Introduction to Guinea Pig Breeds

If you want to have a new pet, why not get a guinea pig? They are fun and adorable creatures that make great pets for people of all ages. Like most pets, you can get many different breeds of guinea pig, but how do you know which one is the best for you?

You can get many different types of guinea pigs; They come in all kinds of shapes, colors, and patterns.

When deciding which breed of cavy you want to get, you will need to decide how much time you will have each day to care for your piglet; This is because some breeds require more care (although all guinea pigs need an owner to take care of them and all their care). needs met): long-haired breeds especially need more time for them, as they need to be thoroughly groomed every day to keep them in top condition.

One of the first things to establish when looking at guinea pig breeds is to recognize that many breeds come in many colors, but also many color patterns are not breeds; This means that the Dutch pattern is actually a color and not a pup, as you can get many different breeds of guinea pigs, all with Dutch markings. One way to distinguish a breed from a color is that the breed will often have a fur-like texture that is only associated with that breed, for example rosette hair is almost always the Abyssinian breed.

So, let’s start with the short-haired breeds:

These are short-haired pigs that will still require regular grooming, but not as much as long-haired guinea pigs.

Agouti Guinea Pigs – These pigs have a short, rough coat that is primarily a dark color mottled with another color, either darker or lighter.

American or English Shorthair Cavies – This breed is probably the most common breed of guinea pig for pets, as they don’t need much grooming and their coat color range is huge. In fact, these pigs can be almost any color.

Crested Guinea Pigs – These guinea pigs look a lot like American or English short hairs, but have a crest (usually white or the same color as the rest of the pig) on ​​their forehead. A true crested cavy will have a single-colored body and not a multi-colored body.

Dalmatian guinea pigs: These pigs have a short white coat with darker spots on the body, like a Dalmatian dog.

Rex Cavies – These little pigs look a lot like stuffed animals, but they are genetically different.

Skinny Pigs – This breed is practically hairless, so it should be kept in a slightly warmer climate than other breeds.

Teddy Guinea Pigs – Teddy bears have short fur that can be rough or furry, and can make them look like a stuffed animal, hence the name.

Now let’s take a look at the long-haired guinea pig breeds:

Abyssinian pigs: These long-haired pigs have spiky hair that sticks out in rosettes all over their bodies.

Alpaca Cavies – This is a relatively new breed and is not as well known; these little pigs have long curly hair.

Coronet Guinea Pigs – This is basically a long-haired version of the Crested pig. They have long hair with a crest on the head. Their body should be one color and the crest should be the same color or white.

Peruvian pigs: This breed is believed to possibly have the longest hair of all cavies as their hair never stops growing. A well-mannered Peruvian has a long, soft coat of hair that falls around his body like a curtain. Your hair, if left uncut, can reach a length of around 20 inches.

Silkie or Sheltie Cavies: these pigs are very similar to the Peruvians; the only difference is that Silkie does not have a long coat on the face that Peruvians do.

Texel Pigs – These guinea pigs have long curly hair, often in corkscrew-shaped curls. They require a lot of maintenance for your long hair.

Note: Never cross a Dalmatian with another Dalmatian or roan guinea pig, as a lethal gene is produced.

Many guinea pigs are actually mixtures of two or more breeds, and some owners believe that mixed breed guinea pigs are generally healthier than pedigrees, although of course it depends on the individual.

Good luck with your new guinea pig!