Sheltie guinea pig: features of the breed, conditions of detention and care

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Sheltie guinea pigs differ from their relatives in long, smooth hair of various colors. The animal can be kept at home. The breed is popular - not a single exhibition or show is complete without this beauty. Keeping and caring for a pet requires special knowledge and skills. Photos with a Sheltie pig are very funny.

History of Breeding

In 1938, breeders crossed two breeds of guinea pigs: American and Peruvian. Through numerous experiments, by 1978 a new breed of pig, unique in its kind, was obtained - the Sheltie.

The animal genetically inherited long hair from American representatives of the breed and silkiness from Peruvian. The result of the selection was the emergence of the most popular breed in the world, which takes part in all exhibitions and shows. The Sheltie guinea pig has been recognized by professional breeders and has become one of the objects of breeding.

Description and appearance

Sheltie - Longhairbreed of guinea pigs. The main distinguishing feature of the animal is the beauty of the coat. In the US, the pig is called Silkie, but in the countries of the European Union and in Russia it is called "Sheltie". In America, for the beauty of the pet, they called The Hollywood cavy, which means "Hollywood guinea pig." A photo of a Sheltie pig can be seen in the article.

The animal is a show animal, so there are strict standards. The description of the Sheltie guinea pig breed includes the following parameters:

1. Wool grows away from the head. The muzzle remains completely open. The hair on the sides is shorter than on the back. The curls fall in silky, straight strands, without tangling, slightly trimmed, without bald patches. Slight waviness is allowed. The length of wool is 50 cm. The color is varied. Whiskers should be long and thick, and the coat should be well-groomed. Newborn Sheltie guinea pigs have a short coat that fits snugly to the body. By six months, the pet already acquires long, smooth curls.
2. The head is short, broad and flattened, but not flat.
3. The beady eyes are slightly convex, large, shiny. Any color can be.
4. The nose is small and neat, looks like a piglet.
5. The ears are large, triangular in shape, rounded at the ends. Look like a petal. Covered with short hairs. Dropped down.
6. The body is plump, compact, without signs of obesity.
7. A newborn Sheltie guinea pig weighs 60-90 g. An adult can reach 1500The length is 20-28 cm. The pet lives up to 7 years with good, proper care. By 6-8 weeks, females reach sexual maturity, and males by 8-12 weeks.

Most popular suits:

• fiery red;
• gold;
• red;
• beige;
• lilac;
• gray;
• buffalo;
• cream;
• saffron;
• slate;
• chocolate.

Less popular - white and black pets. The most rare and attractive color is roan and agouti. The beauty lies not only in the variety of colors, but also in their combination. You can see two-, three- and multi-colored turtle animals.

Grooming

Sheltie guinea pig requires careful care and attention. Breeders do not recommend purchasing a pet for children or people without experience in keeping such an animal.

Sheltie's coat grows throughout life, so it needs to be sheared. The length should be left such that it is convenient for the pet to move around.

The procedure for combing a pig should be taught from an early age. Then she will behave obediently, and the process itself will be a pleasure. A sign of happiness can be a soft whistle emitted by a pet during combing. The procedure should be carried out at least 1 time per day. If the coat is not cared for, it will quickly get tangled, and it will become difficult for the pig to move around. You can simply place the Sheltie on your knees and start combing. To make the pet appear at the exhibition in all its splendor, hair can be twistedon papillottes. Then you can comb the wool every few days, and then make curls again. In the photo, the Sheltie guinea pig is already ready to be shown at the exhibition.

Containment conditions

In addition to a balanced diet, the he alth and longevity of the pig is influenced by an active lifestyle. Shelties are inquisitive and restless animals. They need space. The cell area should be at least 0.6 square meters. meters (10060 cm). But the life of a pet can not be only in the house. In winter, the pig should be let out for a run around the room, and in summer - on the street along the grass. The lack of free space will turn the Sheltie into a sickly and indifferent animal. The cage needs to be cleaned daily - guinea pigs do not differ in cleanliness. Otherwise, a pungent, unpleasant smell will spread throughout the house.

Bathing

If the dirt on the coat or paws is easily removed, then it is better to clean the pig with wet wipes or a plain wet cloth.

Breeders and professionals bathe Shelties. This allows you to return the shine to the appearance of the pet. Especially in cases where the pig is exhibited. If you still cannot do without bathing, then you should accustom the animal to this procedure from an early age. Then this situation will not become stressful for the Sheltie. Bathe the pig should not be more than 1 time per month. Detergents must be purchased separately. As a rule, Sheltie shampoo contains a conditioner, which facilitates the subsequent combing process. Do not wash with regular shampoo - this can cause allergies in your pet. Batheconvenient in the sink, although some owners use a basin and bath. The photo with a Sheltie guinea pig shows how the procedure goes.

Diet

The owner will have to carefully monitor the diet. Feeding a Sheltie guinea pig must be dosed, as she does not have a sense of proportion in food. If you constantly leave a lot of food in the cage, then the pet will become obese.

You can buy ready-made food at the pet store. Pour 1-2 tablespoons into the feeder 2 times a day. Solid pet food is not enough. The basis of the diet includes hay and soft fodder. Hay should always be fresh.

Special mineral stones, hard food and fruit tree branches are needed to grind down the teeth that guinea pigs grow throughout their lives.

Pets love to chew on fresh plants. Young nettles, alfalfa, wild strawberries, plantain, clover leaves, dandelion, yarrow, blueberries, chamomile are ideal. You can not collect plants along the road and industrial enterprises. Such grass can poison the pig and die. And it is better to protect the animal from indoor flowers. They can be poisonous, which will harm the he alth of the animal.

Daily, 15-20 mg of vitamin C should be given to the pig. And pregnant and lactating Shelties - 30-40 mg each.

Water should always be fresh and clean. If there is a lot of juicy food in the pig's diet, then she may not drink at all for a long time. This is normal for an animal.

Character

Sheltie guinea pigs need a little more time to get used to a new environment and owners than other guinea pigs. The animal can be quickly bribed with delicious treats. When the new pet gets used to it, it will become a very affectionate and good-natured member of the family. Shelties love companionship, contact and human affection. Pigs whistle melodicly when they try to attract attention or ask for food.

Reproduction

He althy offspring will be obtained if you choose strong, well-developed animals, without signs of aggression and hereditary diseases. Guinea pigs are transferred to enhanced complex nutrition, the amount of vitamins is increased. The female is transplanted to the male several times. As soon as the pig becomes pregnant, it is placed in a separate cage. It is necessary to build a house in which she can breed. Pregnancy period: 60-68 days. Number of cubs in a litter: 1-5. During pregnancy and feeding, the female needs enhanced nutrition. Shelties feed their cubs with milk for 2 weeks. Newborn guinea pigs should not be handled. Having smelled a person, the female may reject the cubs and stop feeding them. A month later, babies can be taken from their mother and seated according to gender.

Sheltie Breeding

In order for the offspring to be long-haired, it is best to cross a female and a male Sheltie. The result of this union will be silky guinea pigs.

Another way of breeding will be the crossing of the Peruvian and American breed of pigs. Probability of longhairedhandsome men with such an alliance is 20%. It will take a long time to breed a new population. The desired result may not be achieved immediately.

When a Sheltie is crossed with an ordinary pig, the probability of a long-haired individual is reduced to zero. Such a union contains the "short-haired" gene, therefore, most likely, a rosette guinea pig will be born.