Reference
Piglopaedia
A practical reference for breed types, common terms, and useful guinea pig vocabulary. Not exhaustive. Not a medical dictionary. Just a useful place to look things up.
Common guinea pig breeds
There are many recognised breeds, but these are the ones most commonly encountered in UK homes and rescues.
American (or English) Shorthair
The most common guinea pig breed. Short, smooth coat that lies flat. Easy to maintain. Active, curious, and typically robust.
Abyssinian
Recognised by multiple rosettes across the body where hair grows in swirling circles. Medium-length, rough-textured coat. One of the more expressive and characterful breeds.
Peruvian
Very long, silky coat that grows forward over the face. One of the original long-haired breeds. Requires regular grooming and commitment.
Silkie (Sheltie)
Long, flowing coat that sweeps back from the face. Often described as the tidiest-looking of the long-haired breeds. Needs regular brushing.
Teddy
Short, upright, dense coat that stands out from the body, giving a plush or velvet-like feel. Low-maintenance compared to long-haired breeds.
Texel
Curly, dense coat that forms ringlets. Combination of soft texture and Merino-style curling. Requires careful grooming especially around the rear.
Crested
Similar to the American in most respects but with a single rosette crown on the head. White-crested variants have a striking contrast if the body colour is dark.
Rex
Short, dense, wool-like coat that curls slightly. Similar feel to a Teddy but with different genetics and slightly different curl pattern.
Glossary
Common terms used across this site and in guinea pig care generally.
- Boar
- An intact (unneutered) male guinea pig.
- Sow
- A female guinea pig.
- Pup
- A baby guinea pig.
- Cavy
- The common alternative name for a guinea pig, derived from the species name Cavia porcellus.
- Wheek
- The high-pitched call guinea pigs make, often when anticipating food or demanding attention.
- Purring
- A low, rumbling sound indicating contentment or, depending on context, a mild dominance display.
- Rumblestrutting
- A low rumbling call combined with a swaggering walk — often used in social displays between guinea pigs.
- Popcorning
- Sudden leaps and twists in the air, often performed when a guinea pig is happy or excited. Especially common in younger animals.
- Barbering
- Chewing or nibbling on another guinea pig's coat. Often stress-related, boredom-related, or related to a dominance dynamic.
- Grease gland
- A small gland near the base of the tail that produces sebaceous secretions. Can build up and require cleaning, especially in boars.
- Sow cycle
- A roughly 15–17 day oestrus cycle in female guinea pigs.
- Hay belly
- A rounder, filled-out abdomen in a well-fed guinea pig — generally a sign of good hay intake rather than a problem.
- GI stasis
- A slowdown or stoppage of the digestive system. Serious and potentially fatal. Marked by reduced or absent droppings and appetite loss.
- Vitamin C deficiency (Scurvy)
- Guinea pigs cannot synthesise vitamin C themselves. Deficiency causes lethargy, sore joints, and coat problems. Prevented by a varied fresh diet.