Guinea pigs have long been popular pets. These cute rodents are easy to purchase at pet stores or at the Bird Market. However, the animals sold there are often outbred (crossbreeds), as they do not have any documents confirming their origin. Of course, this will not prevent the pig from becoming a pet, but if you plan to seriously breed these animals, then such a “breeding producer” can please you with an unpredictably diverse offspring. For breeding, purebred pigs with a known origin should be purchased. Today there are a number of guinea pig clubs that coordinate the activities of breeders and organize exhibitions. In these clubs you can buy young individuals of different breeds with pedigrees. The choice of breeds is quite large: from the already familiar smooth shorthair, Peruvian and Abyssinian, to a variety of rare and exotic ones (curly texels, crested cresteds, etc.). In general, today there are more than 80 breeds of guinea pigs, differing in structure, length and color of wool, and thanks to the work of breeders, more and more new ones appear. The most popular marine breeds will be discussed in this article.
There are various classifications of guinea pig breeds in the literature. One of the most common classifications is the division of guinea pigs into three large groups - long-haired, short-haired and rare. Modern breeders also use the following division into groups:
- English self (English Self) - guinea pigs of a solid color (solid color)
- Longhair (not Selfs) (Long Hair non Selfs) - (Sheltie, Peruvian, Coronet, Texel, Alpaca, Merino)
- Short-haired (woolen) (Сoated, non Selfs) - (agouti, American and English cresteds, Abyssinian, Rex, etc.).
- Rare Varieties are the so-called new breeds, which are still quite rare.
The range of colors in guinea pigs is also very diverse, they can be completely monochromatic (white, black, buff, red, chocolate), agut (natural color), variegated, two-tricolor, and even Dalmatians.
selfies
Selfies are one of the oldest representatives of the pig family. They were bred in Great Britain in the 19th century. A distinctive feature of selfies is a monochromatic (solid) coat color (white, black, brown, beige, lilac, etc.). The eyes are usually dark, but sometimes red. In the photo, a guinea pig of the English self breed.
One interesting feature of this breed was noticed: females living together in the same cage or aviary take care of their offspring by joint efforts, we can say that these are the only family rodents of their kind.
Abyssinian (rosette) guinea pigs
The Abyssinian breed is one of the most popular. Abyssinians first appeared in England in 1861 as a result of a wool gene mutation, and in 1866 the first individuals were brought to Europe.
A characteristic feature of the Abyssinian breed is a special growth of wool, which is why rosettes are formed (hair in rosettes diverge from the center to the periphery). Sockets must be of the correct form, have clear boundaries. The total number of sockets is 8-10, maximum 12. Their location is prescribed in the standard: 2 on the nose, 1-2 on the shoulders, 4 on the sides and 4 on the back of the body. In addition, they must be symmetrical. In some individuals, as a result of a mutation, the number of rosettes can reach 30 pieces - these are no longer considered thoroughbred. Nearby rosettes form tufts, or ridges. Any colors are possible. Wool in length reaches 3-4 cm, in females it is softer than in males. The body of the Abyssinian pigs is strong, muscular, moderately long. The shoulders and chest are wide, the back is straight, the back is rounded. Legs are straight and short. The head is short, rounded, with large ears, large shiny eyes and a slightly elongated nose (this is called Roman).
Pigs are distinguished by unpretentiousness and goodwill towards humans. In the vast majority of cases, Abyssinians get used to hands very quickly, get along well with children. Of the minuses, extraordinary gluttony can be noted, so the owner needs to be extremely attentive to the amount of food in his pet's bowl so as not to overfeed him. From immoderate food intake, pigs suffer from obesity and heart disease.
Peruvian guinea pigs
This is a rather old breed, known in Europe since the middle of the 19th century. In Peruvian pigs, the hair grows forward, towards the muzzle from two rosettes located on the sacrum, and falls over the eyes. Ideally, there should be only 2 sockets at the bottom. The length of the wool must be at least 15 cm, and for show-class Peruvians it can reach 50 cm.
Alpaca
Alpacas are very similar to Peruvian guinea pigs, but have a more wavy coat that also grows forward towards the muzzle. There are two outlets on the back.
sheltie
Shelties were recognized in England in 1973 and in the USA in 1980.
Long hair, which grows strictly in the direction from the muzzle down, is soft and silky. Unlike alpacas, Abyssinian and Peruvian guinea pigs, there is not a single rosette on the body. There are different colors.
Coronets
The same shelties, but on the crown there is a rosette similar to a crown.
Texels
Texel is one of the most beautiful breeds, known since the mid-80s of the last century. Texels are distinguished by long thick hair, breaking up into well-defined curls, a long train and fluffy sideburns. The length of the coat is 12-18 cm. The round muzzle is decorated with large expressive eyes. Texels are calm, friendly and sociable.
Looking at the photo of the Texel guinea pig, it seems that caring for such a luxurious coat requires special efforts. In reality, they do not need daily combing, and it does not take much time to select hay and sawdust from the wool. Animals that do not take part in exhibitions usually have their hair shortened.
Curly hair grows in the same way as the texel, only there is a rosette on the head.
Agouti
Agoutis are the ancestors of all modern breeds. Each hair of an animal has different shades at the base and at the end.
Roan
The head, paws, ears are painted in the main color without admixture of another shade, only on the body there is a so-called mixture of salt and pepper, when hairs of one color are mixed with hairs of another color.
Teddy
Teddies are similar to Rex, but their coat is slightly shorter and softer. Thick, dense and elastic, straight (or slightly wavy), the coat stands on end all over the body of the pig, it feels like plush to the touch.Pictured is a Gold and White American Teddy
Rex
The main difference between Rex guinea pigs is a hard, dense, slightly curly coat about 1.7 cm long. The hairs stand on end, which creates a plush effect. Color options can be any.
Ridgeback
A smooth-haired pig, however, there is a difference - there is a rosette on the sacrum, and on the back the hair is collected in a kind of comb of standing vertical hair.
Cresteds
Smooth-haired pigs with a rosette on the crown. There are English and American Cresteds. In Americans, the color of the rosette should contrast with the color of the main color, in English it should be identical to it.
Satin guinea pigs
A distinctive feature of the group of satin pigs is a surprisingly soft silky coat with a glossy effect. Wool shines and shimmers due to the special hollow structure of the hairs. The “Satin” coat type is found in all shorthair and longhair breeds. The most rare are animals of golden, lilac and buffalo color.
Himalayans
The main color of the entire body is pure white, only the ears, nose and paws are black or brown.
Kui
Giant guinea pigs are native to South America. At birth, they weigh 100 - 150 g, and adults can reach a weight of 3-4 kg. Kui owners note that their pets are not as trusting of humans as ordinary pigs, they are more cowardly, and females treat each other quite aggressively.
Galloway
A recently registered breed of pig. A characteristic feature is a solid coat with a white belt on the back.
skinny
These pigs of truly exotic appearance appeared as a result of a mutation in 1978 at the Institute of Montreal (Canada). They have no wool cover, only on the nose and on the paws there are sparse curly and hard hairs. Skinny skin is very soft and velvety. The most common color is chocolate, there are black, tortoiseshell, silver, purple, etc.
Skinnies have an excellent appetite, which is not surprising: they have a faster metabolism, as they need to conserve body heat. Therefore, they eat 3 times more than their counterparts covered with wool, sometimes they gnaw something all day long.
Due to their lack of hair, skinnies need slightly more care and attention than regular guinea pigs. The main thing that future owners of these cute and gentle creatures need to know is that skinnies need to be protected from drafts and always kept warm. If fasting days are only good for most animals, then for skinny to stay for two days without food is literally like death. At the same time, skinnies are prone to obesity, so the task of the owner is to carefully consider the diet, establish a diet and strictly adhere to it.
Baldwins
Unlike the Skinnies, which have tufts of hair on their paws and nose, the Baldwin is a completely hairless breed. Babies are born covered with hair, like ordinary pigs, but by the age of one month it completely falls out. Baldwins have extremely delicate skin, both cold and direct sunlight are dangerous for it.
Before a person who decides to get a guinea pig, and who has become acquainted with all the variety of breeds, a difficult question arises: how to choose “your breed” among all this diversity?
Surely, many people want to have a pig of a rare breed at home. So, bald guinea pigs are very much in demand and popular today. But here it must be borne in mind that these are more tender and sensitive animals, they are more demanding on care and conditions of detention. And the price for such exotics will be much higher than for pigs of less rare breeds. In addition, when purchasing a pig of a rare breed with a good pedigree, an additional responsibility is imposed on the owner: you need to join a club, take part in exhibitions, find the most suitable mating partner for your pet, etc.
Pigs of less rare breeds can be no less beautiful and affectionate pets. Short-haired guinea pigs are easier to care for, they have high immunity, which means they get sick much less often than pigs of other breeds. It is short-haired animals that are the best choice for a novice breeder. In addition, if you are purchasing a guinea pig for a child, it is best to choose such a pet. Caring for rosette pigs is also not very difficult, but they are somewhat more expensive. As for guinea pigs of long-haired breeds, they need more thorough hair care, which will require much more time.
In contact with
The smooth-haired Guinea pig has a short, even, dense, soft and shiny coat, consisting of fine silky hairs about 2.5 cm long. The coat covers the Guinea pig in an even layer with an inclination from the head to the back of the body.
Smooth-haired Guinea pig breeds are distinguished by coat color options, which can be divided into three groups:
- variants of Solid color (Self);
- variants of the Ticked color (Ticked);
- variants of the Marked color (Marked).
Crested Guinea pig - breed group Crested (Crested Guinea pig)
The Crested guinea pig has a characteristic rosette (tuft) on its head, while the rest of the body should be covered with soft, silky and short hair without rosettes. The tuft is a rosette in the shape of a regular circle, growing from a dotted center located in the middle of the forehead. The color of the outlet should be clean, bright and even. The requirements for the hair of the rest of the body are the same as for a smooth-haired guinea pig.
The American Crested guinea pig should have a white rosette with any other coat color, and in English Crested Guinea pigs, the rosette color matches the general color of the whole body.
Guinea pig Crested in Russia is often called Crested Guinea pig (Crested - crested, crested, decorated with a crest).
Satin Guinea pig - breed group Satin (Satin Guinea pig)
The Satin guinea pig has a satin coat with a satin sheen, which shines and shimmers thanks to the special hollow hair structure that reflects and refracts light. Wool with a satin sheen is found in all known breeds of Guinea pigs.
Ridgeback guinea pig (back Guinea pig)
The Ridgeback Guinea Pig is a short-haired and smooth-haired guinea pig with a straight comb of upright hair on its back that looks like a mountain range and runs along the entire spine. The smooth coat of the Ridgeback Guinea Pig is in stark contrast to the pronounced unbroken comb that consists of erect hair that runs from the ears to the hips. The height of the crest is about 2.5 cm; in females, as a rule, the crest is lower than in males. Ridgeback guinea pigs can have coats of any color and combination of colors. Selection work on breeding this breed was most actively carried out in the early 90s of the last century in Great Britain. In 2004, the Ridgeback guinea pig breed received its own BCC provisional standard for show competition. 
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is the only South African dog breed recognized by the FCI. The most noticeable pedigree trait is the "ridge" (ridge - crest, ridge) on the back - "back" (back - back), formed by hair growing in the direction opposite to the rest of the dog's coat. The ridge should be pronounced, symmetrical, starting just behind the withers and continuing to the croup, tapering towards the end, reaching the pelvic bones.
Wire-haired breeds of Guinea pigs (Rough Guinea pig)
Abyssinian rosette Guinea pig (Abyssinian Guinea pig)
The Abyssinian rosette guinea pig is one of the most ancient breeds of guinea pigs, known since the nineteenth century. The Abyssinian rosette guinea pig has rosettes formed into a circle, emanating from a dotted center and not merging. The sockets are placed as follows: 4 on the back, 4 on the back, and one socket on each shoulder. Some animals even have a rosette on their nose. Rosettes should be evenly distributed throughout the body and have clear boundaries. The total number of rosettes can vary from 10 to 12. The Abyssinian rosette Guinea pig has a comb, a collar around the shoulders and pronounced sideburns. The animal looks symmetrical and has an almost square body shape. The Abyssinian rosette Guinea pig has a coarse coat up to 3.5 cm long.
Guinea pig Rex (Rex Guinea pig)
A distinctive feature of the Rex Guinea pig breed is short, very dense, thick and curly hair 2.5 cm long. The Rex Guinea pig has curled whiskers.
For the first time, guinea pigs with this type of hair were described in 1919, but the breed was formed much later. All current livestock comes from a litter obtained in 1975 in England. The Rex Guinea pig has a longer and coarser coat than the Teddy pigs.
Guinea pig Teddy American (Teddy American Guinea pig)
The American Teddy guinea pig has a resilient, upright, plush coat that is soft to the touch. Unlike Rex Guinea pigs, the American Teddy has a shorter and less harsh coat. With a soft touch, the wool shows elasticity and returns to its original appearance.
Teddy guinea pigs were bred in Canada in the 1960s and, as the name suggests, these animals bear some resemblance to the popular American toy, the Teddy bear.
Two Russian immigrants Morris Michton and his wife Rosa decided to name a toy teddy bear after Theodore Roosevelt - "Teddy". Some time later, Michton received official permission from the White House to use the abbreviated name Theodore Roosevelt.
"I'm not entirely sure that using my name will bring success to the teddy bear industry, but if you insist, please, you can call it by my name" - Theodore Roosevelt, 1903.
Guinea pig Teddy Swiss (Teddy Swiss Guinea pig)
The Swiss Teddy guinea pig has a very hard, coarse, upright and elastic coat of the same length all over the body (about 6 cm). The Teddy Swiss guinea pig has curled whiskers and wavy fur on the belly. A very dense and upright coat gives the Swiss Teddy pig a fluffy look, the animal resembles a pile of fluff or a ball of wool. The Swiss Teddy breed was bred in Switzerland in the 1990s, which is reflected in its name.
Longhair Guinea pig breeds
Long-haired breed Guinea pig Alpaca (Alpaca Guinea pig)
The Alpaca guinea pig has a long, curly, thick, soft-touch coat and two closely spaced rosettes on its back. The Alpaca Guinea pig breed is considered the curly-haired counterpart of the Peruvian Guinea pig. The Alpaca Guinea Pig has curled whiskers and curly belly fur. The wool of the Guinea pig of the Alpaca breed forms a curtain of hair of equal length around the body with a parting along the spine. Alpaca guinea pigs can have coats of any color and combination of colors.
The alpaca is a domestic artiodactyl animal descended from the vicuña (vigoni). Bred in the highland belt of South America (Andes). It is valued primarily for its wool (24 natural shades), which has all the properties of sheep, but is much lighter in weight. Alpaca fibers are straighter than sheep's wool, not squeaky and extremely silky with a subtle sheen. These qualities are not found in any other type of fur.
Long-haired breed of Guinea pig Coronet (Coronet Guinea pig)
The Coronet guinea pig (coronet - crown) has a long, smooth coat and a rosette (crown) on the head, characteristic of the Crested breed. The Coronet guinea pig breed is a crested, long-haired guinea pig similar to the breed, but with a rosette on its head. The long, smooth coat of the Coronet Guinea pig is not parted and grows from the head back over the entire body of the animal. Coronet guinea pigs can have coats of any color and combination of colors.
Long-haired breed of Guinea pig Lunkaria (Lunkarya Guinea pig)
The Lunkaria guinea pig has a long, rough, curly coat with a rough texture that makes the pig look like a small sheep. The breed of Guinea pigs Lunkaria (Lunkarya) was bred in 1986 by sisters Monika and Annika Lundqvist from Stockholm (Sweden). The name of the breed "Lunkaria" connects the name of the discoverers of the breed "lunka" from Lundqvist and the appearance of animals "ria" - "carpet with a long pile" (Swedish), pronounced with an accent on "i". After bathing or combing, the Luncaria Guinea Pig's hair gathers back into tight curls, this is different from the Texel, Alpaca and Merino breeds. Guinea pigs of the Lunkaria breed can have coats of any color and combination of colors.
Merino Guinea pig long-haired breed
Merino guinea pig has a long, soft, curly coat of uniform density throughout the body and one rosette on the head, like the Coronet breed. The head of the Merino Guinea pig is covered with short hair, long hair starting on the cheeks and between the ears, then covering the whole body. The Merino Guinea Pig has curled whiskers and curly belly fur.
Merino - the wool of sheep united in the group "Merino breeds". Merino is a breed of fine-fleeced sheep, the largest population of which is found in Australia and New Zealand. Merinos differ from other breeds of sheep in the high quality of worsted (combed) wool. Ultra-fine (11.5-15 microns) Merino wool is suitable for blending with other fibers such as silk and cashmere. Merino wool is a very valuable yarn used exclusively in the manufacture of clothing.
Long-haired breed Guinea pig Peruvian (Peruvian Guinea pig)
The Peruvian Guinea pig has a very long, soft, straight and silky coat and long bangs hanging over the eyes, completely covering the muzzle. The body of the Peruvian Guinea pig is covered with thin, flowing hair up to 50 cm long, forming a kind of mantle around the animal and having a characteristic parting along the entire spine. On the back of the Peruvian Guinea pig there are two rosettes, parallel and close to each other, which set the growth of wool towards the head. The first Peruvian Guinea pigs were shown in Paris at the agricultural exhibition at the end of the 19th century. Peruvian Guinea pigs in Russia are sometimes called Angora (Angora).
Long-haired breed Guinea pig Texel (Texel Guinea pig)
The Texel guinea pig has a long curly coat, collected in curls and directed from the head to the sacrum. In the Guinea pig, Texel has an upright, short and ruffled coat covering the muzzle, while a longer curled coat begins between the ears and forms a kind of mane that goes to the end of the animal's body. The breed of Guinea pigs Texel is considered a curly analogue.
The Texel breed in agriculture is an easily recognizable, white-fronted breed of sheep without hair on the head and legs, with well-developed muscles and dense, thick wool. The meat and wool breed of Texel sheep was bred on the small island of Texel in the south of Holland. Now Texel is considered one of the best meat breeds of sheep and is famous for its high-quality wool. Texels are simply phenomenal adaptability to environmental conditions. They easily tolerate both extreme heat and severe frost.
Long-haired breed Guinea pig Sheltie / Silkie (Sheltie/Silkie Guinea pig)
The Sheltie (Silkie) guinea pig has a long, soft, silky, smooth and straight coat that grows from the head to the back of the body. In the Sheltie Guinea pig, the head is covered with smooth, short hair, long hair starts from the cheeks and ears, grows from the muzzle and forms a kind of mane, falling on the shoulders and back of the animal. The Sheltie guinea pig, also known as the Silky guinea pig, is one of the newest guinea pig breeds. Sheltie guinea pigs were bred in the early 70s of the XIX century, the first standard was developed in England (1973).
Merino: getting to know the breed
M Erino is an unusually beautiful, and, I’m not afraid of this word, chic breed. A truly royal animal - majestic and graceful at the same time. No wonder the head of the representatives of this breed is crowned with a crown - one of the breed signs and an attribute of a special charm.
When people first see the wool of merino guinea pigs, they ask in disbelief and surprise: “Do hairdressing salons really provide such services now?” Someone immediately associates with the wig of Louis XIV ... Someone says in bewilderment (noticing also the special shine of the wool): “Do you spray them with varnish?”
Merino curls are not only a feature of the breed, but also an object of admiration and pride for fans of curly pigs.
Merino is a breed of fine-fleeced sheep, the largest population of which is located in Australia. Merinos differ from other breeds of sheep in the high quality of worsted (combed) wool, consisting of thin (15-25 microns) soft fibers. (Wikipedia)
This breed of sheep with a special high-quality wool gave its name to the breed of curly guinea pigs.
Merino is a long-haired, curly crowned guinea pig. She has a short and broad head with well developed cheeks and thick whiskers.
Merinos have large, round and expressive eyes. Large, hanging, lying in a small wave (like a rose petal) ears. The crown should have a dotted center, be raised, symmetrical in shape. Due to the thickness of the wool, the crown forms a kind of cap, which gives extra volume to the merino head, compared to texel.
The build of the Merino should be strong, compact, with a broad chest and shoulders, a short, straight back and a rounded back.
Merino wool grows away from the head. The coat should be thick, resilient and soft, twisted into tight curls.
The merino curl can be small or large, but it is a curl that looks like hair styled with spiral curlers. That is, like “hair in a corkscrew”, vertical waving.
Merino are displayed combed on the central parting. The quality of the curl can be judged by the curlyness on the belly of the Merino.
Newborn babies of this breed will immediately show you "wet chemistry".
Merino lilac sable (ice-lilac) Violet Nelson / Violet Nelson(2 minutes after birth)
And two weeks old, they will really resemble meek lambs.
Merino lilac (lilac) Violet Taimyr / Violet Taimyr (2.5 weeks)
A combed adult merino becomes like a giant open down fan.
The summer heat forces many breeders and lovers to temporarily part with the luxurious hair of their pets. But even a sheared animal is extremely cute and pleasant to the touch. The silky and elastic texture of wool makes communication with merino unusually attractive.
There is a myth that it is difficult to keep pigs of this breed because of the need for special care for the coat. This is an erroneous opinion. For all its spectacular appearance, the Merino is one of the most undemanding long-haired breeds to care for. With the right content, the wool does not tangle and does not form tangles. To keep flirty spirals, merino is not combed, but only, as it gets dirty, pieces of hay or stuck sawdust are selected from the wool. But you can also comb it: after washing, the wool is again twisted into ringlets and, after drying, it twists again into curls. In preparation for the exhibition, wool is removed in special hairpins. So what your merino pet will look like is down to personal preference and taste.
By nature, adult representatives of the breed are usually balanced, calm and affectionate pigs. Well, kids, like all children, are curious, nimble and restless.
Giving preference to merino, we can say with confidence that this curly miracle, worthy of the royal court, can become an unforgettable spectacular decoration of any guinea pig exhibition, and a source of special pride for its owner, and a favorite of the whole family.
With texels, they are related by long wavy fur, and with coronets - a rosette-crown on the head.
Merino is a rare breed, in Russia you can find such pigs only in nurseries, but in a number of European countries, merino are quite popular as pets, firstly, due to their amazing appearance, and secondly, because of their wonderful character and excellent temperament .
From the history of merino
Merino is a so-called cross-breed, which appeared as a result of crossing the Texel and Coronet breeds. For the first time this breed appeared in the UK, and to this day it is in England that active work continues to improve the breed, and it is England that is the main habitat of these pigs. There, this breed is quite popular, which cannot be said about other countries.
Merino is not yet included in the list of officially recognized guinea pig breeds, and the standard for this breed has not yet been developed.
The main features of merino guinea pigs
Merino is a long-haired breed, with curly long hair and a rosette on the head between the ears. On the head, the hair is short, allowing you to see a pretty muzzle of a pig and beady eyes. Merino wool is quite soft and light.
Merino has a short and wide head, a characteristic "Roman" nose.
Merino can be any color. Various color combinations are allowed.
The average weight is about 1 kg. Males are usually heavier than females.
The average lifespan is 5-6 years, which is less than some other guinea pig breeds. For example, American pigs live 8-10 years.
Merino Guinea Pig Care
Like other guinea pigs, merinos are not demanding in terms of care. For a long and happy life, they need very little - a spacious large cage, proper diet, 3 meals a day and your love and care, of course.
The cage for guinea pigs should be really spacious, with good ventilation. Guinea pigs spend most of their lives in a cage, and since they are quite active animals, they need a place where they can walk, run, jump and engage in other physical activities. Otherwise, the pig may face obesity and other health problems. The recommended cage area is 0.6 square meters, which corresponds to a cage size of 100x60 cm.
Merino are the same absolute vegetarians as other guinea pigs. A variety of vegetables, fruits, fresh grass and/or hay, kibble (dry food) and clean water at all times are all your guinea pig's diet should include.
Hair care for merino pigs
So, merino, like other representatives of long-haired breeds, require increased attention to their luxurious fur coat.
There are two ways: to cut or not to cut the hair of a merino pig. The first option is suitable for those breeders who keep a merino as a pet. In this case, regular trimming to a comfortable length will make life easier for both you and your guinea pig.
If you and your pig are participating or planning to participate in exhibitions and demonstrate a chic long fur coat, then you will have to figure out how to protect it from debris. Usually breeders use special hairpins for this, twisting long curls in them.
The coat of guinea pigs grows constantly, on average by 2-2.5 cm per month, so if you decide not to cut your pet, then you will need to ensure that the pig stays comfortable in the cage. Long hair must be pulled up, otherwise, dragging on the floor, they will collect garbage, hay and excrement. In addition, the structure of merino wool is such that it absorbs urine very well, so the hair around the anus must be trimmed regularly.
You can use regular scissors or hairdressing scissors to cut hair, but the most effective way is with electric scissors.
You can buy a special brush at the pet store to clean the fur, but a toothbrush is also fine.
Another tip is to run your fingers through the pig's fur from time to time to find tangles and untangle them. Many pigs are very fond of this procedure.
As for bathing, experts generally do not recommend bathing guinea pigs, but an exception is made for long-haired breeds. For a merino, bathing once a month is sufficient. If you need to use shampoo, then choose only specialized products in the pet store. Don't wash your pig with your shampoo!
The nature of merino guinea pigs
Many breeders and merino lovers unanimously claim that these pigs have a wonderful character. They are very friendly, obedient, they have a calm temperament, they love people.
In addition, Merinos are very smart guinea pigs, they really have one of the highest IQs in the guinea pig world. They are more trainable than other breeds. In addition, they need to explore the world around them and they will be very happy with any additional toys and entertainment in the cage.
Speaking of the breed of Merino guinea pigs, it should be said that this is a special separate species, which got its name in honor of the breed of Australian sheep. In order to understand how their wool differs from, for example, alpacas or texels, one should touch the unshorn sheep's fleece. Here you will understand that only royal animals can have such a fur coat: soft, fluffy, dense in texture, elastic curls, thick. It is these soft fibers that Australian Merino sheep have.
Genus: Cavia.
Story
This fluffy wonderful creature is the creation of English breeders who crossed Coronet and Texel. That's why these pigs have a distinctive crown on their heads. And, as we know, not every type of piglet is honored to wear it.
For a long time, British scientists argued that it was impossible to cross this breed with each other, since not only the gene composition, but also the appearance of the pigs deteriorated. However, Merino breeders soon proved that this was another myth. Since then, intensive work has begun on breeding these animals.
Range and habitat
All countries where there are lovers of curly guinea pigs. That is, in other words, merino can often be found in European countries and in Russia.
Description
So, merino is distinguished by beautiful fluffy curly hair, as well as the presence of a small crown on its head. The head is short and broad, the cheeks are well developed and thick whiskers are visible. These fluffies have large, well-defined eyes, which makes them even more attractive. The ears hang down like rose petals.
The physique is strong, stocky, straight back, broad shoulders, round croup. The coat is thick, soft, curly, growing regularly: from the head to the back of the body, evenly covering all parts.
When buying, pay special attention to curls. In merino, they can be small and large, but they always look like curls, laid with special spiral curlers.
Lifestyle
These little fluffy sheep are a real miracle. At the same time, they are calm, affectionate and a little phlegmatic. If they are not taught to walk, run and play with toys from childhood, then the merino will grow up to be a lazy person. Will sleep a lot and eat a lot. And this, as we understand it, is not entirely beneficial for the animal.
Many people do not want to buy fluffy guinea pigs because of the need to constantly brush them. However, things are different with Merino. The fact is that experts do not recommend combing their curls, as they lose their shape. If you properly care for the fur of the animal, cut it in time, then it does not form lumps and the curls do not get confused. Combing fluffies is recommended only after heavy pollution and bathing.
In the summer, merino should be trimmed. However, their appearance does not suffer from this in any way, but on the contrary, sheared pigs are very beautiful and soft to the touch.
It is also important to remember that guinea pigs need to be active every day. If you do not have the opportunity to walk with them, leave toys in the cage. Timely cleaning of the cage is the key to the health and beauty of your furry animal.
Nutrition
When it comes to nutrition, there is nothing special about the Merino. They also need plenty of grass and hay. Cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, pumpkin, apples, melons can be given as succulent feed. Do not forget about vitamin C, its daily intake per individual is 20 milligrams.
Breeding and reproduction
Today, there is still a rule that prohibits crossing representatives of the Merino breed with each other.
Note
Merino, breeders say, is the most mysterious breed of guinea pigs. Perhaps this is the reason for their considerable cost. However, every year there are more and more lovers of these pussies, and even the price does not bother many. If you also already fell in love with this breed, then think about the desired color. Merinos come in a wide variety of colors.
