Where can I find all breeds of Guinea pigs?
- Thread starter Talin
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KathT
Forum Donator 2024/25
Rescues usually ha e a variety of pigs looking for homes. I’d try there.
I agree with @KathT
Check out if there are any rescues near to you and contact them about what they have avaiable for adoption.
Personally I always wanted a silver agouti (which technically is a colour not a breed) but I will be honest and say that in the end looks don't really matter.
I have never had a silver agouti pig, but I love all the pigs I have had with my whole heart.
No matter what their colour or breed they are all gorgeous little creatures with their own quirks and personality, which is by far the most important thing.
Check out if there are any rescues near to you and contact them about what they have avaiable for adoption.
Personally I always wanted a silver agouti (which technically is a colour not a breed) but I will be honest and say that in the end looks don't really matter.
I have never had a silver agouti pig, but I love all the pigs I have had with my whole heart.
No matter what their colour or breed they are all gorgeous little creatures with their own quirks and personality, which is by far the most important thing.
Claire W
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I agree that rescues often have a big selection of piggies looking for homes.
I have a thing for agoutis. I’ve had two agoutis in the past but I didn’t choose them, they chose me but I have loved all my piggies the same despite their breed and colour.
When you are doing your search, please look at the ones who are overlooked. White ones, those with red / pink eyes and long fur. At the end of the day, all piggies deserve a loving home despite their looks
I have a thing for agoutis. I’ve had two agoutis in the past but I didn’t choose them, they chose me but I have loved all my piggies the same despite their breed and colour.
When you are doing your search, please look at the ones who are overlooked. White ones, those with red / pink eyes and long fur. At the end of the day, all piggies deserve a loving home despite their looks
KathT
Forum Donator 2024/25
I too have a thing about agoutis and did have one until he crossed the rainbow bridge earlier this year. But I have many different sorts - abys, long haired, wire haired, smooth haired and it doesn’t matter, they are all beautiful in my eyes and I love them all! I would love another agouti or two though if the chance arose!
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
Merab
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Definitely a rescue if there’s one near you.
I have 4 piggies- a teddy who is the cutest girl, a smooth haired Dutch, a crazy fur with attitude and a little Abyssinian.
They all have their own characters and are fascinating creatures. I must admit that I have s soft spot for teddies though
I have 4 piggies- a teddy who is the cutest girl, a smooth haired Dutch, a crazy fur with attitude and a little Abyssinian.
They all have their own characters and are fascinating creatures. I must admit that I have s soft spot for teddies though
I love any rodent with white fur and red eyes but sasdy my mom thinks they're evil. She's very superstitious haha
Freela
Senior Guinea Pig
I'm not sure where you're located. If you're in North America (my best guess because of the store names), most guinea pigs are mixed breeds. I've had a couple sheltie crosses, a short-haired pig, and an abyssinian. Most guinea pigs aren't a specific breed and it can be tricky to find less common breeds like Peruvians. Honestly, besides appearance, pigs are pigs... look into rescues if possible, where you just might find a long-haired pig whose owners got tired of the grooming, but at least you know you will be giving a pig who needs it a home. Check out the pigs, you may end up finding that one you never expected feels like the right fit. Funny story, when I got our original pair of pigs, I picked one out right away but then was having trouble picking the second one. Finally (I think to get rid of me!) the shop pushed one at me and basically said, "What about this one? She's cute?" And she wasn't necessarily the one I liked best but I took her home. And honestly, she was the BEST pig I've ever had. Ever. I'm so glad that she got foisted onto me! Likewise, my mantra the last time we brought home a pig was "No more white pigs." Sundae, the pig we had before her, was mainly white and her hair showed up EVERYWHERE. And it was noticeable because it was white. So I didn't want to be pulling white hairs off everything again. The darker pigs' fur didn't stand out so much. This was my sole criteria going in. And of course, I ended up coming home with another mostly white pig because I fell in love with her and she felt like the right pig. So go in openminded, you will find the right one and think they're perfect!
