Descriptions Colors & Pictures of Guinea Pig Breeds

There are over 60 Guinea Pig breeds which vary in terms of characteristics such as color and hair length. There are even show breeds judged by organizations such as the American Cavy Breeders Association. Guinea Pigs or Cavies (scientific name is Cavia porcellus) are gentle pets. They are known for their social personality and size, since they are larger than similar pets such as hamsters or gerbils.  They are used to live in groups and rarely if ever bite.

Source: New Zealand Cavy Club

The most popular breeds are listed and described in alphabetical order below:

Guinea Pig Breeds

• Abyssinian Guinea Pig (most popular)
  
• American Guinea Pig
• Coronet
• Crested
• Peruvian
• Silkie: (also called Shelties)
• Teddy
• Texel

Additional, less recognized breeds

• Alpaca guinea pig
• Merino

Hairless breeds

• Skinny pigs
• Baldwins

Abyssinian Guinea Pig

First, I need to say that these guinea pigs look very cute and funny. All thanks to the coat. Their coat has what guinea pig experts call rosettes or in simple words - swirls and ridges. Rosettes are clearly defined with "show" pets having a minimum of 8 rosettes. The hair is not long nor short.

There is also a satin Abyssinian guinea pig variety with the only difference being that the satin's coat is shiny. Abyssinian guinea pigs come in many different colors. In a similar fashion to the Abyssinian, the Abyssinian Satin coat has a shiny coat referred to as a sheen. It also needs a at least 8 rosettes to be considered a "show" Guinea Pig.

American Guinea Pig (also called an English Cavy)

Some call them English cavy. This is the breed you are most likely to find in pet shops and is the most popular. It has short, smooth and straight hair that lies flat on the piggy's body. The nose is referred to as being "Roman" with a head that has a high full crown.

Source: Pat Hasfele, American Cavy Breeders Association

The American guinea pig satin variety is different because of the shiny coat. Very nice and soft when you feel it. They come in all colors.

Coronet Guinea Pigs

Coronet is a long haired guinea pig that has a single rosette on the head and a very soft coat. He is something like a mix of a silkie and crested guinea pig. He needs a lot of hair care. Show level Coronet Guinea Pigs have a rosette located exactly in the middle of the head.

Source: Abrahami, Wikimedia

Crested Guinea Pigs (American or English)

This one has short, smooth hair and one swirl on the head. You can find American and English crested varieties.

American or white crested has, as the name says, a white crest and no more white spots on the body. It can come in different colors but if the crest is not the only white spot it is not a white crested guinea pig. A "white crested" pet would only have a white crest on the top of the head.

English one has the crest which is the same color like the rest of the coat.

Source: Wikimedia

Peruvian Guinea Pig

Peruvian guinea pig has straight hair, several inches long. It takes a lot of time to groom this pet. Described in simple words his hair falls from the top of the body to all sides. Hair length can grow to several inches. It can be good to cut their hair a bit at the back so it does not get dirty after piggy excreting or sitting in dirty places. This is one of the guinea pig breeds that might not be a good solution for a pet.

As Abyssinian and American, Peruvian also has a satin variety.

Silkie Guinea Pig

Silkie guinea pig has very long hair and it is very silky. The hair grows from the head towards the back. His face hair is shorter. Again, a satin variety is recognized. This guinea pig requires a lot of hair grooming like the Peruvian one does.

Source: ACBA, Pat Hasfele

Teddy Guinea Pig

Again one (for me) funny looking guinea pig. This one has short and very dense kinked hair and his hair stands up so he looks very fuzzy. Members have this breed have a "Roman" upright nose. It is a popular breed in the U.S.

There is a satin variety, too.

Texel Guinea Pig

One very out of fashion looking guinea pig. Bad hair-do definitely (says a girl with short hair). Only joking. This is, however, very hairy looking guinea pig. It has wavy long coat. It will really take some money and time for the upkeep of this hair.

Source: ACBA

More Guinea Pig Breeds

Some additional breeds that are less recognized but are out there.

Alpaca Guinea Pig

Alpaca guinea pig is one of the long haired guinea pig breeds and has the hair growing over the face. Maybe he is related to the big South American alpaca?

Merino

Merino has long wavy hair and a crest.

Hairless Guinea Pig Breeds

Skinny Pigs

Skinny pigs have no hair except some on their face and feet.

Baldwins

Baldwins have no hair at all so you might want to get him a little sweater for cold days.

Check available guinea pigs for adoption.

Guinea Pig Colors

Besides guinea pig breeds there is one more important list to add here - color varieties.

• Agouti - each hair has strips of dark and light color
• Albino - white with pink eyes
• Brindle - two colors all over the body
• Dalmatian - like the dog with the same name, white with black spots
• Dutch - head and back of the body same color and white in the middle
• Himalayan - this one reminds me of Siamese cats from Lady and the Tramp, Disney movie, white body with dark feet, ears and nose
• Roan - red or black mixed equally with white
• Selfs - one color guinea pigs, white, beige, cream, chocolate, red, black...
• Tortoiseshell - red and black patches equally distributed over the piggy's body but not mixing with each other
• Tortoiseshell and white - same like the above with white patch

Related Articles

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Guinea pig teeth

Guinea pig diet

Guinea pigs as pets

Resources

American Cavy Breeders Association

The British Cavy Council

New Zealand Cavy Club

By Jeff Grill