Rare Guinea Pigs - a review from the .by portal

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Rare guinea pigs are divided into several varieties.

Skinny (bald guinea pigs)

These pigs were first introduced by Charles Rivers' laboratory in Canada in 1976.

The body of this species of guinea pigs does not cover the hair.

Previously, the skinny eyes were red, but after breeding, the white red-eyed variety was supplemented with various colors, and rare curly, hard hair like a mustache began to adorn the chin. The same hairs cover the lower part of the legs.

The skinny gene is recessive, that is, such a variety can be obtained only by crossing two hairless pigs. If you cross the skinny with a “woolen” congener, cubs with curly coarse hair and carriers of the hairless gene will be born.

Baldwin (bald guinea pigs)

From the skin they differ in the complete absence of wool. They have increased body temperature, a higher metabolic rate, and therefore, they eat more than their "woolen" relatives.

Swiss teddy

The breed, as the name implies, was bred in Switzerland in the 90s of the 20th century. However, they are not related to ordinary teddy. Swiss teddy is the result of a gene mutation, the standard has not yet been approved, since the breed is still being formed.

The wool of Swiss teddy is very hard, even breaks when rubbed, thick, so it stands on end. On the tummy, the hair is wavy. The length of the coat is the same throughout the body (about 6 cm).

The appearance of a Swiss teddy will remind you of a lump of fluff or wool.

Longhair teddy (Moscow texel)

The breed was first heard in Moscow at the end of the 20th century, which is reflected in the alternative name of the breed. The standard was not accepted: the breed has not yet been formed. If these guinea pigs participate in exhibitions, they are called "texels, but with reservations."

The body of long-haired teddy is covered with thick wool, reminiscent of texel wool, whose length is about 15 - 20 cm. Curls are soft to the touch, not thick. A shorter, needle-like coat covers the head. The hair on the nape bends and forms a long bang.