How to Choose a Guinea Pig for Breeding

Usually, guinea pigs have a way of choosing their own breeding partners without any human intervention. But if you can breed the best of the best, then that is the best way you can create and nurture healthy pigs. Take into account their coat patterns, body shape and rarity.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• At least two guinea pigs
• At least two guinea pig cages, pens or hutches
• A lot of money
• Your veterinarian
• An expert on guinea pigs
• Guinea pig books
• Honesty

Baby Cavies

1. Take all of your guinea pigs to the vet to be sure they are healthy enough for breeding and do not show any defects. The females (sows) should be four to six months old and weigh at least one pound (500 grams). The males (boars) should be at least eight months old.

2. Compare your guinea pigs honestly to photos and written breed standards of show guinea pigs set by your country's Cavy showing association. In America, this is the American Cavy Breeder's Association. You must take into account their body shape, coloration, number or toes, formation of the teeth, coat texture and their health.

3. Check over your guinea pig's sire and dam, if possible. If the sire and dam are owned by others, ask the owners about any health problems with the other babies from the sire and dam.

4. Reconsider breeding your guinea pigs if you cannot find the sire and dam. You might not be able to register, sell or show the babies.

5. Take your young guinea pig breeding candidates to a local guinea pig show and get comments from the judges and other guinea pig experts about whether these guinea pigs are good enough to breed.

Tips & Warnings

• Never breed guinea pigs just because you can, or to "show the kids the wonder of nature". There are far too many homeless guinea pigs in the world. Don't add to them.
• Only breed your guinea pigs a few times in their lives. Breeding seems to sap their vitality and reduce their lifespans.
• When you can, get them neutered. Neutering guinea pigs is becoming a more common and safer procedure for veterinarians.
• Keep the boar and sow separated as soon as you know the sow is pregnant.
• Never breed a sow that is over eight moths old.
• Never turn your sows into breeding machines. This will not only harm the so, but make the babies less healthy.

Resources

• Guinea Lynx: Breeding
• Seagull's Guinea Pig Compendium
• American Cavy Breeders Association