Guinea Pig Breeds - WikiNormals

()Map WIKINORMALS (Map) SMALL RODENT SECTION

Overview

The breeds described below have been derived from the 'American Cavy Breeders Association' which provided the most comprehensive lsit of breeds. Please see http://www.acbaonline.com/breeds.html for further information.
To make the process of breed identification easier, each breed has several examples and includes a small narrative of the breed characteristic. The various colours and their descriptions can also be found at the bottom of the page.

Abyssinian

• The Abyssinian has a rough short coat defined by a symmetrical pattern of rosettes and ridges (similar to whorls in horses). The coat is often able to stand on end to accentuate the ridges. Variety of colours.

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  Abyssinian
  WikiCommons

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  Abyssinian
  WikiCommons

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  Abyssinian
  WikiCommons

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  Abyssinian
  WikiCommons

Abyssinian Satin

• Same as above except rough feeling coat has a more satin feel and is generally softer.

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  Satin Abyssinian
  freewebs.com

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  Satin Abyssinian
  acbaonline.com

Crested

• Short haired smooth coat with a distinctive crest in a different colour to that of the body. A self-colour with a white crest and no other white marks on the body is usually referred to as "White Crested". Therefore types of guinea pig with white body markings cannot usually be classed as Crested. Various self-colours and various crest colours.

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  Crested
  WikiCommons

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  Crested
  acbaonline.com

Coronet

• Usually have a long, dense coat and a crest/coronet on top of the head. Various colours.

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  Coronet
  animal-world.com

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  Coronet
  acbaonline.com

Peruvian

• Most have continuously growing long hair that can reach up to 50cm. They usually have a top and under coat. Most also have a frontal hair sweep which can completely cover the head. Various colours.

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  Peruvian
  (With white hair wraps)
  WikiCommons

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  Peruvian
  freewebs.com

Peruvian Satin

• Same as above but softer more shiney coat.

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  Satin Peruvian
  WikiCommons

Rex

• Coat stands on end in a similar fashion to the Teddy (see below) but the hair length is shorter, approximately 1cm. Various colours.

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  Rex
  geocities.com

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  Rex
  flickr.com

Short Haired

• Often also called "English" or "American". Has a smooth, consistently short coat and is sleek with a Roman nose. The hair does not usually have a parting. Variety of colours.

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  Short Haired
  WikiCommons

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  Short Haired
  WikiCommons

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  Short Haired
  WikiCommons

Short Haired Satin

• Same as above except that coat has a softer, satin finish.

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  Satin Short Haired
  acbaonline.com

Silkie

• Also referred to as Sheltie. Has long hair that flows backwards and never covers the head (as in Peruvian). Rear facing hairs are generally longer in Silkies than Peruvians. There is also no parting along the back in Silkies. Various colours.

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  Silkie
  WikiCommons

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  Silkie
  cavyhaven.org

Silkie Satin

• Same as above but with a softer satin coat.

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  Satin Silkie
  geocities.com

Teddy

• Coat should be a consistent length and hairs should be kinked so that they appear to stand on end. Coat should be resiliant and return to upright position immediately after being disturbed. Medium body length and Roman nose. Various colours.

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  Teddy
  WikiCommons

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  Teddy
  acbaonline.com

Teddy Satin

• Same as above but with softer satin coat.

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  Satin Teddy
  acbaonline.com

Texel

• The Texel is similar to the Silkie but with ringlets or curls. The curls are found throughout the coat including the belly. Texels do have a central parting. They have a broad well rounded head. Various colours.

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  Texel
  WikiCommons

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  Texel
  freewebs.com

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  Texel
  acbaonline.com

Other

• Below are a few examples of currently uncommon breeds that are increasing in popularity.

Skinny Pig

• Almost hairless with a small amount on the muzzle and legs.

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  Skinny Pig
  WikiCommons

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  Skinny Pig
  WikiCommons

Ridgeback

• Smooth coated and a ridge of hair running along the back.

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  Ridgeback
  flickr.com

Colours

• Below is a brief overview of the common colours and names of guinea pigs but is by no means all possible colours.

Self

Any Solid colour including black, white, red, beige, chocolate, cream lilac and blue.

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  Self
  WikiCommons

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  Self
  WikiCommons

Dutch

Coloured head, often with a white blaze. Usually the front half of the body is white whilst the rear half is the same colour as the head.

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  Dutch
  WikiCommons

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  Dutch
  acbaonline.com

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  Dutch
  WikiCommons

Brindle

Usually a mixture of two colours, one dark and one light appearing in consistent areas over the body.

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  Brindle
  WikiCommons

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  Brindle
  WikiCommons

Tortoiseshell

Usually large well defined patches of red and black. Distributed evenly and uniformly over the body with defined edges.

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  Tortoiseshell
  WikiCommons

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  Tortoiseshell
  takaro.co.uk

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  Tortoiseshell
  acbaonline.com

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  Tortoiseshell
  WikiCommons

Tortoiseshell & White

As per Tortoiseshell but also includes patches of white. Non-white colours usually alternate on either side of the back.

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  Tortoiseshell & White
  freewebs.com

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  Tortoiseshell & White
  WikiCommons

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  Tortoiseshell & White
  WikiCommons

Roan

Darker hairs mixed with lighter hairs. Usually described by the base colour, for example Red Roan or Black Roan.

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  Roan
  freewebs.com

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  Roan
  novalek.com

Agouti

Each individual strand of hair has a lighter and darker segment. Mainly gives either a golden or silver appearance.

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  Agouti
  geocities.com

• .jpg

  Agouti
  novalek.com