As a rule, 'llamower' prospects fall into this category because they are not suited to other uses.  The best are amiable oldsters being put out to pasture, but they can also be unhandled and/or have negative associations about people.  Such llamas might take more time to train than the results are worth.  They will usually still come if you have goodies and they are very hungry.  As part of a pair, they may have an 'untraining' effect on their partner.

sheep guard: If you need a sheep guard, special care must be put into the selection of a suitable llama.  This type must have the right personality to be successful.  Natural 'watch llamas' within the herd should be picked, those that face danger instead of running from it.  A knowledgeable breeder will be able to select one with an aptitude for this job if he knows his herd well.  These 'guard llamas' with a naturally wary temperament will often be inexpensive, since they tend to require the most effort to train and make the least satisfactory companion animals.