Breed identification help - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Dalejrgurl04** · #1 01-11-07, 06:43 pm

Hi well I got my guinea pig "Buddy" a while ago and I got him from a pet store and I was wondering if anyone here could help me figure out what breed he is. I have looked at many different pictures to help me but none look exactly like him and I am considering showing him in show at a local fair within the next year only problem is I dont know his breed so if any of you can help me I grately appreciate it. Thank-you all.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...4/100_3543.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...4/100_3542.jpg

**standuprookie** · #2 01-11-07, 06:46 pm

Please don't show, showing is directly linked to breeding. Also alot of diesases, mites, ect. are spread at shows.

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #3 01-11-07, 06:59 pm

1. Your photo is way too big.

2. Agree with the above. Showing is a waste of time, stressful for the pig and supports breeders.

3. If you got him from a pet store, he isn't show quality, like it matters - and he may be ill.

4. He looks like a mix, with some Silkie in him. Depends if his hair will grow out or not.

**Dalejrgurl04** · #4 01-11-07, 07:06 pm

I was just considering the option of showing because I love him and wanted to show him off to others but I was only considering it and I just read the rules for the show and it says he would need an ear tag or tattoo and it also says I would have to hand him over to the fair prior to the show which I've now decided against doing because I dont want to do anything like that to his ears and would never want him to be in the care of someone else. But I still would like to know what breed he is so that I know.

**Dalejrgurl04** · #5 01-11-07, 07:12 pm

sorry about the pics I didnt know they would show up that big I will remove them and resize them.
and please dont attack me it was just something I was considering and now have changed my mind. Also I have had him for over a year and his hair has never grown that much longer except around his rear which I trim to keep it from being pee'd on. Also he is not sick I took him to the vet 3 weeks ago for his check up and he is perfectly healthy.

**standuprookie** · #6 01-11-07, 07:18 pm

Pet stores keep there animals in horrible conditions and are normally sick. This is an Anti-breeding and
Anti-showing, Nobody "attacked you", I'd hate to see what you thought if you ever got in a debate, if you would like to show off your pig you can
A) Post pics on the web, or
B) find a pignic in your area.

**fairysari** · #7 01-11-07, 07:20 pm

I'm glad you are reconsidering showing. it is really in the best interest of the pigs not to show. if you are looking to meet other cavy owners and show off your pig, maybe you could find a pignic in your area. Here is a list of some: Pignic Central

Your pig looks like his fur is the same length as my girl Maci's. I think we decided she was some sort of American/Silkie cross. Her hair is straight, and longer than an American, but not nearly as long as a Silkie or Peruvian.

**this_lil_piggy** · #8 01-12-07, 12:09 am

No attack from here. I appreciate you reconsidering showing. Ear tags, and tatoo's are only the surface of what these people do to their animals, and the kind of things they support.
I am glad you love your animal enough to recognize a bad thing when you see it, and make a choice based on their wellbeing.

I don't really know much about breeds, but cute piggy.

**fourbwabbys** · #9 01-12-07, 01:20 pm

He looks like my Eddie, he's an American/Silkie mix. I'm glad you decided not to show. Even if you did, he's a mix, so probably wouldn't score very high. He is a cutie though!

**Dalejrgurl04** · #10 01-12-07, 06:21 pm

I apologize for saying that about being attacked I just was tired and felt like i was being told I was being bad in even mentioning showing, I am still learning about guinea pigs. Since some of you also mentioned how bad pet stores are I was wondering where you all got your gp's?

Thank-you for the information on the breed.

**fourbwabbys** · #11 01-12-07, 06:22 pm

We adopt our pigs from shelters. Where are you located? In the US, Petfinder.com: Adopt a pet and help an animal shelter rescue a puppy or kitten. is a great site.

**Slave to the Wheek** · #12 01-12-07, 07:30 pm

Or we get them from rescues or from owners surrending them on craigslist etc. Many of us got our first pig at a pet store and then when we hit the internet we found out what a mistake that was. That includes me!

I would NEVER have spent money at a store that sold dogs and cats because I knew about puppy mills. Yet...I do-si-do'd right over to a pet store and picked out a pig like it was a head o' lettuce. Ouch! Actually, to be fair, I had zero knowledge that shelters had them since most shelters don't exactly advertise that they take them in. Most in fact don't. They simply put them down as soon as they are surrendered.

I admit it, I never thought about it. That's what the problem is....very few people do! So, I can't get mad at anyone for doing what I did. When you know better, you do better -as Oprah likes to say.

Cavy Spirit, Guinea Lynx and GPC (this site) is changing the way the world sees cavies and have truly increased the awareness so much that shelters are even posting guinea pigs on the web. There are so many pigs waiting to go to a home it's very sad.

Here is some information you'll want to read to educate yourself on pet stores:
http://www.cavyspirit.com/petstores.htm
Little Shops of Sorrows: API's Pet Shop Campaign and Undercover Investigation
abc7news.com: Undercover Video Shows Animal Suffering
Action Alerts - Widespread Animal Suffering Exposed in Retail Pet Stores