Sheltie Guinea Pig

Guinea pig breed Sheltie It is recognizable due to its long hair, which attracts the attention of breeders who would like to use these pigs as show animals, as well as people who would like to keep them as pets.

This breed is a rather new variety of guinea pig that was developed in the 1970s.

Shelties are also commonly known as Silkies.

Care

This breed of guinea pig is soft and gentle, making it an ideal choice as a pet for children, however we do not recommend them as a pet unless an adult can care for them every day. They require daily grooming to keep their silky smooth coat healthy, making them a high-maintenance pet. So, if you are a responsible adult or teenager who is ready to take on the task of caring for a guinea pig, a Sheltie may be the one for you.

Sheltie guinea pigs require daily care

If you find that your Sheltie is very dirty, you can brush them instead of washing them, as these guinea pigs do not like bathing. Spot washing is much less stressful for them.

Be sure to provide your guinea pig with a good home and a proper diet. This will keep them happy, healthy and entertained for a long time. Shelties need a lot of exercise and love to play. You can let them go outside or run around the house for short periods of time under supervision. They love to explore and need at least an hour of supervised “floor time” each day.

A Sheltie guinea pig's diet should consist mainly of Timothy hay, pellets, water, vitamin C, and delicious fruits and vegetables. Proper cage setup and exercise are still the same as any other breed. Give them plenty of room to exercise and keep them entertained to be happy little animals.

Characteristics of the Sheltie guinea pig:

The Sheltie has long hair, sometimes up to 60cm, that flows back over its body. When viewed from above, it should be teardrop-shaped.

They have long straight hair like Peruvian guinea pig, but instead of covering their head, the Sheltie's hair sweeps back over their head. It looks like the hair was specifically designed that way. In some ways, it resembles a lion's mane.

Shelties can grow from 18 to 25 cm and live from 5 to 7 years if properly cared for.

Temperament and behavior:

Of all the guinea pig breeds, Shelties are known for being the most gentle. They have a very laid-back personality and can seem like shy creatures at first. They may take a little longer to tame than other guinea pigs.

Coat and colors:

The Sheltie pig is often confused with the Peruvian guinea pig. Although the two guinea pig breeds They have long hair, there are many differences between them. The Sheltie's hair is slightly smaller than the Peruvian guinea pig and has a different pattern. The Sheltie's hair is extremely soft and shiny, revealing the neck, looking like a mane and leaving the face exposed. The front hair of the Sheltie is slightly longer than the hair at the back. For this reason, this breed has a teardrop shape.

This breed of guinea pig is very demanding, so it probably isn’t the best option for a young child. Even adults who have guinea pigs as pets will need to have their hair trimmed regularly so they don’t have to constantly groom them.

Like other guinea pig breeds, Sheltie guinea pigs come in a variety of colors.