Guinea Pigs for Show and as Pets
Lovable guinea pigs are serious business when it comes to judging and breeding. Some top winners have
decades long pedigrees and sell for thousands.
by Cathlene Smith
Guinea pigs not only make wonderful pets, they are also sought after for breeding and showing. Many
state and county fairs have displays and competitions for guinea pigs, or cavies. There are numerous
clubs throughout the United Kingdom and North America that cater to the care, breeding and showing
of guinea pigs.
Only pure bred guinea pigs are allowed to be judged. Show cavies are also great pets. These loveable
creatures have an even temperament and love affection. Most breeders make their pure bred cavies
available to the public. A quick internet search can lead the potential buyer to a local club or breeder.
Breeders will sell to pet stores when their stock is too dense. A showable pig may be found in a pet
store, but these cuddly finds are usually substandard on the show table. State and county fairs are a
great place to meet breeders, get information about the species, and often purchase a show animal.
When seeking a guinea pig for show or pet, consider the amount of care before purchase. Long,
beautiful haired guineas like the Silkie and Peruvian take hours to prepare for show. Their long tresses
must be rolled and covered in wraps to prevent snarling and to allow the pig freedom to walk. Short
haired breeds such as the American, Teddy and Abyssinian require less work and stand well at the
judging table. Aesthetics is only a small part of the judging process. The pig is judged on a number of
aspects, awarding the cavy that best represents its sex, age, and breed.
Guinea Pig Categories at the Judging Table
There are numerous ways for a guinea pig to take home a ribbon or trophy. Judging is divided by several
factors. There are generally two shows with two best in breed winners. Youth shows are for breeders
and handlers under the age of eighteen. Regular shows are for adult owners of the pet. Both shows are
meticulously judged and there is no distinction when it comes to the animal.
Guinea pigs are divided by breed, age and sex. Each breed has subcategories; pigs under six months are
placed as juniors, sows and boars are also judged separately. There is a prize given for the best junior,
senior, sex, opposite sex and best of breed. All best of breed winners go on for the main title of Best in
Show.
Judges study for months and must pass several preliminary tests. They intern and assist accredited
judges before gaining their title. The judge is looking not at the beauty of the pig, although this does
come into play, but for the best representation of the breed and the best overall interpretation of the
species.
What is the Judge Looking for in Guinea Pig Competition
Each guinea pig is evaluated to determine if it qualifies to be on the judging table. Broken teeth, no ear
tag (identification tag pierced to the upper flap of the pig), discolored nails, ragged nails, missing nails,
wrong number of rosettes (in Abyssinians), more than three colors in the coat, pregnancy in a sow, signs
of infection, errors in submission (such as wrong sex, age or breed) and if the pig is a pure bred; are all
reasons for disqualification.
The judge feels the body of the pig. It should be tight, full shoulders, very slight concave at the rib and
compact but full abdomen and hips. The body should feel like a rounded brick.
The hair is checked for texture. A Teddy should have coarse hair throughout with no patches of flatness.
Abyssinians have rosettes at the shoulders and across the hips. The hair is coarse and erupts from the
center of the rosette outward. Americans should have a smooth coat with short fibers.
Long hair breeds are checked for texture, not length. If a pig has a dense coat, even coloring and a
smooth, soft feel throughout, it has a good chance at winning in its breed. Longer coats are stunning and
always intimidating at the judge's table, but a long coat tends to thin and coarsen.
Winning "Best of Breed" is quite a feat, especially in popular categories such as the Teddy and American.
These breeds tend to have numerous contenders. "Opposite of Sex" is awarded to the best pig in the
breed that is the opposite sex of the winner of breed. "Best Junior" is given to the cavies under six
months. The junior pig has the potential to win "Best of Breed" and "Best in Show" as well.
All "Best of Breeds" are brought to the table for "Best in Show". This is the grand finale and the big prize
for the pig and its owner. The winner of "Best in Show" generally takes home a trophy and bragging
rights. The pigs who have pedigreed, also add their winnings to their portfolio, making their offspring
more desirable and more expensive.
Showing guinea pigs is fun and educational. Genetics plays the largest part in what animal wins. Care
and grooming are essential. Many 4H programs offer cavy breeding and showing as part of their
curriculum. Whether winner or not, cavies are one of the most loving, affectionate and even tempered
pets. Showing them is an added bonus.
Author was the President of the Utah Cavy Breeders Association in the 1990s.