Guinea pig breeds, types and colours

How many types of guinea pigs are there?

The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA), which runs cavy shows in the US, recognises 13 breeds, and the MSD Vet Manual says there are at least 13. Clubs in the UK and Europe recognise a few extra, and pet keepers add hairless and crossbred guinea pigs, so you will see lists of anything from 13 to over 20.

The simplest way to understand them is by coat. Every breed is a combination of a few things: hair length, whether it lies flat or grows in rosettes, whether it is curly, whether there is a crest on the head, and whether the hair has a glossy satin sheen.

Are guinea pig breeds different species?

No. Every pet guinea pig, from a sleek American to a curly Texel, is the same species, Cavia porcellus. "Cavy" is the name breeders and clubs use, taken from that scientific name. Guinea pigs have wild relatives on the grassy plains of South America, but the MSD Vet Manual notes that the domestic guinea pig does not exist in the wild. So "different species of guinea pigs" really means different breeds, and they can all live together, breed together and understand each other.

All the guinea pig breeds, by coat type

These are the 13 ARBA breeds, grouped by coat, with the extra breeds you will meet in the UK and Europe. UK names are given where they differ.

Breeds recognised by some clubs outside the US, or kept mainly as pets, include:

Abyssinian cavy: the guinea pig with rosettes

The Abyssinian is one of the three most popular breeds, says VCA, and the easiest to spot. Its short, coarse coat grows in rosettes (whorls), so the hair sticks up in tufts and ridges all over the body. In a show Abyssinian the rosettes sit in an even pattern, but pet Abyssinians often have a few rosettes in random places, and crossbreeds with one or two swirls are very common.

Abyssinians are a good choice for first-time owners: the coat is short enough to need only a weekly brush and a check for hay caught in the rosettes. Owners often describe them as lively and bold, though as with every breed, personality varies far more between individuals than between breeds. The Abyssinian Satin has the same coat with a glossy sheen.

Short-haired, long-haired and curly guinea pigs: which is easiest?

Short coats are easiest by a long way. Humane World for Animals says short-haired guinea pigs need brushing about once a week, while long-haired breeds need grooming every day. The RSPCA adds that long fur mats easily and should be groomed daily.

Long coats are not just more work, they carry a real health risk. Long hair around the rear traps urine and droppings, and in warm weather that attracts flies. The RSPCA warns that flystrike is often fatal. PetMD gives long-haired guinea pigs an average of about 4 years, compared with 5 to 8 for guinea pigs overall, and we'd read that as a sign of what poor coat care costs rather than a fixed limit.

• Long-haired breeds: brush daily, trim the hair around the bottom short, check the rear twice a day in warm weather
• Curly breeds (Texel, Alpaca, Lunkarya): use a wide-toothed comb, work out tangles gently, and expect bedding to catch in the curls
• Short and rosetted breeds: brush weekly, pick out hay and bedding
• Every breed: check nails and front teeth weekly (RSPCA)

Hairless guinea pigs: Skinny pigs and Baldwins

Hairless guinea pigs are kept as pets and are not part of the ARBA show list, though both VCA and the MSD Vet Manual mention them. The Skinny pig has a little hair on its nose and feet; the Baldwin is born with a coat that falls out as it grows. PetMD gives hairless guinea pigs a lifespan of about 7 to 8 years on average.

Without fur, they lose heat faster and their skin is unprotected, so we'd reason they need a warmer, draught-free room, soft fleece rather than rough bedding, and no direct sun. The ideal room temperature for guinea pigs in general is 18 to 24°C (65 to 75°F), according to the MSD Vet Manual; keep a hairless guinea pig at the warmer end. Our guinea pig temperature guide covers how to keep them comfortable all year.

Large breed guinea pigs: is there a big breed?

Not among pet breeds. Every pet breed is roughly the same size. VCA gives adult males (boars) 900 to 1,200 g (2 to 2.6 lb) and females (sows) 700 to 900 g (1.5 to 2 lb); the MSD Vet Manual gives a length of 20 to 50 cm (8 to 19 in). A long coat makes a guinea pig look much bigger than it is. The very large guinea pigs that go round online are usually types raised on farms in South America, not breeds you will find from clubs or rescues.

Guinea pig colours and markings

Colour is separate from breed: almost any breed can come in almost any colour. The MSD Vet Manual lists black, tan, cream, brown, white and mixtures, and breeders name dozens of shades and patterns. The ones you will see most often:

Cross breed guinea pigs

Most pet guinea pigs are crossbreeds, and that is no bad thing. A crossbreed might have a smooth coat with one rosette, a half-long coat, or a mix of curls. Because all breeds are one species, a crossbreed needs exactly the same care as any other guinea pig, and its grooming depends only on the coat it ended up with. Rescues are full of them, often already in bonded pairs. Our guide to where to get a guinea pig explains how to find one.

How to choose a guinea pig breed

1. Be honest about grooming time. If you can't brush every day, choose a short, rosetted or Teddy coat.
2. Think about your room. A cool or draughty house is a poor fit for a hairless guinea pig.
3. Meet them first. Personality matters more than breed. Look for bright, alert guinea pigs that settle when stroked.
4. Plan for two. Mixing breeds is fine. The RSPCA's easiest pairs are two females, brothers raised together, or a neutered male with females. See our guide to guinea pig pairs.
5. Plan for the years. Whichever breed you choose, budget for 5 to 8 years of care. Our guinea pig lifespan guide explains each life stage.

Picked one? Our guinea pig name ideas might help, and our complete guinea pig care guide covers everything else.