Teddy Guinea Pig Breeders – Your children may think they are ready for a dog, but you know you would be doing most of the feeding, walking and cleaning that dogs require. For families who are first pet owners, vets often recommend smaller pets like guinea pigs because, as Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM for VetStreet, guinea pigs are less vulnerable than other small animals such as rabbits and hamsters. And like a dog, there are a number of guinea pig breeds to choose from.
A guinea pig’s breed can affect its temperament, coat type and maintenance, and health. Once you’ve decided which guinea pig breed is best for you, you can go to your local animal shelter or look up guinea pig rescues online. .
Teddy Guinea Pig Breeders
Apart from the different breeds and lack of fragility, guinea pigs are relatively easy to care for. They usually do not suffer from serious health problems as long as they are properly cared for. They also eat a relatively simple diet of hay, fresh vegetables, pelleted food and, says Hess, a vitamin C supplement. Their water supply should be replenished regularly and their cage should be lined with litter that is cleaned throughout the a week. These are all tasks that children can do quite easily, which makes guinea pigs a much less intimidating first pet than, say, a dog.
Fascinating Facts About Guinea Pigs
Have we already convinced you to adopt a guinea pig? These are some of the most popular guinea pig breeds, although new breeds are still emerging
According to the Guinea Pig Hub, the American guinea pig is the most common breed. They have a sweet, lively temperament which makes them great companions for children. Their short fur also makes them much easier to groom and care for than long haired guinea pigs.
Crested, also known as White Crested, guinea pigs often look very similar to American guinea pigs, but according to the Guinea Pig Hub, they have swirls or “crowns” of hair on their heads. Their temperament is similar to the American and their coats are also low maintenance.
According to Spruce Pets, Coronet guinea pigs are long-haired guinea pigs with a spiral on top of their head from which their hair grows and splits. According to Somerzby Pet Products, they are curious and playful, but require a lot of grooming due to their long fur.
Cute Guinea Pig Breeds For Those Who Are Looking To Adopt One
Peruvian guinea pigs have the longest fur of any breed, so much so that it usually covers their eyes. The Peruvian holds the record for the longest fur on a guinea pig at 21 inches, so don’t adopt or buy this breed unless you are prepared to follow a proper grooming plan. Some Peruvian owners trim their long hair to make it easier to mate, but Guinea Pig Hub recommends letting it grow naturally.
Himalayan guinea pigs have the color of a Siamese cat, although their dark spots usually do not develop for several months after birth. Their eyes are red, so their overall color combination is extremely unique. Although Guinea Pig Hub notes that they are sociable and gentle, Himalayan guinea pigs are best for people who have already owned guinea pigs, according to Somerzby Pet Products, as they are rather high maintenance and they need to stay indoors.
The fur of a Silkie or Sheltie guinea pig grows from the face and down the back, although according to breed standards it should not be part of the middle. Silkies come in many different colors and are known as the gentlest breed according to Somerzby Pet Products. This means they may not be suitable for children as their longer hair requires more maintenance.
Teddies are known for their stiff, wiry coats that are short and knotty, according to Spruce Pets. The texture makes them resemble teddy bears, hence their name. This makes their coats extremely easy to maintain, although they do require occasional brushing.
The Great Guinea Pig Giveaway Has Begun
Teddys are the only breed with an upturned nose, according to the Guinea Pig Hub, and they have one of the best temperaments, making them a great family pet.
Texels look a lot like Silkies, only with curly coats that require a lot of grooming. When their fur is long enough, the curls can even turn into distinctive ringlets, according to Somerzby Pet Products.
Texels make great guinea pigs because they have beautiful waves and curls, but the maintenance they require means they are best suited to someone who has more time to groom their coat.
According to the Guinea Pig Hub, Rexes have short, thick wool-like fur, and are also known for their prickly ears, giving them a hedgehog-like appearance.
Swiss Teddy Guinea Pig Or Ch Teddy, Pup, About 3 Weeks Stock Photo
Rex guinea pigs might be what you might call “lap guinea pigs” if such a thing existed, as Somerzby says they enjoy being held and cuddled.
The skinny guinea pig, commonly known as the Skinny Pig, is almost completely hairless except for the hair on the face, legs and feet. As a result, their skin can be sensitive and they can develop fungal infections or injuries, which means they are probably better pets for adults who can keep a close eye on them.
Thin pigs are pets and their cages should contain “nesting material” such as a small blanket. by Somerzby Pet Products.
Sheba Mini Yaks, or Shebas, are often called “bad hair day” guinea pigs, thanks to the swirls (called rosettes) in their fur that cause them to stick out in different directions. Although their coat is cute and a lot of fun, it requires a lot of maintenance. Fortunately, their sweet and curious nature means they are unlikely to fight you when it comes time to brush their teeth.
Guinea Pig Breeds That Make Wonderful Pets
Alpacas are much less common guinea pigs, so you probably won’t find them in pet stores. Their thick, curly hair grows on over their heads and needs a bath about once a month.
Alpacas are loved for their affectionate nature – they will want to spend time with you, which is good because their fur also needs daily brushing.
No matter what breed you choose, make sure you take the time to bond with them. Guinea pigs are loving pets with funny and loving personalities, and although they don’t need as much daily exercise as dogs, they will need your time and love just like any other pet. Among the 13 different breeds of guinea pigs, there are also a number of recognized basic coat colors as well as countless color combinations and patterns.
The Abyssinian guinea pig has a short coat with tufts of hair called rosettes. Ideally, the show Abyssinian has eight to ten rosettes evenly distributed over the body.
Long Haired Guinea Pigs
Abyssinian satins are very similar to the standard Abyssinian guinea pig breed, but they will have a shiny, satiny coat.
However, the gene that causes the satin in guinea pigs is linked to a gene that causes a large number of deformities and other fatal health problems. Therefore, it is better to avoid satin types.
The American guinea pig breed has a short smooth coat without rosettes. It has a dull appearance and generally requires less maintenance than other guinea pig breeds.
These caves are easy, social and people oriented. And they come in a huge variety of colors.
Crescent Cavies Teddy Cavies
Like the standard American version, the American Satin Guinea Pig has a short, smooth coat with no rosettes. The main difference is that American satin will have a shiny, glossy coat.
However, American Satins are also prone to the same satin guinea pig syndrome we mentioned earlier. They often suffer from deformities and other serious health problems.
The Coronet guinea pig has a single tuft (rosette) of fur in the center of the forehead and a long, shaggy coat.
The coat of the Peruvian guinea pig grows from back to front along the middle part with two spirals (rosettes), one at the front and one at the back. These direct hair growth across the face and then back across the back.
Guinea Pig Breeds: Ultimate List Of All The Types You Can Own
As before, the Peruvian Satin Guinea Pig breed is characterized by a shiny, glossy coat.
Like the standard Peruvian variety, it will have a long coat that grows along the middle part with two rosettes to guide the growth of the hair.
A health problem with Peruvian guinea pigs is their habit of chewing their own hair, even when they have enough materials suitable for chewing! This can cause internal addiction (similar to how hair affects cats).
And on top of that, Peruvian satin is prone to the same satin guinea pig syndrome as the other types of satin we’ve already covered.
Guinea Pig Breeds.
A Silkie is sometimes called a Sheltie, especially in Great Britain. The Sheltie is not just another breed of guinea pig.
Silkies have a soft, luxurious “curtain” of fur that falls naturally from the face and is slightly longer near the rear end. They do not have rosettes.
Like the Silkie Guinea Pig, the Silkie Satin Guinea Pig breed has long fur that grows from front to back without a middle part. They have no rosettes, so their hair is completely straight and smooth.
However, they are a much less healthy version, prone to tooth and bone deformities,
Guinea Pig Breeds List
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