Guinea Pig Breeds

The cute innocent faces of guinea pigs, which are in contrast with their shrewd looking eyes, make them popular pets! Another reason for their popularity is that there are many breeds of guinea pigs to choose from. So you can choose your own special piggy! Now, read on to know all about guinea pigs.

Know some Facts about your Piggy!

• Guinea pigs do not come from Guinea!
• Many breeds of Guinea pigs are found in South America. In fact that's their home. Guinea pig breeds are found from Columbia to Brazil.
• Generally, they have a short life span of 3-6 years.
• They are harmless creatures. Unlike dogs, a guinea pig won't bite you.
• They don't seek constant attention. But they do appreciate pampering!
• Guinea pigs like company so it is advisable to keep them with a sow.
• All breeds of guinea pigs litter the place so it is advisable to keep them in a cage. And obviously clean their cages regularly otherwise your house will be filled with the smell of pigs.
• Unlike cats, guinea pigs' eyes open as soon as they are born, and they are also fully developed.
• They are pure veggies! So don't try feeding your Rodney, your favorite chicken soup.
• All guinea pig breeds are timid.
• The different sounds they make have a meaning. Don't ignore their pig sounds as grunts!

More on facts about Guinea pigs.

Different Breeds of Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are generally categorized on the basis of their color or pattern. Some of the Guinea pig breeds are common whereas some are rare. The American, Abyssinian, Silkie and Peruvian are some of the common guinea pig breeds.

Commonly found Guinea Pig Breeds

1. The American or the English breed: This is the most common breed. The guinea pigs belonging to this breed have short hair which is also smooth and straight. The American breed is very popular because it is very easy to maintain them, as their hair is short.
2. Abyssinian Breed: The guinea pigs from this category have rough hair compared to that of the American breed. They have a mustache. The specialty of this breed is that their coat has a circular pattern called 'rosettes'. Abyssinians can be found in almost all colors.
3. Silkie: Guinea pigs from this group have long hair. But they never flow over their face. They look really adorable, and their hair is also very soft and silky. But they are difficult to maintain because of their long hair. You need to groom them from time to time.
4. Rex: Rex guinea pigs are very cuddly, though their coat is rough. This breed has hair which is curly and so it stands on end. Their eyes are a bit larger as compared to the other breeds. These guinea pigs are not so soft to touch.
5. Texel: Texels also have curly hair. But their hair is very soft and dense unlike Rex's. This breed is known to be friendly. They are also popular for their beauty!
6. Teddy: As their name suggests, the teddy guinea pigs look like teddy bears! They are a lot similar to the Rex breed, but their hair is not as short as the Rex's. One of the unique characteristics of this breed is that they have hair below their belly, which is in not found in the other breeds.
7. Peruvian: Peruvian guinea pigs' hair can grow as long as 20"! That's the reason why they are high maintenance. But the same reason makes them stand apart from rest of the guinea pigs!

Did you know?
In Peru, there is actually a festival of guinea pigs! All breeds of guinea pigs are brought to this festival. They are dressed up in colored clothes. A competition is also conducted where the best dressed & the largest pig is awarded. Sadly, there's also an award for the tastiest pig!

Thought this is only about pig breeds? No! It's also about guinea pig names.

Guinea Pig Names
Thinking of some unique names for your pet? Here are some really funky Guinea pig names: Cookie, Chesney, Fella, Fluffy, Gremlin, Piggy sue, Venus and Scarper. Know more on Guinea pig names. I hope this article on different guinea pig breeds has helped you to choose your guinea pig!