Guinea Pigs - A Quick Overview of Breeds
When we think about a guinea pig, the first image that often enters our mind is the American Guinea Pig - the "classic" or "standard" guinea pig - and the most common. But there are several other breeds in addition to the common American Guinea Pig. This article is going to introduce you to a select few of the breeds commonly found in homes today.
American Guinea Pig
This is the variety that everybody immediately pictures first as we hear the words "guinea pig". It is also often referred to as an English guinea pig. This is a short hair breed which makes it very suitable for a pet. It does not require grooming and can be held and petted without messing up its coat.
Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is a long-haired breed. The coat on this animal is distinctive because it has a tendency to curl itself into whirls and swirls. These whirls and swirls are called rosettes. The Abyssinian is one of the oldest breeds that can be found today. If you are searching for a low-maintenance guinea pig, keep looking. This breed requires daily grooming of the coat to avoid snarls and keep the pig looking attractive.
Peruvian
The Peruvian breed is an unusual long-haired breed. Its hair can grow to an amazingly long length of a foot or even more. The hair is smooth and straight and has a tendency to part in the middle and hang naturally to either side of the pig. The long hair needs plenty of attention; so many owners like to keep the coat trimmed up to make this task easier.
Silkie
The Silkie is a less common breed and is also called a
Sheltie. It has a very long (and, of course silky) coat - like the Peruvian. In contrast to the Peruvian, the hair does not tend to part naturally down the ridge of the back. The hair of the Silkie sweeps backward from its head. The coat of the Silkie is also softer than that of the Peruvian.
This article has presented a short overview of some of the more common guinea pig breeds. Regardless of the breed, guinea pigs can make great loving pets and help to brighten a household. Although long haired breeds have a tendency to look more exotic and sometimes make good show animals, the common short-haired American breed is a very popular household pet because its coat requires little care. The good news is guinea pigs are comparatively low-maintainence pets. They need little more than nutritious food; fresh hay; water; a clean, safe, comfortable and spacious guinea pig cage and - a little love and attention from you.
No matter what breed of guinea pig you prefer, they each have identical requirements for a healthy, comfortable and secure home. We here at BlueStoneCommerce are guinea pig owners as well as guinea pig cage merchants. We all know what pigs like and what they require in a guinea pig cage to be healthy, comfortable and secure. So, if you're looking out for a lot of guinea pig cage for the money, Click one of these resource area links to visit one of our online stores
Cats 101: Abyssinian
Abyssinian
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