One of the favorite types of cavies is the long haired guinea pig.
Sure, they do take a little more effort than short haired guinea pigs but long hairs are showier.
They have certain elegance and are the prettiest of all guinea pigs.
As for the extra effort involved, the longer hair needs a daily brushing.
There are many choices in terms of guinea pig breeds.
There are hair types ranging from short to long to wavy, curly, long, and fuzzy.
The colors range from multicolored to mono to swirls and everything in between.
Before you commit to a longhaired breed, make sure you are able to take care of its grooming needs.
The long haired guinea pig has problems with tangles, mats, and dirt in their hair that should be long and luxurious.
Untended, these seemingly minor matters can develop into serious problems for the pet pig.
Tangles can become mats which can become huge and start pulling on the poor guinea pig's skin.
Sometimes this can break the skin and cause sores.
The Peruvian is one of the finest of the long haired varieties.
Its hair is spectacular.
And it is long, even for a long hair.
A Peruvian's hair can grow up to a 20 inches long.
The grooming requirements are so high for this breed that you are better off not getting into this level of pet care unless you are into showing competitively.
Oh course, even short haired cavies need grooming.
A little brushing once a week will keep them clean and tidy.
However, even with short hairs, you can run into some challenges.
For instance, the Abyssinian which is short haired has rosette swirls.
Basically this means that the hair grows in different directions and therefore is hard to keep brushed properly.
They are perfect pets for the entire family to enjoy and take care of, and in spite of common misconceptions they're in fact quite low maintenance so far as pets go.
Yet as with any family pet they will require some day to day care and for that reason it is very important to learn the fundamentals of grooming your cavy.
There is an upside to the care needed for long haired breeds.
Since they are loving little pets, you are likely to choose one for the affection and pleasure they provide.
The grooming needed enforces a close bond between you and your pet.
What you need for the special grooming of the long-haired types of guinea pigs is a soft-bristle brush.
A baby brush is ideal.
And the best part is that with a gentle brushing, the long haired guinea pig will almost purr with pleasure so that the chore becomes fun for the cavy and soothing for both of you.