Guinea pig breeds with photos and names

Guinea pigs are domesticated rodents belonging to the genus Guinea pigs, family Migcinidae. The homeland of the animals is the Peruvian Highlands. The name of the species does not at all mean that the animals are relatives of pigs or belong to marine life. The Peruvian rodent is called a guinea pig because it came to Europe from an overseas country because it makes sounds that resemble grunting. Representatives of the species are also called kewi or cavey. Some of the best pets for children around the world, guinea pig breeds are amazingly diverse.

Types of guinea pigs by coat length and color

Today, breeders continue to develop more and more new breeds of pigs. It’s easy to get confused in such a variety of animals. To facilitate classification, all breeds are grouped into several types based on coat length.

1. Short-haired. This group includes the breeds Self, Rex, Teddy, Crested and others.
2. Long-haired. Peruvian, coronet, merino, alpaca and others.
3. Rosettes. Abyssinian.
4. Hairless. Baldwin, skinny.
5. Rare. Kui, Curlie, Ridgeback and others.

Pigs are divided into varieties not only by length, but also by the structure and color of their coat. The following types of rocks are distinguished:

• satin - with shiny fur of rich color;
• agouti - a color similar to that of wild rodents;
• buff – buffalo color;
• Himalayan - with dark ears, paws and muzzle, but a light body, that is, a color like a Siamese cat;
• tan – coat with tan;
• Dalmatian - small dark spots on a light base.

The above varieties of coat color can be observed in representatives of different breeds.

Each breed of guinea pig is beautiful and interesting in its own way. We invite you to get acquainted with the names, descriptions and photos of the most original and popular breeds of rodents.

Selfies

Selfies are one of the ancient representatives of the pig family. They were developed in Great Britain in the 19th century. A distinctive feature of Selfies is their uniform (solid) coat color (white, black, brown, beige, lilac, etc.). The eyes are often dark, but can also be red. The photo shows a guinea pig of the English Self breed.

One interesting feature of this breed has been noticed: females living together in the same cage or enclosure take care of the offspring through joint efforts; we can say that these are the only family rodents of their kind.

Shorthaired Kevi breeds

The short-haired pig does not require special care, so it is suitable for inexperienced breeders. Animals come with fluffy and soft, smooth and shiny, hard and disheveled fur coats, even with tufts. Which Cavie breeds are classified as shorthair?

1. English. Also called American. One of the most common. Animals have smooth fur that lies neatly away from the head to the back. The color of the representatives of the breed can be very different, but most often the fur coat is monochromatic. A distinctive feature of his appearance is his rather large nose.

2. Rex. Representatives of the breed are cute, have large eyes and a short, but thick and dense coat. The structure of the coat is similar to that of a rabbit, and it can be any color. The most common animals are the wild agouti color. The breed got its unusual name because of its wild color. Usually rodents are small, but there are individuals that reach large sizes.

3. Abyssinian. The oldest breed, but it has nothing to do with Ethiopia, that is, the former Abyssinia. Where it came from is still unknown. The breed is considered smooth-haired, but its representatives have hair that does not lie to one side, but is collected in tufts. The animal's coat usually has eight or more tufts, symmetrically located on both sides of the body.

4. Crested. A smooth-haired breed, the representatives of which have an interesting appearance feature - a rosette on the top of the head. This rosette is formed by radially lying hairs and most often looks like a white spot. Crested is divided into two varieties: American and English. The coat can be any: white, black, Himalayan, spotted.

5. Teddy. The breed, characterized by its coarse and dense coat, is also called Dutch. The animals, which look like fat bear cubs, have very different colors: plain or spotted, black or white. It is often possible to meet even an albino. A distinctive feature of appearance is a very convex bridge of the nose.

6. Ridgeback. The animals have short and smooth fur. A funny feature of its appearance is a comb of longer hairs that stretches along the spine from the neck to the pelvis. The color can be any. Albinos are also found, but rarely.

7. Self. A short-haired breed characterized by a uniform, evenly lying coat. The wool is any color: black, white, red, chocolate, etc.

8. Satin. Representatives of the breed are very beautiful, have smooth, thin, shiny, flowing fur. The surface of the coat resembles silk fabric. The length of the hairs should be no more than 3 cm. The color is predominantly one-color or two-color; there are individuals with agouti hair.

Character

Rosette breed pigs have a calm and friendly character. They are affectionate, cheerful, and easy to tame. If the owner treats the pet with all kindness and attentiveness, then the animal gains confidence in him. He not only does not bite his fingers, but even licks them as a sign of trust. He loves to sit in your arms and rumbles when you pet him. When the owner approaches the cage, the pet squeaks cheerfully as a greeting. Pigs do not like sudden sounds and sudden movements. This may cause them to panic. Although the animals are very shy, they are quite capable of fending for themselves.

Long-haired Kevi breeds

The long-haired pig is very beautiful, but requires careful care. Her luxurious fur can become tangled and tangled. Therefore, such rodents are recommended for experienced breeders.

1. Peruvian. One of the oldest long-haired breeds. The photo shows that the animals have an original appearance: their silky and flowing fur, reaching 30 cm in length, evenly falls from the ridge to the sides of the body. The color can be solid or spotted. Albinos are often found.
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2. Sheltie. This breed is very similar to the Peruvian. The pig is also beautiful and hairy, but its fur not only falls to the sides, but also forms a mane along the spine. The structure of the animals' fur is soft and silky. The color, like that of Peruvian rodents, is solid or spotted. You can meet an albino.

3. Texel. Representatives of this breed are not only long-haired, but also curly. The curls lie on the back so neatly and evenly that it seems as if a hairdresser has worked on the pig’s coat. The animals have a compact build and a rounded muzzle. Any color.

4. Coronet. This breed is similar to the Sheltie. But its representatives have an interesting appearance feature - a crest on the top of the head, reminiscent of a crown. The animals are fluffy, their fur is soft and pleasant to the touch. The hairs flowing along the sides of the body can reach a length of 15 cm. Any color.

5. Alpaca. Representatives of the breed have shaggy and curly fur. The hairs on the head grow towards the muzzle. The coat is hard, especially on the head. The pig has two rosettes in the sacral region, and a bang forms from the rosette on the top of the head. The color is predominantly monochromatic: black, red, gold. Spotted individuals are rare.

6. Merino. This breed is also called royal. This pretentious name is due to the unusual structure of the coat. The breed was obtained by crossing Rex and Coronet. The animals have a thick, curly, voluminous coat, similar to that of a sheep. Some breeders even cut their pets' hair in the summer so that they do not suffer from the heat. On the top of the head, like coronets, there is a crest. Any coat color: gray, white, chocolate, spotted.

Reviews

Many owners consider Abyssinians to be excellent family pets. Their reviews are filled with positive and pleasant experiences and feelings.

The Glinsky family has a 5-year-old child. The pig quickly got used to all the residents of the house. She loves to be carried and stroked. Unpretentious in food. Gets along with hamsters. If we are preparing food for ourselves and she hears the smell of fresh vegetables, makes such sounds, asks so touchingly that it is impossible not to share. We think we made an excellent choice.

Snezhana, 45 years old. Their big advantage is that they are odorless. The appearance of rosette pigs is especially delightful. They behave quietly. Cleaning can only be done in the corner where she has a toilet, the bedding can be changed, and generally once every 12 days. They don't bite. They ask for food in such a funny and unique way that they always lift your spirits.

Sofia, 32 years old. I spent a long time choosing a pet for my child. I wanted it to have a calm character, be easy to tame, not chew furniture, and be easy and unpretentious to care for. I read information on the Internet about rosette pigs. After the purchase I never regretted the purchase. My son loves to carry her in his arms. She never bit him. Loves to eat cucumbers. He hears the smell and begins to whistle joyfully, begging for his treat.

Andrey, 29 years old. I read about the kindness and cheerful disposition of animals of this breed and acquired it. But mine turned out to be different. He does whistle loudly and demandingly, but only when he wants to eat. If you want to pet him, he doesn't always like it. He may chatter his teeth and snort in displeasure. But if he sees that he is loved, he will show devotion and love to you.

Elena, 35 years old. I looked at them for a long time in the pet store. But still I decided. For several days the animal was very shy, afraid of me, but quickly got used to it. The animals are rodents, but they love juicy greens, vegetables and fruits. I brought him dandelion leaves and treated him to pieces of apple. How unusually he whistles, it looks like the trills of a nightingale. What rodents can do this? Almost everyone is silent. And here are the sounds. How can you not love such an animal? A completely non-aggressive, such a sweet and cheerful miracle now lives with me.

Hairless breeds of pigs

Such breeds appeared as a result of mutation, but have gained popularity among breeders. Naked animals are unpretentious, do not require careful care, but are quite voracious due to their intense metabolism. What breeds of hairless pigs are there?

1. Skinny. Rodents have a funny appearance: the body is naked, and there is soft fluff on the face and paws.

2. Baldwin. The animals are completely hairless. There are not even hair follicles on the skin. Also, representatives of the breed have a specific body shape.
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Rare breeds of pigs

There are original breeds of guinea pigs that have not yet become widespread.

1. Lunkaria. Rodents with unusual fur. The body of the animals is covered with hard, tight, long, curly strands. On the head, the hair grows towards the muzzle. There are two rosettes in the sacral area and one on the crown of the head. Any color.

2. Curley. The breed is similar to the Lunkaria, but has shorter and shaggier hair.

3. Swiss Teddy. The breed is almost similar to the classic Teddy, but has longer hair. The hairs bristle, making the animals resemble a fluff ball.

4. Mini-yak. An amazing breed created in Australia by crossing Abyssinian and Peruvian pigs. The rodents received their unusual name because their fur coat is similar in structure to that of a yak. In different countries the breed is called differently: in Romania - Butterfly, in Germany - Angora, in Russia - Russian Angora, in Australia - Sheba Mini-yak. The Angora breed is distinguished by thick, long, voluminous, dense hair. There is a funny cowlick on the head. The hairs reach the floor in length and do not grow further.

5. Kui. The largest breed. In South America it is bred for food. There are giant individuals reaching a length of 55 cm and weighing about 4 kg.

Care and maintenance

The Abyssinian pig is the best choice for keeping in the house. To prevent your pet from getting sick, you need to properly care for it. If the owner is attentive and caring, then the animal will always be clean, well-fed and healthy.

Arrangement of the cage

The size of the cage should not be small so that the pig can move freely. The length of the front and back walls is at least 1 m. It is better to add various devices to the house:

• Salt and mineral stones necessary for improving digestion and regular grinding of the guinea pig's teeth;
• a hay box for fresh hay, attached to a certain side of the cage;
• drinking bowl and feeder made of non-toxic materials;
• running wheel, climbing ladder;
• a special house for storing food supplies and resting your pet.

The bottom of the cage is covered with wood pellets or sawdust as bedding. For the toilet, use the corner opposite the feeding area. The feeder and drinking bowl are washed every day. The entire cage is completely cleaned once a week.

Nutrition composition

In summer, it is advisable to use fresh herbs in the menu. In winter, a balanced complex feed is given. It is also necessary to diversify the pig's menu with various vegetables and fruits. To compensate for the lack of ascorbic acid in the body, feed with parsley and sweet pepper.

Hair and ear care

The coat of rosette breed pigs requires careful and regular care. To remove dirt and dead hair, wipe the skin with a damp cloth. The fur is combed out with a special soft brush. Combs made of metal and hard plastic cannot be used, as they can scratch the delicate skin of the animal.

You should also be careful about your ear hygiene. To do this, gently wipe them with a clean cotton pad soaked in an antibacterial agent. When crusts form, 1-2 drops of a special solution are instilled into the ears and removed using a cotton swab.

Tooth and nail care

Walking outside the cage brings great joy to rosette pigs. At this time, the animals taste everything that comes their way. Rodents' teeth grow throughout their lives. Uniform grinding of the incisors occurs due to the constant gnawing of tree branches. If pets do not have this opportunity, then long teeth will hurt their cheeks. You will have to contact a veterinary clinic for help. While walking around the apartment, the animal may begin to chew on electrical wires. Therefore, it is necessary to raise them above the floor to a certain height so that the rodent cannot reach them.

An animal's claws require no less attention. Under natural conditions, their wear occurs while running and searching for food. In the limited space of a cell, such an opportunity is difficult to provide. The claws are not worn down enough and cause anxiety to the pig. To avoid this, you need to trim them with special scissors.

Varieties of coat color

Cavies have a wide variety of coat colors and unusual colors.

1. Agouti. This color can be found in both long-haired and short-haired pigs. This is the so-called “wild” color, in which each hair is divided into three parts by color. There are several tones of agouti: chocolate, copper, cream, yellow, golden, silver.

2. Himalayan. Color reminiscent of Siamese cats. There are two tones of Himalayan color in rodents: with black and brown spots on the face, ears, and paws.

3. Dalmatian. The main color of the fur coat is white, but it is complemented by dark spots that are no larger than peas in size. Spots dot the entire coat, on the back and sides they are larger and more abundant, on the abdomen they are smaller and less common.

4. Buff. Buffalo color. The color of the coat is specific, rich brownish-yellow. This color can be monochromatic or combined with spots.

5. Dutch. Two-color, black and white or brown and white color, characteristic only of smooth-haired pigs. The head and back are dark, and the legs and middle of the body are light.

6. Tortoiseshell. An original color in which the coat is tricolor, consisting of large, clearly defined white, red and black spots. Breeders jokingly call pigs with such a cute coat “cakes.” The tortoiseshell color is characteristic exclusively of smooth-haired rodents.

7. Roan. A beautiful color in which white hairs are evenly interspersed into the main color of the coat. With a main coat of black color, the color is called blue, and with a main color of red, it is called strawberry.
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8. Tan. In animals of this color, the hair around the eyes and on the abdomen is different in color from the hair on the rest of the body.

9. Brindle. This color means that the pig's coat consists of only two colors - black and red. Black and red spots and stripes should be evenly distributed throughout the coat.

10. Tan and Fox. New colors. With the tan color, there is black tan around the eyes, ears, muzzle, chest and belly of the animal; with the fox color, there is white tan in the same places.

As can be seen from the photos and descriptions, guinea pigs are cute and cute creatures, surprising with the variety of colors and shapes of their fur coats. To acquire a healthy and purebred friend, the purchase must be made in the nursery, and not from hand. Only purebred individuals are sold in nurseries.

Texels

Texel is one of the most beautiful breeds, known since the mid-80s of the last century. Texels are distinguished by long, thick fur that breaks up into clearly defined curls, a long train and fluffy sideburns. The length of the coat is 12-18 cm. The rounded muzzle is decorated with large expressive eyes. Texels are calm, friendly and sociable.

Looking at the photo of a Texel guinea pig, it seems that caring for such luxurious fur requires special effort. In reality, they do not require daily brushing, and it does not take much time to select hay and sawdust from their fur. Animals that do not take part in exhibitions usually have their fur shortened.

Merino

The curly coat grows in the same way as the Texel, only there is a rosette on the head.

Agouti

Agoutis are the ancestors of all modern breeds. Each animal's hair has different shades at the base and at the end.

Roans

The head, paws, ears are painted in the main color without any admixture of another shade, only on the body there is a so-called salt and pepper mixture, when hairs of one color are mixed with hairs of another color.

Teddy

Teddies are similar to Rex cats, but their fur is slightly shorter and softer. Thick, dense and elastic, straight (or slightly wavy), the hair stands on end all over the pig's body, and feels like plush. Pictured is a Gold and White American Teddy

Rex

The main difference between Rex guinea pigs is their hard, dense, slightly curly fur, about 1.7 cm long. The hairs stand on end, which creates a plush effect. Color options can be any.

Ridgeback

It is a smooth-haired pig, but there is a difference - there is a rosette on the rump, and on the back the hair is collected into a kind of comb of standing vertical hair.

Cresteds

Smooth-haired pigs with a rosette on the crown. There are English and American Cresteds. In American cats, the color of the rosette should contrast with the color of the main color; in English cats, it should be identical to it.

Satin guinea pigs

A distinctive feature of the satin pig group is its surprisingly soft, silky coat with a glossy effect. The wool shines and shimmers due to the special hollow structure of the hairs. The Satin coat type is found in all short-haired and long-haired breeds. The rarest animals are golden, lilac and buffalo in color.