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Their coats make them look like Hollywood movie starlets and children enjoy ‘styling’ them during grooming. Silkie (or Sheltie) Guinea Pig – a long haired breed Peruvians come in a range of colours but the most popular, and more widely available choice, is the tricolour of slate, cream and white. Due to their coat they don’t thrive in a damp or humid atmosphere so keep them somewhere dry. They are very social animals and require plenty of attention as well as space to move around. For this reason, they don’t tend to make ideal pets for children as the amount of barbering required can take too much time. When they are born, their coats are relatively short and they have two ‘rosettes’ of fur on their rump.īecause of the length of coat (it can grow up to two-foot-long on top and seven inches beneath) regular grooming is essential with the Peruvian as daily life can help it accumulate plenty of debris in its fur. Peruvian Guinea Pig – a long-haired breedĪlthough South American, the breed was developed in Europe with breeders from France and England focusing on enhancing the quality and length of the coat as well as other characteristics such as the head smaller in proportion to its body, the head of this cavy gives it a sleek and elegant look. However, no grooming means that you will be responsible for bathing instead and Baldwin’s benefit from a light bathe with fragrance free shampoo or cleanser every few weeks.īaldwin’s have a slightly higher metabolic rate than other breeds of cavy so they do require more food and water.Īll that being said, these bald guinea pigs are good natured with great personalities and make great companions for children and adults. You will also need to change this more frequently again, to avoid irritation to their skin. Shavings and hay can all cause skin irritation so it is recommended that you use soft and/or allergen free material. The upside of owning a hairless guinea pig is, of course, the lack of grooming but instead you will need to be particularly selective over bedding and any material you use in their environment. The ideal conditions for them are indoors out of direct draughts and with a good size cage.
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Remember that the fur which keeps a guinea pig warm also acts as a barrier for strong sunlight so always provide shade and a snug spot for your Baldwin when he is outdoors. You should note that if you intend breeding your cavy then you should never allow two Roans to mate as they carry genes that will cause deformations in the litter.īaldwin Guinea Pig – a hairless guinea pig breedīabies are often born with a fine fur but this eventually drops out to leave a soft but rubbery textured skin.īecause they aren’t native to any particular climate and are not found in the wild, Baldwin’s (naturally) prefer more temperate conditions they do not tolerate hot and cold in the same way as their furry friends. They come in a wide range of colours including solid, Roan, tortoiseshell and brindle. They don’t require bathing but you could also use grooming time to trim their nails when necessary.Īs with all breeds, the Abyssinian likes a lot of space to explore so a good size cage is essential as well as some outdoor time to roam.
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Unfortunately, these cheeky cavies do suffer quite a bit from illnesses so it’s important that you keep an eye on them. Their coats require brushing three to four times each week which will help keep them free of debris but also allow you the opportunity to check on their health. Many owners find them easy to train and exceptionally easy to handle because they like the attention. An old breed, the first recorded Abyssinian in Europe was during the 16th century.Ībyssinian Guinea Pig – a rosetted short-haired breedĪbyssinians are very curious and bright creatures that have a lot of personality, as well as energy. Known for their tufted coats (called rosettes), the Abyssinian is a common breed choice of guinea pig and one which does well in shows. Here is a list of guinea pig breeds with pictures to show you what the different hairdos look like: If you’re thinking of getting a new guinea pig, we always recommend that you go to a rescue centre rather than a breeder as there are so many of these lovely pets who need a caring home. Many guinea pigs which you find in the pet shops or rescue centres are a mixture of various breeds. Some are more common than others, such as the Abyssinian which is quite a common type of cavy, and some, like the Merino are rarer. There are many different types breeds of guinea pig, each with their own characteristics, colouring and markings.