Guinea Pig Breeds: 13 Types and How They Differ

Updated 31 October 2026

Guinea pig breeds differ mainly in their coat: short and smooth (American), swirled with rosettes (Abyssinian), long (Peruvian, Silkie), curly (Texel), dense and plush (Teddy, Rex) or almost hairless (Skinny pig, Baldwin). Size, diet and lifespan are much the same across breeds, and most guinea pigs live around 5 to 8 years. The biggest practical difference is grooming: long-haired breeds need brushing every day, short-haired ones hardly at all.

Below you will find each breed in turn, a quick comparison table, and how care changes with the coat.

What all guinea pig breeds have in common

• Similar size. Adults usually weigh around 2 pounds, give or take, and males are often a little bigger. Size varies more between individuals than between breeds.
• The same diet. Unlimited fresh hay, a portion of fresh vegetables, plain guinea pig pellets and clean water. Guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C, so they need it from food every day.
• They need company. Guinea pigs are social and do best with at least one other guinea pig.
• Personality is individual. Some breeds have a reputation, but a calm Abyssinian or a bold Teddy is perfectly normal.

American

The American is the classic guinea pig, and the one most people picture. It has a short, smooth, glossy coat that lies flat, and comes in many colors and patterns. Americans are often described as easygoing and are a common first guinea pig.

Grooming: low. A gentle brush now and then, mostly when they shed.

Abyssinian

The Abyssinian guinea pig is easy to spot. Its coarse, medium-short coat grows in swirls called rosettes, which make the hair stick up in tufts and ridges. Show Abyssinians have rosettes in a set pattern, but pet Abyssinians are often charmingly messy. They have a reputation for being lively and curious.

Grooming: low to medium. A soft brush once a week or so keeps the coat clean and helps with loose hair.

Peruvian

The Peruvian has long, straight hair that grows all over the body, including forward over the face. Left untrimmed, the coat can grow very long and drag on the floor. Show Peruvians are kept long, but most pet owners keep the coat trimmed short so the guinea pig can see and stay clean.

Grooming: high. Daily brushing, regular trims, and extra attention around the rear end.

Silkie (Sheltie)

The Silkie, called the Sheltie in the UK, has long, soft hair that sweeps back from the head like a mane. Unlike the Peruvian, the hair does not fall over the face. Seen from above, the coat often forms a teardrop shape.

Grooming: high. Daily brushing and regular trims, especially at the back.

Teddy

The Teddy guinea pig has a short, dense coat that stands up from the body and feels springy and plush, a bit like a stuffed toy. The hair has a natural kink to it, which is what makes it stand up. Teddies are often described as friendly and calm, and they are popular family pets.

Grooming: low. An occasional brush. Their dense coat can pick up bits of bedding, so a quick check now and then helps.

Texel

The Texel has long hair in soft ringlet curls, swept back from the face like a Silkie’s. It is one of the most striking breeds and often seen at shows. The curls look lovely but tangle easily and trap hay and bedding.

Grooming: very high. Daily attention, gentle detangling with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, and regular trims. Many owners keep a pet Texel’s coat short.

Rex

The Rex guinea pig has a short, dense, wiry coat that stands up all over, and often curly whiskers. It looks very like a Teddy, and the two are often mixed up. The Rex coat tends to feel coarser and more woolly. The Rex is better known in the UK, while the Teddy is the recognized breed in the US.

Grooming: low. An occasional brush is plenty.

Coronet

The Coronet looks like a Silkie with a crown: long hair flowing back from the head, plus a single rosette on top of the head. The rosette is what sets it apart.

Grooming: high. Daily brushing and regular trims, like other long-haired breeds.

White-crested

The White-crested guinea pig has a short, smooth coat like an American, with one rosette on the forehead. In this breed the crest is white and stands out against a coat of another color. A similar type, often called the English Crested, has a crest that matches the rest of the coat.

Grooming: low.

Skinny pig

Skinny pigs are almost hairless, usually with a little hair on the nose, feet and legs. Their skin feels soft and warm. Without a coat they lose heat faster, so they need a warm indoor home away from drafts and direct sun, and they tend to eat a bit more to keep warm.

Care: no brushing, but their skin needs care. Soft bedding such as fleece helps protect it, and a vet can advise if the skin gets dry or sore.

Baldwin

The Baldwin is another hairless guinea pig, but it is born with a coat and loses it within the first weeks of life. Adults are usually completely bare, without the bits of hair a Skinny pig keeps. Baldwins are rare in the US.

Care: the same as a Skinny pig: a warm indoor home, soft bedding and protection from drafts and sun.

Lunkarya

The Lunkarya comes from Sweden and has a long, coarse, curly coat that can look wild and woolly. There are versions that mirror the Peruvian, Silkie and Coronet hair patterns. Lunkaryas are rare in the US.

Grooming: high. The coarse curls need regular care and trims.

Merino and Alpaca

These are curly long-haired types. The Merino has long curls and a rosette on the head, like a curly Coronet. The Alpaca has long curls that grow forward like a Peruvian’s. Names vary between clubs and countries, and neither is common in the US.

Grooming: very high, much like a Texel.

Guinea pig breeds compared

Satin versions of several breeds also exist. Their hair has a glossy sheen, but care is the same as for the regular coat.

How care differs by coat

Long-haired breeds

Peruvians, Silkies, Coronets, Texels, Lunkaryas, Merinos and Alpacas all need more time from you.

• Brush every day. A soft brush or wide-tooth comb, working gently from the head back. Short daily sessions are easier on both of you than a long one each week.
• Trim regularly. Most pet owners trim the coat so it clears the floor. Keep the hair around the rear short so it stays clean and dry.
• Pick bedding that does not tangle. Fleece liners or paper-based bedding catch in long hair less than wood shavings.
• Check for mats. Mats pull on the skin and hide dirt. Tease small ones out with your fingers, or snip them carefully with rounded scissors. A vet or experienced groomer can help with bad ones.
• Bathe only when needed. A bath now and then may help a long coat that gets dirty, using a shampoo made for small animals. Dry them fully and keep them warm afterward.

Short-haired breeds

Americans, Abyssinians, Teddies, Rexes and White-crested guinea pigs mostly look after their own coats. An occasional brush, especially when shedding, is enough. A regular quick check is still a good habit, because it is a chance to spot any lumps, sore skin or weight change early.

Hairless breeds

Skinny pigs and Baldwins need a warm, steady room temperature, no drafts, no direct sunlight, and soft bedding. Expect them to eat a little more than a furry guinea pig.

Every breed

• Unlimited hay, every day. It keeps their teeth and gut healthy.
• Vitamin C from fresh vegetables such as bell pepper, plus guinea pig pellets.
• Nail trims every few weeks, as nails do not wear down on their own indoors.
• At least one guinea pig friend, and plenty of space to run and hide.
• A vet who knows guinea pigs, for regular checks and anything that seems off.

Choosing a breed

If you are short on time, a short-haired guinea pig is the easier choice. If you love the look of a Peruvian or Texel, be honest about the daily brushing. Rescues often have guinea pigs of every type and can tell you about each one’s personality. Once you have chosen, our list of guinea pig names has ideas by coat and breed.

Questions about guinea pig breeds