Teddy Guinea Pig

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, dense, springy coat that stands upright (up to about 1.2 cm in UK standard)

The Teddy's fur is short, very thick and bouncy, standing up off the body instead of lying flat, which gives the animal the look of a plush toy. In the UK standard the coat runs forward from the rump towards the head, forming a little fringe or 'cap' over the forehead, and it should feel plush yet slightly crisp and spring back when brushed. Two coat textures are known, a softer plush coat and a coarser harsh coat, and US Teddies typically have fairly long, curly hair on the belly. The body is short, chunky and broad across the shoulders, with a broad head and large drooping ears.1758

Personality what they are like

Owners describe Teddies as friendly, cuddly and playful little companions that enjoy attention, with some likening their eagerness to that of a small dog. Like other guinea pigs they are gentle, chatty animals that do best with a companion of their own kind.63

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Guinea pigs are lively and can be awake and moving for up to 20 hours a day, napping in short bursts. Offer daily time in a bigger, safe run or room with tunnels, hides and new things to investigate. A happy guinea pig will often leap and twist in the air, which owners call 'popcorning'.32

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short coat is easy to keep: brush it gently now and then, which also shows off its natural bounce. Breeders note the dense coat can leave the skin on the dry side and add small extras such as oats to the diet, so a balanced diet with good-quality hay matters. For showing, stray longer guard hairs are plucked out so the coat looks even.58

Home where they are happiest

Give a spacious enclosure with room to stand up on the hind legs and enough height (about 30 cm) for young ones to hop. Use solid flooring with a deep layer of dust-free bedding rather than wire, and provide one more hiding place than there are guinea pigs. Indoors, about 17-20 C suits them; keep them out of heat above about 26 C and bring outdoor animals inside when it falls below about 15 C. Spot-clean every day and clean out fully at least once a week.9

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Hay should always be on offer and make up the bulk of the diet, with fresh grass when available. Add grass-based guinea pig pellets each day (following the maker's amount and replacing rather than topping up) plus a daily handful of fresh vegetables and herbs such as parsley, bell pepper, celery, cucumber and romaine. Guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C, so their food has to supply it every day. Fruit is best kept as a small, occasional treat, and fresh water should always be available and checked twice a day.1032

Company who they like around

A very social animal: keep at least two friendly guinea pigs together, as they are happiest in pairs or small groups. Wild cavies live in close family groups of around 5-10 animals.39

The story where it all began

Guinea pigs were domesticated in the Andes thousands of years ago and later reached Europe, where breeders began selecting them for looks rather than as livestock. The Teddy came about when a natural mutation produced a short, kinked, upstanding coat, and fanciers fixed it into a breed prized for its soft-toy appearance. It became an established show breed on both sides of the Atlantic: in the US it is shown under the American Cavy Breeders Association, including a Satin form, and in Britain it has its own standard under the British Cavy Council and a dedicated breed society, the Teddy Cavy Club. The UK standard puts more weight on how the coat feels (density, bounce and texture) than on any other feature, and awards no points at all for colour.127511

Recognised by the official bits

British Cavy Council

Full breed standard in the rough, short-coated group (with Rex and Abyssinian); looked after by the Teddy Cavy Club. Points: head, eyes and ears 20, body shape 15, coat appearance 30, coat feel 35.7

Teddy Cavy Club (UK)

Specialist breed club affiliated to the British Cavy Council; shows Teddies in six colour classes (Solid, Agouti/Agouti Bicolour, Tricolour, Bicolour, Roan, AOC).5

American Cavy Breeders Association (ARBA Standard of Perfection)

Recognised show breed in the US; a Satin variety is also shown.1