It has been done! The ultimate guinea-pig list! We are proud to present the following! Our ultimate list highlights the best qualities of different guinea pig breeds and highlights their uniqueness. We are fortunate to have many breeds of guinea-pigs in Australia.
There are many varieties, from short-haired to long-haired. Some breeds may also have unique personality traits.
Breeds of short Haired Guinea Pig
AMERICAN GUINEA/ AMERICAN CRESTED
(COMMONLY known TO BE SHORT-HAIRED GUINEA PIGS)
Alternative breed names: Cavidse porcellus
Origin: The American Guinea Pig was born in South America, in particular the Peruvian Andes.
Size: 8-9 inches
Life expectancy: between 4 and 7 Years
Profile of the breed:
American guinea pigs are known for their large ears and round nose. They also have a smooth coat, which is often only one colour. However, they can be found in many different colours.
They don’t require any regular grooming. They are friendly and active. American cresteds have a single rosette at the top of their heads. This is usually a white crest, but it can vary.
HIMALAYAN GUINEA PIG
Alternative breed names: N/A
Origin: South-East Asia
Size: 8-12 inches
Life expectancy: 5 to 7 Years
Profile of the breed:
The Siamese cat is the Himalayan guinea-pig. The Himalayan has a white coat with black highlights on the ears, nose, feet and feet. The pads on their toenails, feet and toes are dark. These guinea-pigs are born with white highlights. The darker highlights appear after a few weeks.
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.
This breed is recommended for people who have previously had Guinea Pigs. They can be very high maintenance and should be kept indoors.
RIDGEBACK GUINEA PIG
Ridges are an alternative name for a breed:
America is the origin
Size: 5-12 inches
Life expectancy: between 4-7 Years
Profile of the breed:
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.
Their hind feet look like they have hair growing up their legs instead of down. This can be covered with tuffs.
Baby Ridgeback guineapigs don’t always have a ridge of fur at their backs. It may take several weeks for the fur at the ridge to show. Rosettes can sometimes appear in the hair of Ridgeback guinea Pigs.
Rough coat Guinea Pig Breeds
TEDDY GUINEA PIG
NA – alternative breed names
Origin: unknown (breeding was discovered via genetic mutation).
Size: 8-12 inches
Life expectancy: between 4 and 5 years
Profile of the breed:
The coat of a Teddy guinea pig is thick, dense, rough, and even. They have hair that reaches all the way around their bodies, giving them a puffy appearance. sometimes they grow to a medium length.
This is why they appear more like a baby than a guinea-pig. straight whiskers and hair can grow longer above the ears. They are sweet and gentle, with a good nature. Teddy Guinea Pigs are playful, curious, and fun-loving pets that can be kept as pets.
REX GUINEA PIG
Alternative breed names: N/A
Origin: South America
Size: 8-17 inches
Lifespan 5-6 years
Profile of the breed:
Rex guinea pigs are one of the most rough-coated breeds. Their coat is smooth and silky because they don’t have guard hairs. Although their hair is only about 1 cm long at the longest, they have dense coats.
Rex are also known for their large ears and wide head. Their underbelly hair is dense and curly. Their whiskers are curly and crimped. Rex guinea pigs are affectionately held and loved by their owners.
ABYSSINIAN GUINEA PIG
Alternative breed names: N/A
Origin: South America
Size: 8-12 inches
Life expectancy: 5-8 years
Profile of the breed:
Abyssinian Guinea Pigs are known for their distinctive, rough coat that features eight rosettes arranged in pairs across their bodies. Their rough coat can grow up to 4 cm.
You can find them in a variety of colours, including brindle and roans as well as tortoiseshell and solid colours.
Abyssinian Guinea Pigs have a distinctive coat pattern. It grows in spirals known as rosettes. There are many stages of recognition. Abyssinian Guinea Pigs can be very attractive.
With mild training they can be affectionate. Some pigs might even grow to become lap pigs. They are very easy to care for and make a great first guinea-pig.
SHEBA GUINEA PIG
Alternate Breed Names: Sheba Miniyak
Origin: Australia
Size: 7-12 inches
Life expectancy: between 4-7 Years
Profile of the breed:
The Sheba Miniyak is a sturdy, heavy-set Guinea Pig with a rosette, tousled coat. Some refer to them affectionately as the “bad hair day” guinea pig. They look like a mix of the Peruvian and Abyssinian breeds. Their coats should be thick and dense with a natural texture.
Their heads are square and have mutton-chop whiskers. Sheba’s are curiousand have a beautiful nature. Their coat needs to be cared for well.
Long-haired Guinea Pig Breeds
SILKIE GUINEA PIG
Alternative breed names: Sheltie
Origin: UK (result from crossbreeding).
Size: 7-10 inches
Life expectancy: 5 to 7 Years
Profile of the breed:
Silkie is well-known for its soft, shiny, and long hair. It shouldn’t have rosette or grow hair that points upwards towards its face. The Silkies should have a full, silky coat. The Silkie has a teardrop-shaped face.
The Silkie is the gentlest guinea-pig breed. Silkies are a laid-back breed and can appear shy at first. They may take longer to get to know you than other guinea-pigs. because silkies have long hair, they can be very difficult to maintain.
TEXEL GUINEA PIG
Curlies are another alternative breed name
England is the origin
Size: 7-12 inches
Life expectancy: between 4 and 7 Years
Profile of the breed:
Texel Guinea Pigs are well-known for their thick, soft hair with ringlets and curls. Their bodies are compact and have a well-rounded head. In appearance, they can be compared with a Silkie but with curly hair.
The entire body of the Texel Guinea Pig Breed is covered with hair. Sometimes, there’s a natural part at the back. This breed’s face has shorter hairs. There are no longer curls below the lower jaws or the ears.
The Texel Guinea Pig’s curly and lush hair requires a lot of work to maintain. This breed is not recommended for children or adults who cannot spare the time to groom it.
CORNET GUINEA PIG
Alternative breed names: English guinea pig
England is the origin
Size: 7-12 inches
Life expectancy: 6-8 years
Profile of the breed:
Coronets are similar to Silkies because of their smooth, wavy coat that extends backwards across the entire body. The Coronet Guinea Pig, however, has a coronet or rosette in the middle of the head. This is the main difference between the two guinea-pig breeds.
Coronet Guinea Pig breeds have no part in their hair and their long, straight hairs will grow upwards over their bodies. Coronet Guinea Pig breeds do not look like White Crested forerunners.
Their crests can take any colour and may be white on any part of their bodies. Coronet Guinea Pigs can be playful and affectionate. Coronets require frequent grooming, just like other long-haired Guinea Pigs.
PERUVIAN GUINEA PIG
Alternative breed names: N/A
Origin: Paris
Size: 8-12 inches
Life expectancy: between 4-7 Years
Profile of the breed:
The Peruvian Guinea Pig breed has long, straight hair. This Peruvian guinea pig breed’s topcoat can grow to maximum 24 inches in length. The Peruvian Guinea Pig’s hair is straight down the spine.
It naturally extends to the forehead and forms a fringe. The hair extends forward and the other towards the rear. because their coat is long and requires a lot of grooming, the Peruvian Guinea Pig can be more difficult to maintain than other short-haired guinea pig breeds.
ALPACA GUINEA PIG
Other breed names: Boucle, English Peruvian and Curly Coated Coronet
Origin: From English Peruvian Guinea Pigs
Size: 6-11 inches
Life expectancy: 5-8 Years
Profile of the breed:
Many pet owners consider alpaca guinea pigs to be among the most beautiful breeds. Their long, coarse, and wavy hair is different from the main body’s colour.
Their close resemblance with the alpaca is what gave them their name. Alpaca guinea pigs wear a rosette on the foreheads.
They can be indoor or outdoor animals. Alpaca guinea pigs are more maintenance-intensive than other breeds. because of the long hair, they need to be brushed and de-tangled on a daily basis.
MERINO GUINEA PIG
Alternative breed names: Merino Peruvian, English Merino
Origin: The English Peruvian Guinea Pig was used as the source.
Size: 4-11 inches
Life expectancy: 5+ years
Profile of the breed:
Merino guinea pigs resemble Texels, but they have curly hairs that are shorter than Texels. They also have a crest-type rosette on their tops of their heads that is evenly placed between their eyes.
Their heads are small and wide. The profile should be gentle curved, but not flat. Merinos are a breed well-known for their lovely temperament.
LUNKARYA GUINEA PIG
Lunk is an alternative name for this breed
Sweden is the origin
Size: 4-12 inches
Life expectancy: 5-8 Years
Profile of the breed:
Lunkarya is a new breed that was developed in Sweden and is mostly found in the Nordic countries. There are three types of the Lunkarya Peruvian, which has a prominent forelock; the Lunkarya Sheltie, with the hair flowing back over its body; and the Lunkarya Coronet, which has a crest at the forehead. The coat is long and curly, with lots of curls. It cannot be combed and is not flat.
Breeds of hairless Guinea Pigs
SKINNY PIG
Alternative breed names: Hairless Guinea Pig
Canada is the origin
Size: 8-11 inches
Lifespan: 4+ years
Profile of the breed:
The result of crossing a hairless lab strain with guinea-pigs, the modern skinny Guinea Pig breed was born. The skinny Guinea Pigs are covered in tuff’s on their feet, legs and muzzles. However, they don’t have any hair on the rest of their bodies.
A few skinny Guinea Pig breeds have a thin layer of fluffy hair on the backs. healthy skinny Guinea Pigs have soft skin with some wrinkling around the neck and legs.
Their body is full and smooth without any ribs or spine. High maintenance is required for the skinny Guinea Pig.
If not properly cared for, skinny Pigs can easily become infected with fungal diseases and wounds. This skinny Guinea Pig is usually kept indoors and protected from heat with nesting materials like a blanket or cloth bag.
BALDWIN GUINEA PIG
Alternative breed names: Hairless Guinea Pig
California is the origin
Size: 8-11 inches
Life expectancy: 4-6 Years
Profile of the breed:
Their skin is completely bald, and they are completely unattractive. Baldwins are born with all of their hair. After just a few days, their hair begins to fall out. Over a time period of several months, it slowly disappears and leaves them completely bald.
Although they can be outside for short periods in warm weather, they do not have the protection that they need. They are unable to withstand direct sunlight so they must be shaded when outside.
Popular Guinea Pig Colour Variations
Guinea Pigs come in many sizes, shapes, and colors. A list of key terms has been compiled. These terms can be used to describe the colour of a Guinea Pig’s skin.
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.
Albino: A completely white color with pink eyes
Brindle: Light and dark tan.
Dalmation: White with darker spots
Dutch: A white body with brown or yellow markings.
Himalayan: A white body with black ears, nose, and feet.
Mixed: any combination of colors, even collared.
Roan: Intensely mixed dark hairs with white.
Self: Solid-colored coats
Tortoise shell – patched in dark and light brown colors, with distinct lines between the patches.
Tortoise shell and white: These shells are similar to the Tortoise shell but have white.
12 Guinea Pig Breeds
Most likely, you didn’t know there were so many.
Although your children might think they are ready to have a dog, you know that the majority of the walking, feeding and cleaning required by dogs would be done by you.
Smaller pets are recommended by veterinarians for families that are new to owning pets. This is because guineas pigs are more stable than smaller animals such as rabbits or hamsters. There are many guinea-pig breeds available, just like dogs.
The breed of a guinea pig can have an impact on its temperament, hair type, maintenance, and overall health. After you have decided on the best guinea-pig breed for you, you can visit your local animal shelter or search an online rescue.
Guinea pigs can be kept in a variety breeds, and are not fragile. They are also relatively easy to take care of. As long as they are properly cared for, they don’t often have any serious medical issues.
The diet includes hay, fresh vegetables and pelleted food. Hess also recommends a vitamin C supplement. They should have water available at all times and keep their cage clean. These are tasks that children can do easily. This is why guinea-pigs make an easier pet than dogs.
Are you ready to adopt a Guinea Pig? These are the most well-known guinea pig breeds. However, new breeds are constantly being developed.
1. American 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.
2. Crested Guinea Pig
According to Guinea Pig Hub, Crested, also called White Crested, guinea-pigs can often look very similar American guineas pigs. However, they have a swirl or crown of hair on their heads. They are similar in temperament to Americans, a
Leave a Reply