abyssinian guinea pig
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All About The Abyssinian
The Abyssinian guinea pig, or “Aby” as it is frequently called, is one of the oldest and most common guinea pig breeds. At first glance the Aby appears to be suffering from a serious case of bad hair day. Actually, this breed is known for having a coat covered in “rosettes” which look very much like swirly cowlicks. It is the rosettes which cause the Abyssinian’s hair to stand up all over – not a lack of grooming as this is a prized trait. The Abyssinian is only defined by their coat texture, not the color or colors of their coat, which can be varied. In general guinea pigs do not differ in personality that much from breed to breed, but the Abyssinian is rumored to be mischievous, on top of being loving and fairly trainable. The sweet and gentle personality makes it a great pet for those who are not unwilling to spend a little extra time grooming their cute and crazy hair (although not nearly as much time as a longer haired guinea pig like a Silkie or Peruvian.) If you are a family with young children and you are not sure how much time you can devote to grooming, consider getting a smooth short haired American guinea pig instead.
The “Perfect” Abyssinian Guinea Pig
All Abyssinians are perfect just as they are – of course! However, if you want to show a guinea pig there are certain breed standards to be aware of. First of all, each rosette must be clearly defined (meaning the outside edges are obvious) and have a single center. The perfect number of rosettes is one or two per shoulder, four across the bottom and four on the sides. The point where the outside edges of rosettes come together is called a ridge. Ideally ridges should flow in a straight line down and across the body. Lastly, no part of the Abyssinian’s coat should lie flat or smooth. Oh and he or she should have a cute little “mustache!”
Many people who show Abyssinians find the coat texture varies according to the color of the coat. Single colored animals tend to have softer coats which lack that desired textured look. Roans, Brindles, and Tortoiseshell seem to have more of the “ideal” look. Mind you this is just a standard for show and in no way implies Abyssinians are too rough to pet or do not make good lap pets. When prepping your guinea pig for a show avoid a bath or anything else that will cause the fur to lie flat.
Where Can I Find an Abyssinian Guinea Pig?
If you have your heart set on picking up an Abyssinian – do not despair – you can find many pure bred guinea pigs available for adoption at your local rescue or animal shelter. That’s right, you do not need to visit a breeder unless you are looking specifically for a show animal. Many perfectly good guinea pigs, including purebreds, are surrendered to shelters every year simply because their families are unable to keep them for a variety of reasons.
Abyssinian Guinea Pig Breeders
Remember, when looking for a great breeder – check to make sure he or she does not keep very many guinea pigs at one time. More than fifty guinea pigs is frequently a good sign that you have run into a mill or commercial breeder. Instead look for someone who keeps their animals in good condition and as “part of the family.” Also look for someone who is choosy about who they will sell their guinea pigs to. You don’t want to work with someone who is desperate to find owners. Finally, an offer of a “lifetime guarantee” to take back the guinea pig should you not be able to keep them for whatever reason is also a great sign.
Highland Cavies of the Yellow Rose
Pictures of Abyssinians
Photo by bivoir – away for a while
Photo by Just chaos
