Guinea pigs have biological similarities to humans, so they have spread across the globe as popular laboratory animals. However, guinea pigs can make great companions for a variety of families.
I have picked 15 guinea pig breeds to learn something new about our furry friends.
#1 Lunkarya
The Lunkarya is a variation of the Peruvian guinea pig with differences due to the tendency of the coat to form ringlets and the harsh coat texture.
They can be timid when they’re not socialised properly, and have a lifespan of 5 to 8 years.
They are similar in size to other guinea pig breeds, weighing between 1.5 and 2.5 lbs.
This breed has three variations:
- Lunkarya Sheltie
- Lunkarya Coronet
- Lunkarya Peruvian
#2 Abyssinian Guinea Pig
The Abyssinian is a breed of guinea pig that has rosettes scattered throughout their body. They are one of the most popular guinea pig breeds and are known for their messy hair that sticks up in every direction.
Their coat can grow up to 4 cm long. The breed needs regular brushing to keep its coat from becoming tangled.
#3 Texel Guinea Pig
The Texel guinea pig is one of the newer breeds of guinea pigs. It was developed after a British Rex guinea pig was cross-bred with the Silkie guinea pig.
Their curly coat can quickly become unsightly without adequate daily care.
#4 American Guinea Pig
The American guinea pig is the most popular piggy breed of all and trace their origins to the wild guinea pigs of the Andes in South America. Their short coats make them very low-maintenance and easy to keep.
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#5 Skinny
The Skinny pig is entirely hairless except for small patches. Skinny is not hypoallergenic, in spite of its hairlessness.
Their skin is typically smooth to the touch, and they need to eat more food to maintain body heat.
#6 American Satin Guinea Pig
They have the same fur patterns as American guinea pigs, with just one difference. They have the hollow hair follicle.
#7 Peruvian Guinea Pig
The Peruvian guinea pig is a gorgeous pet to have and one of the first long-haired breeds that were selectively bred for showing.
Their hair is parted down the middle and grows up over their foreheads, and it should be soft and silky to the touch.
This bred require regular grooming to avoid knotting and mats forming. You will most commonly come across the bi-colored and self varieties.
Peruvian guinea pigs have a lifespan of about four to seven years.
#8 Crested
The crested guinea pig features a single rosette on the forehead.
They are very similar to the American in terms of coat type and personality.
#9 Sheltie (Silkie) Guinea Pig
The Silkie guinea pig originates from England and has a soft coat that grows backward from the head. You should know that a Sheltie guinea pig needs space to run around and get rid of its energy.
#10 Himalayan guinea pig
Himalayan guinea pigs are social pets that have eyes like most albinos. They are known as the Siamese cats of the guinea pig world.
#11 Rex
The Rex is the largest breed of guinea pig, and can weigh 1.4 kg. Their fur is dense and more wiry or coarse to the touch.
They can live to be around 6 years of age.
#12 Coronet Guinea Pig
The breed is a combination of a Sheltie and a Crested guinea pig. You should carefully clean Coronet’s long coat with a brush.
“Coronet” means crown in English.
#13 Teddy Guinea Pig
The Teddy guinea pig breed has a dense coat that mimics a teddy bear. It is a very good pet for small children. Teddy Guinea Pigs don’t take up a lot of space and are fairly quiet.
#14 Baldwin Guinea Pig
The Baldwin guinea pig can be easily recognised by its lack of hair. Their skin has a similar appearance to human skin. They are born fully furred; this breed lose their entire fur by two months of age.
#15 Merino
The Merino guinea pig has a coat pattern similar to the Coronet.