Llama Shearing Styles

Llamas are exotic pets for people who have enough room to keep livestock-sized animals. These animals are affectionate, and can be dedicated pets. Llamas do require some specific care, however. Their coats grow in thick, curly wool somewhat like a sheep's. The wool can get dirty and tangled, and can also be hot. Most llama owners shave their llamas to keep them healthy and comfortable. A variety of styles have become popular for shaving llamas.

  1. Barrel Cut/Extended Barrel Cut

    • The barrel cut is a general cut, best used on small llamas that don't have a lot of hair. It is the quickest cut and removes a minimal amount of wool. The start of a barrel cut is to shear a line around the llama's body directly behind its front legs, and another line directly in front of its hind legs. The wool between these lines, on a llama's body, or "barrel," is shaved off. An extended barrel cut shaves off a greater amount of hair. The animal's front and back legs, shoulders, chest and hindquarters are left untouched.

    Show Cuts

    • The show cut starts with a barrel cut, and incorporates slightly more shaving. In this cut, another line is shaved at the top of the hind legs, where they connect to a llama's hips. The fur above this line--over the llama's hindquarters and back, and around its tail--is shaved off. This cut is particularly useful on female llamas who are about to deliver, as it keeps them cleaner during birthing.

    Lion/Poodle Cut

    • The lion and poodle cut leaves very little wool on the llama. It does not touch the wool on the llama's head or neck, but incorporates shaving the rest of the llama. This cut also means shaving the llama's front legs from the knees down. The style is meant to give the llama the look of having a lion's mane.