Question about the right type of breeding.

**x0PiggyPerson0x** · #1 03-06-07, 04:09 pm

Now I know this forum is pro-rescue, which I fully support. When I first got my girls, I had no idea about how pet stores were so bad, but now that I do I could never buy an animal from there and maintain a healthy conscience. However, I do have a question about arguments people make who support breeding. A lot of people say guinea pigs would go extinct if they weren't sold at pet stores, as if that is the only place to find them. While I know this is untrue, I find myself wondering what sort of breeding is actually condoned, if any.

(I posted in the Kitchen just in case things got heated, but hopefully this will remain calm.)

**sweetjay6891** · #2 03-06-07, 04:24 pm

I have a question like that too. What about the Skinny and Baldwins breed? Don't we need good breeders for them that care about their health and stuff? You don't see those breeds in every shelter.

**Ly&Pigs** · #3 03-06-07, 04:26 pm

Breeding that would better the genetics of pigs. By genetics I don't mean for looks, but for health of the animal. To make them a much healthier breed. I don't think there are many breeders who do this.

**sweetjay6891** · #4 03-06-07, 04:54 pm

I have been searching for a young male Skinny guinea pig but their are no Skinnys' for adoption anywhere and I don't want to get one from a petstore. I'm at the point of confusion. I have a great breeder kind of near - would be a last resort. What should I do? Im being a

Sorry about that.

**x0PiggyPerson0x** · #5 03-06-07, 05:00 pm

That's alright Sweetjay, and thank you for the answer Ly.

**Susan9608** · #6 03-06-07, 05:11 pm

Skinnys and Baldwins have increased problems; I don't think it would be a tragedy if those particular breeds became extinct. To continue to breed them is simply selfish.

I am of the opinion that no one *needs* a skinny or baldwin or any particular breed of animal. Sure you may have preferences, but at the end of the day, what difference does it really make? If there are no animals of the particular breed you desire available for adoption, then I'd say you have 2 choices - you can either resign yourself to NOT having that breed of animal or you can wait. Going to a so-called "great" breeder as a "last resort" is never an option. At least, it's not an option for a true animal advocate.

Personally, I think it's misleading and pointless to discuss "good" breeding in the face of a huge overpopulation crisis. Why discuss a hypothetical situation about breeding instead of focusing your efforts on trying to end the overpopulation problem?

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #7 03-06-07, 05:18 pm

Why would you want a skinny? They were created with weak immune systems and they are more suspectible to diseases like ringworm. No one needs to be breeding skinnies or baldwins at all.

Someone on here was rehoming their skinny recently. I've seen several others rehoming their skinnies in the area. I have seen them in the shelters up North and there was a Baldwin in a shelter last year.

No reputable breeder breeds these poor creatures. Great breeder is an oxymoron. Would you rather they keep breeding until they are overpopulated?

The rescues here don't put up their skinnies for adoption due to their special care.

If you really want a skinny, read up at guinealynx. Do a search on skinnies, cancer and melanoma.

**smartorl** · #8 03-06-07, 05:59 pm

My personal beliefs of skinny and baldwin pigs is that they are a genetic mutation, or birth defect that occurs in all animals, including humans to some extent. Is a genetic anamoly something that should be preserved and called a breed, I don't think so. Just because something is born with a defect doesn't mean that the defect needs to be isolated and reproduced just because it is cute. I know I will take heat for making this comparison but would you try to isolate and reproduce a "breed" of people with Down's Syndrome?

**Slave to the Wheek** · #9 03-06-07, 06:12 pm

Sadly, guinea pig breeders are all uneducated and have no idea what they are doing. It's a very sad tale in my view. They do not breed to improve the animal. They breed for color and coat. That is WRONG and VERY bad animal husbandry. It's what is killing many dog breeds today.

I would see this mythological GOOD breeder as one who at minimum:

-neutered/spayed animals they are not personally breeding themselves
-had a high level animal husbandry education
-bred animals based on tameness, longevity, and health
-kept decades long records of animals personal files and health files

One would be lucky to find a single breeder in all of the world who met these these simple critieria -unfortunately. If someone know of a person who does meet them please PLEASE e-mail me. I'd like to talk to them.

There are animals bred for research that are tightly monitored, but I'm afraid tameness and longevity are not on their list of traits. More like lack of hair, so they can test shampoo and skin lotions on them. Or having a certain gene marker etc.

**piggly wiggly** · #10 03-06-07, 06:14 pm

Rabbitsncavyluv, if they don't adopt them out what do they do with them? Put them to sleep?.My skinny is not extra work, he eats and poops more, but that's about it. Maybe they are more prone to certain things, but so what, they need love too. Some of these threads make it sound like they need 24 our nursing care, and not worth it. I would have another skinny in a second. Maybe it's just mine (and I doubt it) but I find skinnies very sweet and cuddly. I am always drawn to misfits anyway, my cat is hairless too, and the only extra care she needs is a bath every two weeks.

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #11 03-06-07, 06:40 pm

I didn't say they weren't worth it. The ones that exist today need special care. They shouldn't be breed anymore or kept around as a novelty pet.

Rescues don't euthanize guinea pigs. They are kept in our sanctuary and we raise funds to continue caring for them. I know of several rescuers that have skinnies and keep them as such.

They are not adopted out due to their frailty and continual advertisement as novelty pets.

But I have seen people rehoming their skinnies on craigs list and other places.

I don't know what you mean by cuddly, hairy pigs are just as cuddly. Most skinnies don't like being touched on their bare skin and they DO need special care.

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #12 03-06-07, 06:55 pm

If you can find one to adopt (and there are many skinnies popping up in Canadian shelters), that's one thing but I don't see why anyone needs to go looking to a breeder.

I have to reiterate that no reputable breeder breeds skinnies and baldwins. Aren't they not even truly recognized as a breed by ACBA or whatever?

They are more prone to certain diseases and due to their weak immune sytems, when they get sick, it is harder to treat them, more costly and painful for them. Why do we need purposely bred animals with weak immune systems?

**sweetjay6891** · #13 03-06-07, 07:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabbitsncavyluv

If you can find one to adopt (and there are many skinnies popping up in Canadian shelters), that's one thing but I don't see why anyone needs to go looking to a breeder.

I have to reiterate that no reputable breeder breeds skinnies and baldwins. Aren't they not even truly recognized as a breed by ACBA or whatever?

They are more prone to certain diseases and due to their weak immune sytems, when they get sick, it is harder to treat them, more costly and painful for them. Why do we need purposely bred animals with weak immune systems?

I find that a rumor. Every person that I have talked to that has Skinny's state that they are equally strong as any other guinea pig. I don't belive that they should become extinct. Just like dogs, I rescue Beagles and would certainly not buy one from a breeder because their are thousands in shelters but a dog like Polish Owczarek Podhalanski you would need a breeder to get one. You need breeders for rare breeds somtimes.

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #14 03-06-07, 07:44 pm

Are the people you talk to breeders? What else would they say?

Have you asked on guinealynx? And read the threads about people's skinnies? The ones with cancer, melomona, heart issues and more? The ones that have recurring abscesses that won't go away?

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #15 03-06-07, 07:52 pm

Manx cats are a genetic defect. Most of the kittens have[FONT=Arial] spinalbifida.[/FONT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartorl

My personal beliefs of skinny and baldwin pigs is that they are a genetic mutation, or birth defect that occurs in all animals, including humans to some extent. Is a genetic anamoly something that should be preserved and called a breed, I don't think so. Just because something is born with a defect doesn't mean that the defect needs to be isolated and reproduced just because it is cute. I know I will take heat for making this comparison but would you try to isolate and reproduce a "breed" of people with Down's Syndrome?

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #16 03-06-07, 07:54 pm

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]Baldwins don't have thymus glands. Without that, their immune systems are crippled. Maybe that's why they don't seem to live as long. Same with skinnies. [/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS]Because they ARE hairless pigs, they are genetically impaired. I don't see how you can argue that. [/FONT]

Thank you Susan9608 for this useful post, says:
Maisiepaisie (09-09-07)

Thank you smartorl for this useful post, says:
Morningstar (08-29-07)

Thank you piggly wiggly, for this useful post, say these 4 members:
angelikness (08-25-07), catzeye21138 (09-09-07), Morningstar (08-29-07), sweetjay6891 (03-06-07)

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