Pets Radar - Five popular guinea pig breeds: Which breed suits you best?

Posted on 16 July, 2021

Photo by Karlijn Prot on Unsplash

Written by Catherine Barnette DVM for Pets Radar

When you think of guinea pig breeds, there is probably a single image that comes to mind. In reality, though, there is no “typical” guinea pig. Guinea pigs come in several breeds, each of which has a unique appearance and personality.

Some breeds are calm and affectionate, which is perfect for an owner who wants to snuggle with their pet. Other breeds are very high-energy, which would be ideal for an owner who is interested in training.

Researching guinea pig breeds can help you determine which breed is the best fit for you. If you’d like to learn a little more about guinea pigs, take a look at our feature Can guinea pigs eat grapes?

1. American/English guinea pig

Pros:

  • Friendly, laid-back, and easy to care for
  • Often available in pet stores

Cons:

  • Laid-back personalities may make them less of a challenge for advanced owners

The American guinea pig is the oldest and most well-known guinea pig breed. If you have seen guinea pigs for sale in a U.S. pet store, they likely were American guinea pigs. If you were to see them for sale outside of the U.S., however, they would be referred to as English guinea pigs! These guinea pigs actually originated in South America, then become pets in Europe before reaching the United States.

American/English guinea pigs are known for their laid-back, easygoing personalities. Individual variation always exists, but this species does not tend to be as high-strung as some other breeds, especially if socialized appropriately from a young age. Because of their laid-back nature, they are considered to be a good fit for children and first-time guinea pig owners. If you are looking for a guinea pig that you can cuddle and handle regularly, the American/English guinea pig may be a great option.

American/English guinea pigs tend to be relatively small, ranging in length from 8-9 inches. Their weight typically averages 1.5-2.5 pounds, with males being larger than females.

2. Abyssinian guinea pig

Pros:

  • Friendly, affectionate, and eager to learn
  • Eye-catching coat.
  • Easily available

Cons:

  • High-energy breed, requires frequent interaction
  • Coat requires brushing to avoid tangles

Abyssinian guinea pigs are popular as both pets and show animals. Like American/English guinea pigs, Abyssinians are one of the earliest guinea pig species. Although their name suggests they are from Abyssinia (Ethiopia), they actually originated in South America. Like American/English guinea pigs, Abyssinians are commonly available in pet stores.

Abyssinian guinea pigs have a distinct appearance, due to the presence of rosettes (swirls or cowlicks) in their fur. In the show ring, the number of rosettes is a large determinant of how well a guinea pig will show. Abyssinians that show successfully often have at least 8-10 rosettes.

Compared to laid-back American/English guinea pigs, Abyssinians are considered a high-energy breed. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage! If you’re looking for a guinea pig who will thrive with regular attention and training, an Abyssinian may be a great choice. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a calm, cuddly guinea pig, an Abyssinian may not be the best option.

Overall, Abyssinians are considered to be a reasonable choice for children and first-time guinea pig owners. They are relatively large guinea pigs, with their adult size reaching up to 12 inches in length. They typically weigh 2.5-3.5 pounds when fully grown.

3. Skinny pig

Pros:

  • Unique appearance
  • No grooming required
  • Good for owners with allergies

Cons:

  • Must remain indoors
  • Increased nutritional requirements
  • High purchase price

Skinny pigs are known for their unusual appearance. They have a small amount of hair on their muzzle, feet, and legs, with the rest of their bodies largely hairless. Hairless guinea pigs were initially developed for laboratory research in the 1980s, although they were unsuitable for use as pets at that time. After several generations of breeding with traditional, haired guinea pigs, the sturdier, pet-appropriate Skinny pig breed was developed and introduced as pets in the United States in the 1990s. Because Skinny pigs are uncommon, these guinea pigs may be difficult to find and may cost $100-200.

While their lack of hair is adorable, it also affects the care these guinea pigs require. Skinny pigs must be kept indoors because their lack of hair means they have no protection from cold temperatures or sunburn. Additionally, Skinny pigs eat more than other guinea pigs, because fast metabolism is required for them to stay sufficiently warm. Finally, they need to be handled carefully, because their unprotected skin is more prone to abrasions than other guinea pigs.

Skinny pigs range in size from 8-12 inches, with typical weights ranging from 1-2 pounds.

4. Teddy guinea pig

Pros:

  • Distinctive appearance with a cute, wiry coat
  • Calm and cuddly personality

Cons:

  • Prone to dry skin, especially with overbathing

Teddy guinea pigs get their name from their appearance, which resembles a teddy bear. They have thick, wiry hair that sticks out from the body, instead of lying flat and smooth against the skin. They also have a wider, larger nose than other breeds, which contributes to their unique appearance. Teddy guinea pigs are relatively common and can be obtained from pet stores, breeders, and rescue groups.

Teddy guinea pigs are known for being calm and friendly. Many Teddy guinea pigs are very tolerant of handling and may even enjoy cuddling with their owners. This makes them a good option for children or first-time guinea pig owners. Their short coat requires minimal grooming, making them a relatively low-maintenance guinea pig breed. Their skin is prone to dryness, so frequent bathing is a problem for this breed.

Teddy guinea pigs are relatively small, averaging 1.5-3 pounds when fully grown.

5. Peruvian guinea pig

Pros:

  • Long, smooth, coat can grow to be very long
  • Friendly and curious

Cons:

  • Requires extensive grooming, including both brushing and trimming

Peruvian guinea pigs can be identified by their incredibly long hair. If left without grooming, their hair will become so long that it can be difficult to distinguish which end of the guinea pig is its head! This breed has a friendly temperament and enjoys human interaction.

The gorgeous coat of a Peruvian guinea pig, however, is very high-maintenance. Peruvian guinea pigs have long, silky hair, similar to humans. Like humans, their hair requires daily brushing to keep tangles to a manageable level. If the hair becomes matted, it can become painful for your guinea pig and contribute to skin infections.

In addition to brushing, the hair of Peruvian guinea pigs must be regularly trimmed, to keep it from becoming so long that it hinders the guinea pig’s movement. While you may see some show Peruvians with incredibly long hair, these guinea pigs must have their hair pinned up and wrapped for protection between shows; this is not practical for a typical pet guinea pig.

Choose your guinea pig breed carefully

If you are looking to add a guinea pig to your home, resist the temptation to purchase the first adorable face you see in a pet store! Take your time to research guinea pig breeds, to determine the breed that will be the best fit for you and your family.


Dr. Barnette received both her Bachelor of Science degree in zoology and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida. She’s an experienced writer, educator, and veterinarian, with a passion for making scientific and medical information accessible to public and professional audiences.


To read the original article written by Catherine Barnette DVM for Pets Radar, please visit: www.petsradar.com/features/five-popular-guinea-pig-breeds

Tags:

Share this: