Guinea Pig: Peruvian

Origins: All domestic guinea pigs originated in South America from wild cavies, but were selectively bred to exhibit different coat characteristics and looks. The Peruvian is a well-known breed, and one of the earliest long-haired varieties to be recognized and accepted by the America Rabbit Breeders Association (show-quality guinea pigs and rabbits are judged by the same body, and often appear at the same shows.)

Physical Appearance: Peruvian guinea pigs have long, dense, silky hair that parts in the middle. It reaches to the ground and falls over the face, so much so that if you don’t look carefully, it’s hard to tell which end of the animal is its head and which its rump! When a show-quality Peruvian’s coat is all nicely brushed out, it can form a perfect circle or oval viewed from the top.

Characteristics: Generally calm and friendly.

Colors: Many colors and markings.

Special Facts about Guinea Pig: If you are keeping a Peruvian strictly as a pet, and not for guinea pig shows, it is best to trim its coat to a manageable length so that the poor guinea pig doesn’t have so much trouble eating, drinking, and moving around, or coping with knotting, tangling, and matting. When Peruvians are stressed or upset, they may bite, tear at or eat their own or their cage-mate’s hair, ruining it and hurting the skin. So to keep pet guinea pigs, shorter coat is normally better.