About Guinea Pigs
There are now more
than twenty-five different groups because over the years skilled breeders have
taken guinea pig with slight difference in colorings markings and bred them
together.
Solid color guinea pigs (same color all over) are called 'Selfs'. Each color is
recognized as a separate breed.
If a guinea pigs has two or more colors they have body markings. They are called
'marked'. 'Marked' guinea pigs have special names such as Dutch
or Agouti.
Long Haired
The best known longhaired guinea pigs are the Peruvians.
They have silky hair and it is very long - often right down to the floor. There
is a parting down the spine which the hair falls from it coverts the face too!
Short Haired
Short haired guinea pigs have short, smooth and shiny hair. They are often
called:- English, American or Bolivian. They don't need to be groomed as often
as long haired guinea pigs - but they do need regular grooming.
Rough Haired
Rough haired guinea pigs are called Abyssinians. They hair sticks out in rosette
patterns. Pure bred Abyssinians should have ten rosettes: four on the
hindquarters, four around the 'saddle' and one on each shoulder. They appear in
a range of colors as well as the 'Selfs' and 'marked' colors.
English Creasted
The circular rosette (crest) on the head of the English variety is of the same color as the body coat (which can be of a variety of colors).
American Crested
Unlike the English Crested cavy, the rosette of the American Crested is white. Again, the body can be of a variety of colors.
Tortoiseshell
Smooth coated with a black and red chequered pattern.
Abyssinian
These are a rough-coated breed with up to eight rosettes all the body.
Rex / Teddy
Short, curly coat. The Rex is sometimes confused with the American "Teddy" breed which looks almost identical but is genetically different.
Silver Agouti
The hair of an Agouti guinea pig has a speckled effect which is the result of light and dark bands of color in each individual hair. This coloring is most similar to that of the wild guinea pigs of South America.
Peruvian
A long-haired guinea pig - the hair falls over the face and around the body. Long haired pigs such as this are not recommended as domestic pets for children or any but the most dedicated fancier because of the large amount of grooming required.
Sheltie
Another long-haired breed similar to the Peruvian, but with the hair growing back from the face and around the body.
Coronet
A Coronet is basically a Sheltie but with a crest on the head.
Texel
A rexed sheltie - the long curly coat falling in ringlets around the body.
Himalayan
A smooth coated white guinea pig with a chocolate or black smut nose, feet and ears.
Dalmation
Smooth coated, white with coloured spots.
Dutch
Like the Dutch breed of rabbit, Dutch guinea pigs are of two colours with a white centre band and white smut and blaze on the face.
Baldwin
The Baldwin is a totally hairless pig. Babies may be born with a few hairs but these are lost as the pig matures.
Skinny
Skinny pigs have fuzzy, wiry, and frizzy hair on their heads, nose, and toes. Some can have more hair on their backs, and anywhere else on their bodies, and so they are sometimes called hairy hairless skinny pigs.