I went to petsmart and petco and found guinea pigs but they're the common ones, nothing wrong with them but I'd like to see some peruvians or teddys etc.. Where do you find your guinea pigs?
Hi and welcome
Mine are all rescue adoptees - inlcuding the teddy and the peru baby in my avatar picture! You'd be amazed at the range of piggies that fetch up in rescues!
The advantage of going to the trouble of adopting from a good standard rescue with mandatory quarantine and vet care that is ensuring that any new home is compatible with or ideally surpassing minimal welfare standards is that you will only bring home healthy piggies that are guaranteed not pregnant and that have been bonded for character compability and not chosen for their looks, which goes a long way to prevent fall-outs and trouble later on with either gender. and you will always have the rescue to fall back on if you run into major trouble. You can neatly avoid all the pitfalls that await the unwary.
Recommended and vetted UK rescues:
Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues
Recommended and vetted rescues in some other countries:
Guinea Lynx :: Rescue Organizations
Since anybody can call themselves a breeder or a rescue without licensing or supervision, results can be accordingly. We can vouch only for the listed rescues.
Personally, I would choose my piggies less for looks and rather for personality. The showy ones are often not the easiest characters in my experience. I treasure my less showy special characters much more than my skittish divas although I love them all, of course. But they bring me very different joys.
If you want a snuggly piggy, you do not necessarily find them amongst showy ex-breeder piggies. At least a rescue knows the personalities of their piggies and can match you up with the ones that suit you and your level of experience best.
Please also be aware that special breeds can come with hidden genetic issues - teddies for instance often suffer from skin problems; long-haired piggies need a lot more grooming (and will generally not love you for a round of 'peru wrestling', i.e. a haircut); roans/dalmations and satins carry faulty genes that are connected to uncurable illnesses/genetic conditions etc.
Most of us have preferences, often rooting in happy memories. I love abys for their 'abytude', perus because they come with precious childhood memories (and the diva behaviour although it has made for plenty of sleepless nights) and teddies for their often grumpy personalities... and I have a weekness for ginger and whites in whichever breed! But I also wouldn't want to be with my ruby-eyed white or lilac piggies, all my down-to-earth cresteds or shelties that keep a group running and any divas in check.
Or all the cross-breeds with their unexpected surprises and unique looks! Most of my adopted piggies come here because of their backgrounds and not their looks but I still end up with a very varied mix and some real beauties. If you want a snuggle monster, then opt for a plain red-eyed white...
You also have to keep in mind that guinea pigs are cute babies just for a few weeks, rambunctious teenagers for a few months and settled adults for the rest of their 5-7 years average life span. But they will need your love, commitment and good care just the same throughout their whole life.
You may find the information in the guides below very helpful when doing your research. Pet ownership is a long term commitment well past the initial excitement. Please also be aware that guinea pigs are prey animals and not naturally born living cuddly toys. They are a social ground roaming group species with their very own species needs (companionship and lots of space) and their own expectations of you.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...ig-picture-guide-to-common-pet-breeds.121399/
What to be aware of when getting piggies from other places than a good standard rescue:
What to check and look out for in new guinea pigs (vet checks, sexing, parasites&illness)
Boars, sows or mixed pairs; babies or adults?
Companionship
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs
Are Guinea Pigs For Me? - A Guide
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides