Silkie Guinea Pig

Coat and looks how to spot one

long, smooth, backward-sweeping coat with no rosettes

All of the Silkie's hair grows from front to back. The mane starts behind the head and flows over the shoulders and down the body with no parting, so the face stays uncovered, unlike the Peruvian whose fringe falls forwards. Seen from above, the coat makes a teardrop or pear shape, longest at the rear sweep. The hair is soft, fine and silky, and on show animals can grow very long (Wikipedia mentions up to about 60 cm). The head is broad with a gently rounded Roman nose, large bright eyes and large drooping ears. A Satin form has an extra glossy sheen.71893

Personality what they are like

Usually described as one of the calmest and most docile guinea pig breeds. Silkies tend to be gentle, cuddly and sociable with both people and other guinea pigs, and many owners describe them as outgoing once settled. Because of the coat care they need, guides often suggest them for keepers with some guinea pig experience.123

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Guinea pigs are busy animals that can be on the go for up to 20 hours a day, sleeping only in short spells. Give daily time in a larger, safe run or room with tunnels, hides and things to explore. Happy guinea pigs often jump and twist in the air, which owners call 'popcorning'.54

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The long coat needs daily attention: brush gently in the direction the hair grows, working through the sweep and sides. Many pet owners keep the coat trimmed to a manageable length (around 10-15 cm) and trim the hair around the rear so it stays clean. Show animals are sometimes kept with the coat wrapped. Plenty of hay helps keep housemates from nibbling each other's long hair out of boredom.231

Home where they are happiest

Provide a roomy enclosure tall enough for them to stand up on their hind legs, with about 30 cm of height so youngsters can do their playful hops. Solid floors with a good layer of dust-free bedding (not wire grids), and more hiding places than there are guinea pigs (one extra). Indoors, aim for about 17-20 C; keep them out of heat above about 26 C and bring outdoor guinea pigs inside when it drops below about 15 C. Spot-clean daily and fully clean at least weekly.10

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Good-quality hay should be available at all times and form most of the diet, with fresh grass when possible. Add grass-based guinea pig pellets daily (amount per the maker's guidance, replaced daily rather than topped up) and a daily mix of fresh vegetables and herbs such as parsley, bell pepper, celery, cucumber and romaine. Guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C, so it must come from food every day (roughly 10 mg per day). Fruit only as an occasional small treat. Fresh water always available, checked twice a day.1154

Company who they like around

Very sociable: guinea pigs should live with at least one other friendly guinea pig and are happiest in pairs or small groups. In the wild, cavies live in close family groups of about 5-10.510

The story where it all began

Guinea pigs were domesticated in the Andes of South America, possibly as early as 5000 BC, and were brought to Europe by traders in the 1500s, where they became popular pets. Organised breeding and showing later spread worldwide, with show standards set today by bodies such as the British Cavy Council in the UK and the American Cavy Breeders Association (working under the American Rabbit Breeders Association) in North America. The Silkie is a fairly modern breed. It was produced in Britain in the early 1970s by crossing the long-haired Peruvian with smooth shorthairs, aiming for a long coat that runs backwards without covering the face. In the UK it took the name Sheltie, a nod to the long flowing coat of the Shetland Sheepdog, while American breeders adopted Silkie after its soft texture. It is now a full standard breed with the British Cavy Council and one of the 13 breeds in the ARBA Standard of Perfection, where a Satin form is also shown. The Silkie later became a parent of other long-haired breeds: crossing it with the British Rex produced the Texel in the 1980s, and crossing it with the Crested produced the Coronet.12378124

Recognised by the official bits

American Cavy Breeders Association / ARBA Standard of Perfection

One of the 13 ARBA-recognised cavy breeds, shown as Silkie and Silkie Satin. The standard asks for a broad head, short Roman nose and a mane that grows back over the body without a parting.8

American Rabbit Breeders Association

ARBA recognises 13 cavy breeds and uses a Silkie to illustrate its cavy breed list; standards are held by the ACBA.13

British Cavy Council

Full standard as the Sheltie: head, eyes and ears 20 points, coat appearance (mane, chops, shoulders, sides, sweep) 30, coat feel 30, presentation 10, body 10. Any colour or mix of colours. Shown without a central parting on a board covered in natural hessian.7