Types Of Guinea Pigs
Getting To Know The Various Types Of Guinea Pigs
There are so many different types of guinea pigs that exist. Other than the visual difference apparent in long-haired and short-haired breeds, a newcomer definitely needs a guide to understand the differences.
While there is a real variety in the breeds of guinea pigs, there are a few that are really common and you are most likely to come across as pets. Most of the others are bred specifically to be shown and they are not commonly available as pets.
In fact, those found as pets are those that were specially bred to be companions or those that were found less than perfect according to standards set up for breeds that can be shown.
The following are some of the most frequently seen types of pet guinea pigs:
Short Haired - The short coated cavy, commonly referred to as the American or English, has short and shiny hair which grows without a natural parting.
Visually, the short haired guinea pig is probably the closest to the early South American ancestors of the species. Short haired guinea pigs are displayed in shows by highlighting the color of their coat, which can vary from Self and Himalayan to Dalmatian.
Abyssinian -This breed of guinea pig is distinguished by its rough coat made of what is described as “cow licked rosettes of hair.” This guinea pig has no known connection to the actual region of Abyssinia.
Ideally, an Abyssinian in a show should have 10 rosettes:
One over each shoulder
Four down the back
One on each of the animal's hips
Two on the rump
It is desirable for this breed of cavies to have a harsh-textured coat.
Peruvian - The Peruvian is a type of guinea pig that has long hair growing continuously all across its body, with the hair length sometimes over 20 inches long.
The Peruvian guinea pig is the breed that started the trend of all the recent long-haired breeds. This is the most remarkable feature of this type, but also the characteristic that makes it a hard breed to take care of.
During shows, the long hair is usually wrapped up to help the guinea pig stay clean. Most long-haired guinea pigs have both a top and an under coat. The under coat is usually 6 - 7 inches in length.
Peruvians in show are required to have their hair fan out in a way that makes the front and rear of the animal appear similar.
Owners or breeders should make sure that the coat is of even length and create a central part along the spine of the guinea pig.
Silkie or Sheltie - A Silkie is a long-haired guinea pig that is different from the Peruvian in that its long hair flows back and never forward over the face of the animal.
This animal does not usually have a central part and has a tear-drop shape in an aerial view as the hair is grown longer in the back than the front.
Texel – The Texel is similar to a Silkie, but has curls.
These cavies are originally from England and were officially accepted as a breed in the U.S. in 1998.
When in show, the guinea pig should have the curls in tightly-wound corkscrew curls. These curls should cover the whole body, even the belly and there should be a visible central part.
The curls need to be groomed to bring out their beauty. It may take some time to get the animal comfortable with the ritual of grooming.
Rex – This is a short and fuzzy-haired breed among the various types of guinea pigs.
The hair tends to stand on end and if the animal is being shown, it should have uniform length short hair and no rosettes.
Teddy – A Teddy is similar to a Rex, but is genetically distinct. A Teddy has a dense and fuzzy coat, with hairs that stand up.
In keeping with its name, a Teddy guinea pig resembles a toy because of its bushy, moderate length hair.
This guinea pig is unusual in that it has long hair covering its belly unlike most other breeds which have bare bellies.
The US Teddy and the CH Teddy or Swiss Teddy are recognized as two different types of Teddies.
This is just a brief introduction to the different types of guinea pigs that are available. Whether you are seeking a companion or a show animal, you can have a lot of fun figuring out the breed that works best for you.