Sheltie Guinea Pigs – Complete Breed Profile 2024
Guinea pigs (binomial name – Cavia Porcellus) are a domesticated species of South American rodents that belong to the genus Cavia in the Caviidae family. The majority of people call them cavy or cavies.
Most people adorn them as pets as they are more communicative, attract a lot of attention and allow a higher level of interaction. In recent years many different breeds of Guinea pigs have come into the market, of which sheltie guinea pigs are a great choice. Sheltie is the newest long-haired breed of guinea pigs that came into being at the end of the 20th century. These are usually bred as pets and also are a regular part of so many exhibitions and shows
Let me tell you a funny fact about this breed!
In the USA, these are named Silkie due to their smooth, silky hair coat. In Europe and all other countries, this breed is famous as Shelties. It’s still a mystery why these are named differently!
History Of Silkie/Sheltie Guinea Pigs
The sheltie Guinea Pig is a breed pet that comes from the Scottish Shetland Islands. The first pig of this type was born about 50 years ago in 1973 in England as a result of an experimental crossing between self-black American and Peruvian guinea pigs. They inherit long, silky coats from their ancestors, but unlike Peruvians, their hair doesn’t fall onto their faces.
Soon after their introduction in the market, they received an unusual fame that encouraged the breeders and they started breeding new pigs as pets. Now, these pig breeds are considered the most loved pets in various homes globally.
Sheltie/ Silkie Guinea Pigs Breed Profile
| Name | Sheltie / Silkie Guinea Pigs |
| Origin | England |
| Life Span | Usually 4 – 8 Years |
| Size | 20 and 26 cm |
| Fur | Long, straight, dense |
| Weight | 700-1200 grams |
| Diet | A mix of veggies, hay,nuggets etc (about 80% hay, 20% others) |
| Suitable for | Experienced owners as these require special care |
Important Facts About Sheltie Guinea Pigs
Long hair Coat at the Back
The sheltie pigs have shiny hair that can grow up to 24 inches (about 60 cm) long. Due to the longer hair at the back, these may look like a “teardrop” when you look at it from above.
Styled hair
As already mentioned silkies have shared genetics with Peruvian guineas, so inherit the same long hair . However there is an interesting difference between these 2 breads – Instead of hair growth in the form of a bang, falling over the eyes as with Peruvians, silkies hair grows in backward direction over the shoulder and back like the lion’s mane.
This unique growth direction makes it look like the hair is styled using the gel (Kindly don’t get any idea of gelling, it might be dangerous for sheltie). The backward direction of their hair adds to their charm and sets them apart from other guinea pig breeds.
Sheltie Character
Among all other guinea pig breeds, the Sheltie is known as the most even-tempered, calm, and shy. They tend to keep their distance from each other, take a little more time to get used to the new environment, and are a bit more reserved around humans.
Sheltie Guinea Pig Lifespan
The lifespan of Sheltie Guinea Pigs is a bit longer than any other pet. On average these little hairy creatures may live for almost 4 – 8 years. However, as per our research, we’ve also found that some of these can also live for up to 14 years, which is really really a long period.
If you’re thinking of buying a shelter for yourself, first prepare yourself to take care of these furry cavies for such a long time.If you can’t do so, then you better go with any other pet.
Silkie Guinea Pig Care
Since their hair is long it can tangle around causing discomfort to these breeds. Sometimes the sheltie can get soiled when they pee or they can catch the hay from the cage. So it’s necessary to regularly clean the hair with a small brush. Some experienced sheltie breeders recommend combing the sheltie coat at least once a day.
Moreover, their hair grows faster( (up to 2.5 cm per month) so they need regular trims. When you see the hair coat dragging along the ground, that is the perfect time for hair trimming. It’s recommended to cut the hair more than less so that Sheltie can enjoy more breaks until their next “Salon Appointment”.
At times silkie guinea pigs might need a bath (hardly once a month). Bear in mind this creature is not bath friendly, so try to use lukewarm water and special guinea pig shampoo to avoid stressing this pet while bathing. After bathing, dry the rodent carefully.
Sheltie Guinea Pigs Diet
The dietary requirements of Sheltie are not much specialized but their long furry hair may benefit from omega-3 fatty acids. In general, these are herbivorous (only eat plants) and their ideal diet may contain:
Bear in mind, always be careful when introducing your sheltie with a new task (i.e. a small piece of melon or tomato). Always start slowly with small amounts so that their digestive system can get used to it otherwise they may get diarrhea.
Faqs
Final Thougths
All in all, sheltie Guinea Pigs are one of the most lovely and popular Guinea Pigs breeds and I bet cuddling with this little creature is all that you may need to make your day better. Sheltie comes in different colors that make it perfect as an exhibition animal. Though they require immense care, but if you’ve time and dedication, owning these will actually give you a gentle and affectionate friend.