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15 Jan 2015

Five Most Unusual Guinea Pig Breeds

Posted By : Guest

Filed Under : Guinea Pigs

It’s not like any of us need an excuse to look at photos of adorable guinea pigs… But we thought that some of these rarer breeds should get a little bit more love today! After scrolling through the expanse of the internet, here are our 5 favourite unusual guinea pig breeds which you may not have heard of.

1. Texel Guinea Pig

The Texel breed caught our eyes immediately with its distinctive curly, long haired coat. However this amount of hair also makes the Texel a high maintenance pig; requiring a lot of grooming to keep up that coat in tip top shape. This breed was only recognised in 1998 and originates from the UK.

2. Peruvian Guinea Pig

The Peruvian pig were originally a wild breed in (you guessed it!) Peru. Although known for their long hair, the Peruvian is born with short hair which grows as they age. Again, these pigs need a lot of care and attention due to the grooming needs of their locks – which can grow to a whopping 20 inches in length! It’s important to brush their coat every day and ensure they are living in a clean environment so their hair does not pick up any debris.

3. Abyssinian Guinea Pig

Although Abyssinia is an old name for Ethiopia, this breed is not actually from this region so it is unknown where exactly this name came from! Their hair is known as being a ‘rough coat’ and grows from 6 or 8 rosettes across the body of the guinea pig, giving them a distinctive look.

4. Skinny Pig

It is often said that the Skinny pig breed resembles miniature hippos! This breed is the result of a genetic mutation in the late 70’s and recently has had an increase in popularity. Skinny pigs have no hair on their bodies but may sport some short hair on their faces and feet. Their hairless coat means they need a lot of care. In the colder months it’s imperative to keep these guinea pigs warm, and in the warmer months be sure that they are not in danger of getting sunburnt. Normally guinea pigs’ coat would help to protect them from both of these dangers so skinny pigs needs that little extra help.

5. Teddy Guinea Pig

The Teddy guinea pig has short, fuzzy hair all over its body. This is a very low maintenance breed and is known for being friendly and energetic. The name ‘teddy’ derives from the fact its features resemble that of a teddy bear.

Of course, there are a lot of guinea pig breeds that can make fantastic pets with the right owner. What kind do you look after?

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