Guinea Pig Breeds

Pet guinea pig We would recommend that anyone who is interested in breeding guinea pigs or who would like to see all of the different colours and types of guinea pigs should visit a local show as the range of cavy breeds is far more extensive than may be thought if you have only seen what is available in your local petshop.

Of course, not every guinea pig is a pure-breed or meets the exact show standard... the vast majority of domestic pigs are mongrels and cross-breeds and make pets which are just as beautiful and charming as the show-quality pedigrees.

Broadly speaking, guinea pigs can be divided into two categories - selfs and non-selfs...

Self guinea pigs are of one single colour and have smooth,short coats. There are many different colours to choose from:

Lilac Self

Golden (pink or dark-eyed)
Red
Lilac
Beige
Buff (Dark Cream)
Saffron (Pale Yellow)

Black
White (pink or dark-eyed)
Cream
Chocolate
Slate (blue/grey)

Non - Selfs are any guinea pigs which have more than one colour or have long or rough coats. These come in most of the self-colours listed above, or a mixture.
English Crested The circular rosette (crest) on the head of the English variety is of the same colour as the body coat (which can be of a variety of colours).	American Crested Unlike the English Crested cavy, the rosette of the American Crested is white. Again, the body can be of a variety of colours
Abyssinian These are a rough-coated breed with up to eight rosettes all the body	Silver Agouti The hair of an Agouti guinea pig has a speckled effect which is the result of light and dark bands of colour in each individual hair. This colouring is most similar to that of the wild guinea pigs of South America.
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.	Dalmation Smooth coated, white with coloured spots.
Himalayan A smooth coated white guinea pig with a chocolate or black smut nose, feet and ears. Himalayans are born pure white with the colour developing after a few months. The smut markings are stronger during the colder, winter months.	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.	Texel A "rexed" sheltie - the long curly coat falling in ringlets around the body.
Coronet A Coronet is basically a Sheltie but with a crest on the head.	Rex Short, curly coat. The Rex is sometimes confused with the American "Teddy" breed which looks almost identical but is genetically different.
Tortoiseshell Smooth coated with a black and red chequered pattern.	Chinchilla A new and emerging breed, yet to be standardised by the UK National Cavy Club. For more infomation click here.

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