Breeds & Fur Varieties

Guinea pigs have been around for a long time, their wild ancestors Cavia tschudii are native to the Andean mountain region.

Guinea pigs are believed to have been first domesticated around 5000 B.C. and were kept as both pets and bred for meat. Since then, guinea pigs have become beloved household pets all over the world, and through various selective breeding practices many new breeds, coat types and markings have been established.

Common Breeds

  • SHORT-HAIRED BREEDS

    American

    Short, smooth, glossy coat. Friendly, low-maintenance, and one of the most common breeds worldwide.

  • Abyssinian

    Abyssinian guinea pigs are one of the most popular household breeds – they are known for their messy hair do that sticks up in every direction, with multiple rosettes of fur over their body. Abyssinian guinea pigs have a reasonably low maintenance coat and are usually quite vocal and inquisitive guinea pigs, making them great pets.

  • Rex

    The Rex is the largest breed of guinea pig, weighing up to 1.4kg and growing up to a whopping 45cm in length! Their coat is generally quite short and low maintenance, with a wiry, fuzzy appearance and wool like texture. Rex guinea pigs lack guard hairs, so instead their hair stands up on its end to protect them against water and moisture.

  • Teddy

    Similar to Rex guinea pigs, but Teddy guinea pigs have a much softer coat that is reminiscent of a stuffed animal, hence their name. Their coat is dense and plush, but unlike the rex, it feels softer and is less prone to matting.


  • White Crested

    The white crested guinea pig is very similar to the American guinea pig, with a short smooth coat in a variety of colours. They are characterised by a single white crest (also known as a rosette) on the top of their head. 

  • LONG-HAIRED BREEDS

    Peruvian

    Peruvian guinea pigs have a very long coat, which when cared for correctly can grow up to 2 feet! They have smooth, straight fur which parts down the middle with 2 rosettes, one on top of their head and another over their rump, which can grow in any direction - even over their face! Peruvian guinea pigs are one of the highest maintenance guinea pigs and require a lot of time dedicated to grooming.

  • Silkie (Sheltie)

    Long, smooth hair that flows back from the face (doesn’t part). Known for their silky texture and sweet temperament, however does require a high level of maintenance and commitment to keep their coat healthy and luscious!

  • Texel

    Texel guinea pigs are a reasonably new breed, and is a cross between a Rex and Silkie guinea pig. They are known for their medium to long length wavy hair coat. Due to their hair length Texel guinea pigs are higher maintenance to care for and require regular grooming. The hair around their face is generally shorter than that of the rest of their body.

  • Coronet

    Coronet guinea pigs are a cross between a silkie and crested guinea pig. They have smooth long hair that requires regular grooming and maintenance, with a characteristic single rosette on top of their head. They also come in many colours and markings.

  • Sheba / Sheba Mini-Yak

    The Sheba, or otherwise affectionately known as the ‘Sheba Mini-Yak’ is a cross between an Abyssinian and Peruvian guinea pig – first bred in Australia! Although it is not an official breed yet, it is fast becoming a much loved pet with their wild ‘bed hair’. They have the most un-tamed hair of all guinea pig breeds as it is known to stick out in every direction, often with the Peruvian ‘quiff’ at the front. Sheba guinea pigs are deemed to be high maintenance as they do require regular grooming and trimming to avoid matting of their coat, or contamination around their bottom and back legs.

  • Lunkarya / Lunk

    A Swedish breed with a wild, dense, curly coat. Extremely fluffy with a “woolly” look. Less common outside of Europe.

  • HAIRLESS

    Skinny & Baldwin

    There are two main breeds of hairless guinea pigs, the Skinny and Baldwin. Unfortunately neither of these breeds are available in Australia. These breeds are characterised by being almost completely hairless, often bar a few hairs around their nose and feet. Their skin can be both pink, brown or black, in a variety of patterns.

Fur Colour Varieties

SELF

Solid colour all over the body.

Examples: Black, white, cream, chocolate, lilac, buff, beige.

AGOUTI

Each hair is banded with two colours (ticking effect), similar to wild rodents.

Colour varieties include Golden, Silver, Lemon, Chocolate, Cinnamon and Cream Agouti.

Fur has a speckled or salt-and-pepper look.

BRINDLE

A mix of two colours (often red and black) intermingled throughout the coat.

The colours are mixed, not in patches or patterns.

ROAN

Even mix of white and another colour throughout the body (not patched).

Often confused with brindle but white is the key difference.

⚠️ Breeding two Roans can result in lethal white offspring, which are often blind/deaf and suffer health issues.

DALMATIAN

White base with black or dark spots, similar to a Dalmatian dog.

Can also carry the lethal white gene like Roans.

HIMALAYAN

White or cream body with darker "points" on the nose, ears, and feet (black or brown).

Temperature-sensitive colouring; points get darker in cold weather!

TORTOISESHELL & WHITE

Bold patches of black, red, and white.

Eye-catching and commonly seen in pet and show guinea pigs.


DUTCH

Typically has a coloured body with a white blaze on the face and white on shoulders and legs.

⚠️ Lethal White Guinea Pigs ⚠️

Lethal whites are guinea pigs born with serious congenital issues — always white, often blind, deaf, and with dental or internal problems. They result from the pairing of two guinea pigs carrying the roan or dalmatian gene.

They are not to be confused with healthy pink-eyed white guinea pigs, which don’t carry these risks!

Despite their name, lethal whites are not dangerous — they’re often gentle and affectionate, but they do require special care and regular vet support.

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