Guinea pig breeds

Guinea pigs are considered one of the most popular pets. You can find them either in bird markets or in pet stores. However, these animals will be perfectly thoroughbred. But for those who want to breed them, this is unacceptable, because offspring can be unpredictable.

Therefore, it is best to buy pigs from breeders who have all the documents confirming their origin. Today, there are many specialized clubs where you can buy guinea pigs with good pedigrees. There are more than 80 species of breeds that differ both in the length of the coat and in its structure.

Unusual and beautiful guinea pigs with long hair are completely different, and with the most unusual names. At first glance, it is very difficult to understand what kind of animal is in front of the eyes: a shaggy little dog or a downy rabbit. These thoroughbred “hippies” appeared thanks to the incredible efforts of breeders. Almost all rodents have thick and long hair, which in some breeds can exceed 45 centimeters.

These guinea pigs are very nice to touch, as they are quite soft to the touch. Their fur, unlike other relatives, has no parting, but simply falls back. The hair on the head is thicker and a bit like a mane. Like other long-haired animals, sheltie are friendly and calm.

These are the most active representatives among all guinea pigs with long hair. Their characteristic feature is a single outlet on the head. Long hair flows on both sides, while not covering their face.

This beauty is distinguished by a very long and curly hair. It is a bit like fleece. In addition, it grows towards the head. There are 2 sockets on the sacrum, another is located on the head, and looks like a bang.

On the face, the hair is a little stiffer than on the rest of the body. Alpaca guinea pigs are quite compact, with small and neat ears. Their color is very different - from black to golden. In rare cases, even bicolor or tri-color alpacas can be found.

This is the most beautiful breed of long-haired guinea pigs, and she appeared as a result of crossing two breeds: Sheltie and Royal (Rex). Their curly hair grows away from the head. In addition, it cascades all over the back from the parting, framing the head without long hair. The length of the hairs can reach up to 15 centimeters.

This breed of pigs is a bit like fluffy lumps that you want to pick up. They have beautiful big eyes and small ears in the shape of rose petals. The color of texels is quite diverse. Among them you can even find white guinea pigs.

Such guinea pigs are also called royal in a different way, and all thanks to their beautiful and curly hair. A rosette that resembles a crown adorns their head. The fur is very long, so the owners often have to cut their pets in the summer. Their color can be both white and gray, and also combine several shades at the same time.

This breed of pigs has become quite popular due to its flexible character, as well as its beautiful appearance. Their coat is very soft and long, therefore it requires constant care. On the sacrum, as well as on the nose there are sockets. The animal's face is closed with a long bang.

Peruvian guinea pigs can be both monochromatic and multicolor, but most often their color is silver gray. They live no more than 6 years and weigh up to 1.5 kilograms.

This is the largest breed of guinea pigs, their weight sometimes reaches 4 kilograms. Most often they are grown for meat. Qui are more considered smooth-haired breeds of pigs, but among them it is worth noting Peruvian animals that are bred as decorative creatures.

This species does not breed well, and also has a tendency to various diseases. In addition, they have a very aggressive character. Almost all Kui have 5 or 6 fingers on their paws, however, this does not bother them at all. Most of them do not live very long, within 3 years.

Such animals are distinguished by short hair, the length of which does not exceed 3 centimeters.

The coat of these pigs is silky and pleasant to the touch. She is tight to her skin. Their color is quite diverse and can be either monophonic or two-tone.

This breed of pigs is different in that it has a crest on the head. It is located between her ears and eyes. They can be divided into 2 subspecies: English and American. They differ only in color. American guinea pigs are completely plain and have a white crest on their heads. English subspecies are only plain.

This breed of pigs is considered smooth-haired. However, her fur is not located in one direction, but collected in separate bunches. There are no more than 8 of them on the animal, but they are all evenly placed on the sides.

Their body is muscular and long, but the legs are short and straight. The coat of the Abyssinians is very stiff, and does not exceed 3.5 centimeters. It often happens that they are obese or have various heart diseases.

A characteristic feature of this breed of pigs is a very stiff and wavy coat.It is all upright and looks like fluff. Rexes come in a variety of colors. In addition, they are very fond of young children.

The breed got such a name due to its incredible resemblance to little cubs. Teddy wool is very soft to the touch. Its length does not exceed 2 centimeters, so it always stands upright. The eyes they have are large and very expressive. The color of the teddy is quite diverse. It can be monophonic or two-color, for example, a mumps white, with black or brown spots.

Despite their resemblance to clumsy bears, these pets are distinguished by their energy. They like to run and play. At the same time, they do not bite, and they show their dissatisfaction only with a formidable look. Such beauties live up to 7 years.

If we talk about English selfies, then this variety of pigs is considered the oldest of all existing breeds. They differ from their relatives in a uniform color, for example, they can be completely cream or black, lilac or any other color.

Such handsome men appeared in the 1920s in England. If we talk about their description, then they have a very short fur and a small compact body. Most often, the color of the eyes and even the legs completely coincides with the color of their body, but selfies with red eyes are also found. In addition, their eyes and ears are very large.

These pigs grow very slowly, and only after 2 years reach the size of an adult animal. Their weight does not exceed 2 kilograms. Such pets are not aggressive to others, but also to each other.

Today in the world there are several rather original breeds of guinea pigs, which are not widespread.

• Lunkaria. This is the youngest type of pig that is considered incredibly beautiful, and even exotic. Their fur is curly and uneven, however, if the animal is washed and combed, it will look elegant. Wavy curls are located throughout the body, only the muzzle of the pig remains open. Lunkaria can have a different color. They are calm and friendly, live up to 6 years.

• Another not very common form is curls. It is very similar to previous pigs. The only thing is that his coat is a little shorter and not so shaggy.

• Mini-yak. This breed of guinea pigs was born thanks to the crossing of Peruvian and Abyssinian pigs. The result is animals whose fur resembles that of yaks. It is stiff to the touch, and also grows to a certain length. On the head of each pig is a socket, like a parrot. They can have any color.

• Ridgeback. This breed of pigs appeared recently. Their distinguishing feature is the presence on the back of a low ridge, which gives them some aggressiveness. However, they themselves are friendly and meek.

• Himalayans. This breed, like the previous one, is not too well known, as it was bred not so long ago. Differs in white color, with small black or gray spots.

• "Cakes." This affectionate name for the pigs was due to its unusual color. The back of the animal is a bit like a chessboard, which consists of white, black and red.

You can not leave aside these unusual animals. This breed was bred artificially, and has already become very popular, especially among people suffering from allergies. After all, their body does not have wool. To date, there are two breeds of bald pigs: baldwin and skinny.

• Skinny. Born in the 80s of the last century. They do not have fur, only a few hairs on the nose, as well as on the legs. Accordingly, the skin of this breed of pigs is very delicate and velvety.Skinny is distinguished by silver, black or even purple. These animals have a great appetite, so they need to be well fed.

• Baldwin. Unlike skinny, this breed of pigs is completely bald. Their skin resembles rubber to the touch. At birth, they are covered with wool, but after 2 weeks they become bald.

Before buying these interesting rodents, you must definitely learn all about them. It is very important to take into account their nature, what they eat, how to care for them. And only after that determine for yourself the most acceptable option.

Quite popular are the bald breeds of pigs. But, buying them, we must take into account the fact that they are very sensitive to temperature extremes, and also require increased attention to themselves. In addition, their price will be high. Most often, they are chosen by people with allergies or those families in which there are small children.

Rare breeds will be no less beautiful and popular. For example, when buying smooth-haired pigs, a person makes it easier for himself to care for them. Even in such animals, the immune system is more developed. But those who decided to have long-haired pets should know that they will also need to be combed, and this takes more time. Yes, and they cost a little more.

To summarize, we can say that the breeds of guinea pigs are quite diverse. Therefore, you can choose an animal for every taste. But, choosing an animal for itself, we must remember that this pet will require constant attention and care from a person. Only in this case the pet will love and understand its owner, and the owner himself will receive many joyful moments, because the guinea pigs are incredibly funny and interesting.

About what a beginner needs to know about guinea pigs, see the next video.