What is the best breed of guinea pig?
The top guinea pig breeds are as follows:
- American. The American is the most common breed of guinea pig. ...
- Peruvian. Known for its long hair, the Peruvian is perhaps the most exotic breed of guinea pigs. ...
- Abyssinian. This is a rather old breed, the Abyssinian guinea pig is known for its long hair with swirls, giving it a very cute and unique look.
What type of guinea pig is the friendliest?
What Breed of Guinea Pig is the Friendliest?
- Abyssinian (10)
- Teddies (9.6)
- American (9)
- Crested (8.5)
- Peruvians (8)
- Silkies (7)
- Texels (6.5) Now you may ask me how a mere number can help you make an informed decision. ...
What type of guinea pig breed is the largest breed?
The Rex, a purebred guinea pig breed from England, is the largest breed in the species. They can grow up to a foot and a half long, to which they grow full-size by the time they are two years old. Rex guinea pigs require little maintenance, and they are one of the most affectionate breeds.
Are guinea pigs real pigs?
The guinea pig is not a pig at all, and it did not come from Guinea. Instead, guinea pigs are rodents. Their scientific name, Cavia porcellus, means "little pig" in Latin. Based upon their scientific name, they're also sometimes known as cavies.
What is a texel pig?
Highlights: Friendly, Elegant, Graceful. The Texel Guinea Pig is truly a remarkable breed that’s sought-after by some of the biggest enthusiasts and show breeders. Texels feature curly soft hair not just apparent on their backs, but throughout the whole body – including the belly.
How many guinea pigs does Josh have?
Josh has been raising guinea pigs for over a decade. He's had two Americans, two Abyssinians, and one Silkie Guinea Pig. He spends hours on Instagram browsing guinea pigs, wombats, hedgehogs, and Dungeons & Dragons.
What is a silkie guinea pig?
Highlights: Charming, Gentle, Calm. For reference, the Silkie is often referred to as the Sheltie Guinea Pig. At first glance, the Silkie is quite similar to the Peruvian in the sense that it has long, smooth hair. However, there is a small difference in physical appearance.
How long do rex guinea pigs live?
Rex Guinea Pigs comes in a variety of coat colors, including: brown, white or agouti. Depending on the breed and environment, a Rex can live up to 6 years.
What is the most common breed of guinea pig?
American Guinea Pig. Highlights: Lively, Affectionate, Easy to care for. As you can probably guess, the American Guinea Pig is the most common breed of them all. They’re the epitome of these animals and probably the first image that comes to mind.
Why are guinea pigs so popular?
However, the main reason why they’re popular is because they’re so easy to take care of. Not all guinea pigs have short straight hair like the American. And because of this particular physical characteristic, grooming isn’t nearly as time consuming compared with long-haired breeds.
Where do the Himalayan guinea pigs come from?
Siamese cats are from Thailand, but the Himalayan Guinea Pig is actually from South America.
Why do guinea pigs have satin coats?
A satin coat is linked to osteodystrophy (OD), an incurable and potentially painful metabolic disease of the bones. Osteodystrophy symptoms begin showing at around 12 to 18 months of age. These symptoms include wobbly gait, problems with eating, and—with sows— parturition complications. Due to animal welfare concerns, some registries such as the Swedish and Finnish guinea pig associations, refuse to register satin cavies or even cavies with a satin parent.
What breed of dog is a cuy?
Early Andean varieties were primarily kept as agricultural stock for food, and efforts at improving cavy breeds ( cuy) bred for food continue to the modern era, with entirely separate breeds that focus on size and disease resistance. A Silkie with lilac and white colouring.
What are the most common guinea pigs?
The American (short-haired), the Abyssinian (rough-coated), the Peruvian (long-coated), and the Sheltie/Silkie (also long-coated) are the breeds most frequently seen as pets. Besides the Silkie, they also historically form the core breeds in the competitive showing of guinea pigs. In addition to their standard form, nearly all breeds come in a satin variant. Satins, due to their hollow hair shafts, possess coats of a special gloss and shine. However, there is growing evidence that the genes responsible for the satin coat can also cause severe bone problems, including osteodystrophy and Paget's disease. For this reason, some cavy breeders' associations, namely the Nordic ones, prohibit showing satin variations because of animal welfare concerns.
Why do satins have a special shine?
Satins, due to their hollow hair shafts, possess coats of a special gloss and shine. However, there is growing evidence that the genes responsible for the satin coat can also cause severe bone problems, including osteodystrophy and Paget's disease.
What is a self cavy?
A self cavy is uniformly of one colour, without any ticking or patterning. Self guinea pigs come in a variety of colours. The colours include black, chocolate, red, golden, buff, cream, white, lilac, beige, and slate.
What are the two hairless guinea pigs?
Only two varieties of hairless guinea pig exist: the Skinny and the Baldwin. They are two separate breeds with different genetic factors rendering them hairless. Hairless cavies in general need warmer accommodation and more energy-rich food to compensate for the loss of body heat.
Where do Sheba pigs come from?
They are recognized as a cavy breed in Australia. Their breed standard was developed by Wynne Eecen of Sydney, New South Wales, in the 1970s, and was published in her book Pigs Isn't Pigs.
What is a guinea pig's hair color called?
A Satin guinea pig in a particular color is likely to look a little different to a non-Satin Self of the same basic colour. Although Satins are often Selfs (known as Solid Satins) they also come in other types such as Satin Abyssinian, Satin Himalayan and Satin Tricolour.
What is a silkie guinea pig?
Silkie. Silkie Guinea Pigs are a long-haired breed that requires regular trimming and/or grooming in order to keep it neat and tidy . Silkies have long, lustrous hair that can be several inches long, and they come in a wide variety of colors.
What is the name of the pig with the spiky fur?
Abyssinian. Abyssinian guinea pigs are instantly recognizable for their peculiar fur. Their hair grows in rosettes, giving them an extraordinary, spiky and ridged outline. Abyssinian guinea pigs come in various colors and color combinations.
What is the difference between guinea pigs and silkies?
The feature that distinguishes them from Silkies is a feature that looks like a crown in the centre of their foreheads. This is an area of fur radiating out from a central point, often at odds with the rest of their fur and forming ridges.
Why are guinea pigs so controversial?
The Satin guinea pig breed is controversial due to inherent health problems. The breed has a tendency for a bone disease known as Osteodystrophy. The symptoms are a stiff, hopping walk, and loss of weight.
What is a white crested guinea pig?
'White Crested' is the name given to any guinea pig that has a small patch of white hair in between the ears resembling a small white crown. It is the GP equivalent of a hair parting, with the fur radiating out from a single point.
Why are guinea pigs called ridges?
Ridge Back guinea pigs are named for the long hairs that sprout from the backs of their head and along their spines. This arrangement gives the GPs a ridged appearance.
What is a white crested guinea pig?
White Crested Guinea Pig. The White Crested Guinea Pig is one of the most distinctively marked guinea pig breeds available to modern cavy enthusiasts. They appear almost exactly like American guinea pigs, except that they bear a tuft of hair on their heads that differs in color from the rest of the cavy’s body.
What is the best guinea pig breed?
Just be sure to consider the differences carefully, so you can pick the best guinea pig breed for your family. 1. Abyssinian Guinea Pig. Abyssinian guinea pigs are one of the easiest breeds to recognize, as their bodies are covered in circular tufts of hair called rosettes.
What is the difference between a tickled guinea pig and a brindle guin?
Ticked – Ticked guinea pigs feature hairs that bear two different colors. Usually, one of the colors is black, while the other is some variation of red. Brindle – Brindle guinea pigs feature several different coat colors, but each individual hair is only a single color.
What is the name of the pig with silky hair?
Peruvian Guinea Pig. Peruvian guinea pigs have a slightly smaller head than most other cavy breeds, but they’re probably most celebrated for their long, silky hair. They start life with short, relatively typical-length hair and two prominent rosettes near the hips.
How long is a rex guinea pig's hair?
The Rex guinea pig is a short-haired breed, whose hairs are less than ½-inch long. The entire coat is devoid of guard hairs, but the undercoat sticks straight out, making them appear particularly fuzzy. Rex guinea pigs are also noteworthy for their long, droopy ears, which make them particularly endearing to many cavy enthusiasts.
What are the colors of guinea pigs?
Self-colored guinea pigs are clad in a single color, and they lack any pattern. Self-colored guinea pigs come in several different colors, including the following: 1 Black 2 Lilac 3 Slate 4 Buff 5 Chocolate 6 Red 7 Golden 8 Cream 9 White 10 Beige
Why are guinea pigs selectively bred?
Over this time, guinea pig breeders have selectively bred their animals to produce lineages that emphasize some traits and de-emphasize others. They’ve also combined different lineages to create entirely new varieties, and they’ve worked to establish genetic mutations that produce desirable characteristics.
How Many Guinea Pig Breeds Is Out There?
The American Cavy Breeders Association recognizes 13 different breeds of guinea pigs ( source ). But, each of these breeds can be shown in varieties, based on the coat coloration.
What is the friendliest guinea pig?
While many guinea pig breeds are outgoing and like to interact with their owners, Abyssinian guinea pigs are the friendliest of the bunch. Amicable and affectionate, the Abyssinian guinea pig likes to be cuddled and is easily trained to be handled by adults and children.
How many hair tufts does an Abyssinian guinea pig have?
These hair tufts are called rosettes, and ideally, Abyssinians should have eight or 10, located in various places on the body ( source ).
What is the most common breed of guinea pig?
American guinea pigs are one of the most common short-haired guinea pig breeds. Medium-in size and easy to maintain, American guinea pigs are amazing companions to experienced and novice owners alike.
How long do guinea pigs live?
Cute and playful, the Alpaca guinea pigs have an average lifespan of five to eight years, which makes them one of the longest-lived guinea pig breeds.
How many different breeds of guinea pigs are there?
According to American Cavy Breeder Association, there are 13 different breeds of guinea pigs. But, there are several other newer guinea pig breeds that are quite rare and highly sought after. All recognized cavy breeds also come in varieties and can come in different coat colors and patterns. Chicken & Bacon Asparagus Bundles.
What is a guinea pig's coat?
Texel guinea pigs are quite unusual and sport long curly coats that come in a combination of multiple colors. While they are cuddly and sweet, these guinea pigs are high maintenance when it comes to grooming and as such not the best choice for novice owners.
How to keep guinea pigs hair from matted?
Be prepared to brush your guinea pig daily if you choose an Abyssinian, this will stop their hair from becoming matted .
Why is my guinea pig so painful?
The Satin Guinea Pig is prone to a painful condition known as Fibrous Osteodystrophy which prevents Satins from absorbing calcium correctly and their bodies begin to absorb their bones and replace it with fibrous tissue.
How long is a Peruvian guinea pig's hair?
The Peruvian Guinea Pig’s hair can reach a staggering 14 inches long, gorgeous looking but unfortunately, this also means these piggies are unable to groom themselves.
What is the ticking color of guinea pigs?
Agoutis have a smooth, sleek coat with distinctive ticking and come in 6 different colours – Cinnamon, Chocolate, Golden, Cream, Lemon and Silver. Ticking is a variation in hair colour throughout a guinea pig’s coat, which look like small flecks.
What color are albino piggies?
Born albino with white hair and red eyes, these piggies begin to develop dark “points” around their paws, eyes and nose as they age- similar to a Siamese cat.
How long does it take for a piggie to fall out?
Strangely enough, these piggies are in fact born with a fine coating of hair that begins to fall out 5 days after they are born.
When were guinea pigs first domesticated?
These guys are descendent of the Montane Guinea Pig of the Andes in South America and were first domesticated more than 7000 years ago.
What is the longest hair on a guinea pig?
The hair of Peruvian Guinea Pigs is the longest among all breeds. It often covers their eyes. At 21 inches, the Peruvian holds record for the longest hair length on a Guinea Pig. Don’t buy or adopt this breed unless your are prepared to maintain a consistent grooming routine. Guinea Pig Hub suggests that Peruvian owners trim long hairs to make them easier to manage.
What is the hair on a guinea pig's back?
Ridgeback guinea pigs have a short, smooth coat of hair. This is accented by a visible unbroken ridge or standing hair running down its back from neck to the rump.
What is the most popular guinea pig?
According to Guinea Pig Hub, the American guinea pig is the most popular breed. They are a great companion for children because they have a sweet and lively temperament. They are easier to care for and groom than long-haired Guinea Pigs.
Why are Sheba mini yaks called bad hair day guinea pigs?
Sheba Mini Yaks or Shebas are sometimes called “bad hair day” Guinea pigs because of the way their hair sticks out in different directions. Their coat is not only cute, but it can also be quite funny. They are sweet and curious, so they won’t resist you brushing.
What is a Rex guineapig called?
According to Somerzby, Rex guineapigs could be called “lap guineapigs” if they were actually known. They love being petted and held, so it is possible that they might be considered lap guineapigs.
Why do my pigs' highlights fade?
The highlights can appear to fade if they are exposed to direct sunlight or heat. The same happens when the pigs become scared, sick, or shocked.
What are the different types of Agoutis?
Agouti: Each hair has a bottom and a tip of the same color, while the middle is a contrast colour. There are three types of Agoutis: silver, gold, and cinnamon.
What is the British Cavy Council?
The British Cavy Council governs cavy clubs in the United Kingdom. Similar organizations exist in Australia (Australian National Cavy Council) and New Zealand (New Zealaland Cavy Council). Each club publishes its own Standard of Perfection and determines which breeds are eligible for showing.
Why is satin not allowed in cavy?
Showing satin variations is prohibited by some cavy breeders' associations because of animal welfare reasons.
What is the American Cavy Breeders Association?
The American Cavy Breeders Association, an adjunct to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, is the governing body in the United States and Canada.
How many points are rosettes worth?
The rosettes are worth 25 points by ARBA standard.
What is the breed of guinea pig?
The English/American Short-haired, the Abyssinian (rough-coated), the Peruvian (long-coated), and the Sheltie (also known as Silkie, long-coated) breeds are those most frequently seen as pets, and the former three are the core breeds in the history of the competitive showing of guinea pigs.
Why do hairless cavies need warmer accommodation?
Hairless cavies in general need warmer accommodation and more energy-rich food to compensate for the loss of body heat.
How many rosettes are there on a show cavy?
The hair is coarse and harsh, shaped in precise rosettes over the body. There are 10 rosettes on a show cavy; four saddle, two shoulder, two hip, and two rump rosettes. Some judging bodies, such as the ANCC, consider shoulder rosettes optional but desired in show Abyssinians.
Overview
There are many breeds of guinea pig or cavy which have been developed since its domestication circa 5000 BCE. Breeds vary widely in appearance and purpose, ranging from show breeds with long, flowing hair to laboratory breeds being used as model organisms for science. From roughly 1200 to 1532 CE (during the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire), selective breeding by indigenous South …
Note on satin variants
A satin guinea pig is not a separate breed, but it has, as its name suggests, a characteristic satin-like, almost glassy, sheen to its coat. The hair shaft on a "true satin" cavy is actually hollow. The genetic factor for having a satin coat is recessive and found in all types of coat: long, rough, curly, and short. There is a Satin version of the following breeds: Abyssinian, American, Peruvian, Silkie, and Teddy.
American
The most common guinea pig breed, the American guinea pig, is a recognized breed by the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). They are entered and shown in ARBA competitions in nineteen color classifications; Black, Cream, Red, White, Any Other Self (Beige, Chocolate, Lilac, Red-Eyed Orange), Brindle, Roan, Dilute Solid, Golden Solid, Silver Solid, Dilute Agouti, Golden Agouti, Silver Agouti, Dalmatian, Dutch, Himalayan, Tortoise Shell & White, Any Other Marked (Br…
Abyssinian
The derivation of the breed's name is unknown, but does not connote an origin in the geographical region of Abyssinia (present day Ethiopia).
The Abyssinian breed is known for their 'rosettes', which are cowlicks growing from the coat.
Between the rosettes of the Abyssinian's hair are the ridges, worth 25 points by ARBA standard. The ridges between two rosettes should ideally stand rigidly straight, without breaking down ont…
Peruvian
The Peruvian has a long smooth coat all over its body, including a prominent "forelock" resulting from a portion of its coat on the head and the neck growing forward on the body.
Silkie
A Silkie, also called a Sheltie, has long, smooth coat that flows back over the body. A Silkie must never have any rosettes or any hair growing in a direction towards its face. Its coat should not have a part. When viewed from above, a Silkie and its coat forms a teardrop shape. The coat is generally accepted to have a somewhat longer sweep of hair in the rear.
Coronet
The Coronet resembles the Silkie with its smooth coat growing backwards over its body, but it has a crest on its forehead. As with the short-coated crested breeds, this crest should be symmetrical and distinct with a small centre and no sticking hairs.
Lunkarya group
The Lunkarya, or "Lunk" for short, is a new group of related breeds developed in Sweden and mainly seen in the Nordic countries. These breeds have long, rough, curly coats that should be very dense and full. The group has three breed variations: the Lunkarya Peruvian (with a prominent forelock), the Lunkarya Sheltie (with hair flowing back over the body), and the Lunkarya Coronet (with a crest on the forehead).