Oxbow’s Full Checklist of Guinea Pig Breeds

Creator: Kellie Hayden

Welcome to the lovable world of guinea pigs! You may be shocked to study the big variety of guinea pig breeds on the market. On this weblog, we’ll cowl come of the most typical guinea pig breeds, their distinctive traits, and most significantly, particular concerns concerned with caring for every breed. 

How Many Completely different Breeds of Guinea Pigs Are There? 

Whereas we’d like to supply a selected quantity as to what number of guinea pig breeds there are, the reality is that the variety of guinea pig breeds on the market will fluctuate based mostly on who you ask. For instance, on this weblog put up we contemplate Abyssinian guinea pigs and Ridgeback guinea pigs one breed, however others may contemplate them to be completely different breeds. There are additionally some breeds that most of the people acknowledges that official guinea pig breeding associations don’t acknowledge.  

In our weblog, we describe the next guinea pig breeds: 

• American Guinea Pig 
• Crested Guinea Pig 
• Teddy Guinea Pig 
• Rex Guinea Pig 
• Abyssinian Guinea Pig 
• Cuy 
• Peruvian Guinea Pig 
• Coronet Guinea Pig 
• Silkie Guinea Pig 
• Merino Guinea Pig 
• Texel Guinea Pig 
• Lunkarya Guinea Pig 
• Skinny Guinea Pig 
• Baldwin Guinea Pig 

Quick Haired Guinea Pig Breeds 

American Guinea Pig 

American guinea pigs are the traditional instance of what individuals assume once they image “guinea pig.” American Guinea Pigs have quick hair that is available in a dizzying number of colours and coloration combos.  

This is without doubt one of the commonest guinea pig breeds in North America. American Guinea Pigs are thought-about to be pleasant and sociable, however socialization needs to be based mostly on a trusting relationship to nurture their pleasant personalities. This breed’s coat is simpler to keep up than lots of the different breeds we focus on on this weblog. 

Crested Guinea Pig

Crested Guinea Pigs are like American Guinea Pigs with a twist. Whereas they’ve quick and clean coats, Crested piggies have a “cow lick” on the highest of their head! There are two kinds of guinea pigs with crests and quick hair: the primary is the American Crested Guinea Pig, or the White Crested Guinea pig; the second is the English Crested Guinea Pig, or the Self Crested Guinea Pig. An American Crested Guinea Pig will are inclined to have a white crest, whereas an English Crested piggy will are inclined to have a crest that’s the identical coloration as their physique. 

Whereas this breed is much less frequent than the American, Crested Guinea Pigs have gotten a extra well-known breed in North America. Many Crested Guinea Pigs seem to have “eyebrows” and may look fairly curmudgeonly, however in actuality, this breed will be simply as social and pleasant because the American Guinea Pig. Additionally much like the American, this breed’s quick coat requires minimal upkeep.

  Teddy Guinea Pig

Teddy Guinea Pigs have dense, tender, and quick fur that sits upright. This may give Teddies an lovable “plush toy” look. The variety of colours and coloration combos of Teddy Guinea Pigs is much like that of the American Guinea Pig. 

Some pet mother and father could discover that Teddy Guinea Pigs are barely smaller in physique measurement than different guinea pig breeds, however they’re under no circumstances quick on character. Teddies will be particularly energetic and blissful little pigs! Whereas their fur is brief, attributable to their dense fur Teddies could profit from occasional mild brushing to take away hairs which have already been shed.  

Rex Guinea Pig

Rex Guinea Pigs are comparable in look to Teddy Guinea Pigs, however whereas Teddys’ fur is dense, quick, and tender, Rexs’ fur is dense, quick, and extra wiry or coarse to the contact. Just like the Teddy, Rex fur additionally sits upright. 

Rex Guinea Pigs are sometimes playful, mild, and clever. Some pet mother and father discover that Rex piggies are particularly good at creating their very own enjoyable by taking part in with safe-to-chew enrichment merchandise. This breed may additionally profit from an occasional tender brushing attributable to their coat’s density and its propensity to entice shed fur. 

Abyssinian Guinea Pig

Abyssinian guinea pigs will be fairly a sight! Whereas their fur is straight and barely extra to the contact than American Guinea Pigs’ coats, Abyssinian coats encompass at the very least a couple of rosettes that create the “cow lick” look throughout their physique. Abyssinian rosettes are considered distinctive like a fingerprint, in that every piggie’s rosette association is as distinctive because the piggy themself.  

A sure kind of Abyssinian Guinea Pig is known as the Ridgeback (pictured above). A Ridgeback’s fur incorporates just a few rosettes. Their hair is primarily spiky on the highest of their physique alongside their again, giving them a “mohawk” model that’s sometimes known as a comb. 

Abyssinian Guinea Pig mother and father specifically know what is supposed when somebody says their piggy has “abbytude.” Abyssinians have huge personalities and are fairly energetic and curious. Some pet mother and father discover that Abyssinians common barely bigger in physique measurement than many different guinea pig breeds.  

Cuy

Cuys are the giants of the guinea pig world! “Cuy” is usually what guinea pigs are known as in some areas of South America. In some South American nations, guinea pigs have been historically used as livestock and bred to be bigger for meat manufacturing. Within the US, “Cuy” often refers to an particularly giant guinea pig. Whereas they will are available any coloration, some individuals discover that Cuy are often white or are white with brown patches (often known as the “Dutch” coloration). 

Cuy total are mild giants who get pleasure from snuggling. Individuals who have taken care of this breed have remarked how mellow they are often in comparison with different guinea pigs. Usually, this breed is simply blissful to float. Cuy have quick coats like American Guinea Pigs, that means that whereas there may be extra “guinea pig” to them, their fur is usually thought-about low upkeep.  

Lengthy Haired Guinea Pig Breeds

Peruvian Guinea Pig

Peruvian guinea pigs definitely make an announcement! They’ve silky, lengthy, flowing locks of fur. Peruvians are inclined to have an upswept tuft of fur on their brow, making a cute hairdo. Whereas it relies on every particular person’s presence or lack of rosettes, Peruvian guinea pigs additionally are inclined to rock a middle-part down their backs.  

Peruvian guinea pigs are usually thought-about to be mild and docile. Pet mother and father inquisitive about a Peruvian nevertheless have to know that this breed can develop very lengthy fur. They want every day care and upkeep like brushing and common hair trims to maintain their spectacular coat in good situation. 

Coronet Guinea Pig

Coronet guinea pigs have lengthy, sometimes straight fur with a brow crest similar to that of the Crested guinea pig. They will are available a wide range of coloration combos, although crimson, cream, and tri-color combos are frequent. 

Coronet guinea pigs are identified to be calm and easygoing, which might come in useful once you’re caring for their fur. Between their crest and their luscious locks they’ve fairly a regal-looking look. Simply keep in mind, with that regal look comes a variety of every day grooming upkeep! 

Silkie Guinea Pig

The Silke guinea pig, or Sheltie guinea pig, has lengthy, modern locks of fur that circulation straight again from their head. Usually, they don’t have rosettes or any wild hairdos compared to Peruvians or Coronets.  

Silkies are sometimes thought-about a candy and affectionate guinea pig breed. Whereas their clean fur is enjoyable to pet and is kind of trendy, it comes with fairly a little bit of every day upkeep to restrict staining, matting, or particles assortment.  

Merino Guinea Pig

The Merino guinea pig (or alpaca guinea pig) usually has longer hair. This breed’s hair types waves that sit tightly towards the physique. Their distinctive curls are extremely harking back to their identify sakes, merino wool or alpacas. Merinos could have a rosette on their head that appears much like the Crested guinea pigs’ trademark look. They arrive in a large away of coat colours. 

Behaviorally, merino guinea pigs are mentioned to be shy and mild animals. Whereas their fur may look like decrease upkeep than a few of their longer-furred cousins, you’ll nonetheless have to brush bits of hay out of those curly locks regularly. 

Texel Guinea Pig

Texel guinea pigs even have curly hair, however it’s longer in size than a Merino’s. Consider the curls of a Merino, paired with the hair size and centrally positioned hair a part of a Peruvian!

This breed of guinea pig is thought to be playful and clever. Whereas their curly coat is kind of a sight, it may well rapidly develop into unpleasant with out sufficient, every day care. Further care needs to be taken with this breed attributable to their dense coats’ propensity to select up and entice particles.

Lunkarya Guinea Pig

Discuss a wild hair day! Lunkarya guinea pigs’ manes can’t be tamed. Along with lengthy, dense locks of curly hair, the fur of a Lunkarya appears to go each which means. Their coat tends to have a tough texture. 

Lukarya guinea pigs are thought-about lively and social. You’ll definitely be having a variety of social time along with your guinea pig in case you get a Lukarya, too—their charming manes would require extra intensive care than nearly all of the opposite breeds listed right here to make sure mats don’t kind attributable to tangles or particles. 

Hairless Guinea Pig Breeds

Skinny Guinea Pig

Typically affectionately known as a “mini hippo,” skinny guinea pigs have just lately gained reputation attributable to social media. Skinny pigs are virtually fully hairless, however can have some quick, wiry hairs on their face and toes. Some skinny pigs which have extra fur than a typical Skinny are typically known as “werewolves.” As a result of skinny pigs are largely hairless, their colours are sometimes restricted to black, brown, and pink. 

Pet mother and father who’ve cared for skinny pigs comment that they’re a pleasant and affectionate breed, however they sometimes require extra upkeep than a short-haired breed. As a result of skinny pigs wouldn’t have fur defend their pores and skin, they are often extra susceptible to points with temperature regulation and dry pores and skin. A lot of cautious concerns needs to be made a few skinny pig’s habitat and environment. They’re particularly prone to drafts, chilly temperatures, and low humidity.  

Earlier than you seize a tiny sweater and hand lotion to place in your guinea pig, nevertheless, work along with your veterinarian to seek out pet-safe moisturizer choices, along with establishing a daily skincare routine. Whereas clothes is definitely cute, it needs to be protected and simple to place in your guinea pig so that you don’t threat straining their legs or injuring them in another means. Your exotics veterinarian may need some concepts for buying or making protected sweater choices. Skinnies needs to be monitored intently whereas sporting clothes, as some pigs get pleasure from chewing on cloth and should ingest their clothes if left to their very own units. Some guinea pigs simply don’t like sporting garments—in case your pet is exhibiting indicators of discomfort or misery, take away the sweater and discontinue clothes use. 

Putting a pet-safe heating pad in a single nook of your skinny pig’s habitat could also be an possibility to assist hold them heat, however there needs to be ample area within the habitat to your pet to step on and off the heating pad as they see match to keep away from overheating.  

Baldwin Guinea Pig 

Baldwin guinea pigs, compared to skinny guinea pigs, are virtually fully hairless! They include few to no hairs on their nostril, except for their whiskers. Baldwins are attention-grabbing in that this breed is born with fur, however over time they lose their fur to develop into hairless.  

Baldwin guinea pigs are mentioned to be energetic and inquisitive little guys. Much like skinny guinea pigs, nice care must be taken to handle temperature fluctuations and pores and skin circumstances, particularly as these piggies lose their fur whereas they age.  

Which Guinea Pig Breed is Proper for Me? 

The guinea pig breed that’s best for you could be a advanced query. To begin although, contemplate how a lot time you wish to spend on pores and skin and coat upkeep. If you happen to can decide to every day pet grooming, lengthy haired guinea pigs (or hairless guinea pigs!) may be an possibility for you. If nevertheless you want your new good friend to have fewer grooming necessities, a short-haired breed shall be a greater possibility. Regardless, all breeds of guinea pigs want devoted love and a focus from their pet mum or dad. 

As of this weblog’s writing, many shelters and specialised guinea pig rescues are stuffed and have give up waitlists that include a whole lot of guinea pigs ready to be rehomed. Please contemplate studying about what rescues are in your space and contemplate adopting a guinea pig. Rescues are a priceless useful resource to communities and supply much-needed providers in housing, boarding, grooming, well being checks, and training.