Feature:
9 Breeds of Long-Haired Guinea Pigs With Amazing Manes
"When thinking about guinea pigs, most people have a picture in their minds of the well-known, common American guinea pig breed that has a short coat. However, unbeknownst to most people, guinea pigs come in a variety of breeds with different shapes, slightly different sizes, & different coat colors & lengths...
So, if you’re considering getting one of these adorable little rodents as a pet, be sure that you get a proper guinea pig cage, including guinea pig supplies such as water & food dishes, guinea pig food & bedding. You should also purchase a wide-tooth comb or soft-bristled brush to do daily brushing of your long-haired guinea pig.
While the different long-haired breeds of guinea pigs all share the feature of a mane-like coat, they each have their own unique characteristics that make them special...
Abyssinian Guinea Pig
Originally from South America, these guinea pigs have a rough-textured, spiky coat that can grow nearly 2 inches long. Their coat grows in swirls or cowlicks, called rosettes, that are paired across their body, typically with 8 rosettes total. Their hair comes in a variety of colors & patterns, including brindle, roan, tortoiseshell, & solid. Abyssinians are known to be very affectionate & outgoing but can get into trouble for being too curious. They make great first-time guinea pigs for families.
Peruvian Guinea Pig
With extremely long, straight hair all over its body, the Peruvian is harder to care for when compared to short-haired guinea pig breeds. Their coat can grow as long as 24 inches, & it requires a lot of daily grooming. Once referred to as Angora guinea pigs, Peruvians have hair that hangs over their foreheads like bangs, which may grow long enough to cover their eyes.
Their coats part down their backs, hanging down on both sides of their spines. Typically, their hair is arranged in 2 rosettes—one in which the hair extends forward, & the other in which it extends backward. Peruvians bond closely with their owners & are often considered the most alert & engaged of the guinea pig breeds.
Texel Guinea Pig
Also called Curlies, Texels are originally from England & have stout bodies & broad heads. They have soft, thick fur that is arranged in curls all over their bodies (including their bellies) & is often parted in the middle of their backs. They usually have shorter hair on their faces & may have longer curls behind their ears & along their lower jaws. Due to their long ringlets, Texels require quite a bit of daily brushing to maintain their coats free of tangles; thus, this breed is not ideal for children or very busy adults.
Silkie Guinea Pig
Also known as Shelties, this breed of guinea pig comes from England & is called a Silkie because of its long, soft, smooth, shiny haircoat. Unlike some of the other long-haired guinea pig breeds, the Silkie has a coat that is not parted or arranged in rosettes. Instead it sweeps backward, like it’s slicked back, away from its face, giving its body a teardrop shape. Although sometimes shy at first, Silkies are known to be gentle & laid back & are good family pets, as long as their coat is brushed daily to keep it free of debris & knotting.
Coronet Guinea Pig
Sometimes called the English guinea pig, the Coronet resembles the Silkie in that they have smooth coats that grow backwards over their bodies. However, unlike the Silkie, the Coronet has a rosette, or coronet, of hair in the center of its head. The rest of their hair is not parted. The Coronets are known to be affectionate & inquisitive & can make wonderful companions.
Lunkarya Guinea Pig
Occasionally called the 'Lunk,' the Lunkarya is originally from Sweden & is rarely seen in the US. The Lunk has rough-textured, dense, long, curly hair that sticks out in all directions & cannot be combed flat. There are 3 breed variations: the Lunkarya Peruvian—with a distinct forelock on its head, the Lunkarya Sheltie—with hair flowing back over its body, & the Lunkarya Coronet—with a crest of hair on its forehead.
Sheba Guinea Pig
Originating in Australia, the Sheba mini yak, or Sheba for short, has a stocky body & a tousled-looking coat. Their dense hair is arranged in rosettes, similar to that of the Abyssinian & the Peruvian. They have square heads & hair arranged around the sides of their faces, so it looks like they have mutton-chop whiskers. They are gentle & curious & make excellent family pets if someone is willing to groom them each day.
Alpaca Guinea Pig
These guinea pigs are also called the boucle, English Peruvian & curly coated Coronet. They have wavy, coarse hair, similar to that of the camel-like alpaca. Each strand of hair varies in color from its root to its end. They also have a rosette of hair on their foreheads. As a result of their thick coats, they should be kept indoors or they risk overheating outside in warm weather. Alpacas are extremely high-maintenance guinea pigs because their dense hair requires daily brushing & detangling.
Merino Guinea Pig
Also called the English Merino & the Merino Peruvian, the Merino has a curly coat like that of a Texel. The hair is short on their broad heads & is arranged in a crest-type rosette right on top, between their eyes & ears. They make wonderful pets, as they are typically sweet & gentle.
While the different breeds of long-haired guinea pigs have subtle differences in personality & more extreme differences in appearance, in general, they all require quite a bit more grooming than short-haired guinea pigs to keep their long coats healthy. So, if you’re thinking about taking one of these precious piggies home, just be sure your schedule can accommodate extra time for daily brushing & care."
Laurie Hess, DVM, DABVP
Oct. 31/2018
petmed.com
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