Texel guinea pigs have been initially bred by crossbreeding Rex and Silkie guinea pigs, in order that they have traits of each. Their fur is dense, curly, and lengthy throughout their our bodies, except for their faces that are normally lined in straight, quick fur.
Preserve studying to study extra about Texel guinea pigs, what they appear to be, how huge they get, and extra!
What do Texel Guinea Pigs Look Like?
In response to the British Cavy Council’s breed standard, Texel guinea pigs ought to have dense hair of a good size, an element down the center, and their fur needs to be comfortable, curly, and springy.
The fur round their face is normally quick and straight. Their bellies are curly.
Texel guinea pigs can have coats of any shade or shade mixtures, however rosettes would disqualify them from exhibiting. After all, you would possibly discover a Texel-looking piggy with a rosette, and that is okay! They nonetheless make completely good pets.
| Fur: | Lengthy, comfortable, curly, and springy fur of a good size. The fur across the face is normally quick and straight. |
| Coat shade: | Any shade or shade mixture |
| Dimension: | 8-10 inches on common |
| Lifespan: | Common lifespan is 5-7, the identical as for all guinea pig breeds |
| Grooming: | Wants common brushing |
| Rosettes: | None |
How Large do Texel Guinea Pigs Get?
Texel guinea pigs could also be shorter than different guinea pigs. They measure round 8-10 inches from their heads to their bottoms.
They might weigh barely lower than different piggies attributable to their smaller dimension, however every Texel piggy is a person. Don’t fear in case your piggy is on the longer, heavier finish of the spectrum!
When you’re ever involved about your guinea pig’s weight, I recommend speaking with an unique pet veterinarian who has loads of expertise with guinea pigs.
Give attention to what you feed your piggy and their well being, moderately than the load itself, and keep in mind that they all the time want entry to hay and each day veggies. In no way ought to hay be restricted.
Pellets, nonetheless, needs to be restricted and are most frequently the reason for extra weight. Sure well being circumstances may result in weight achieve in case your piggy’s food regimen hasn’t modified, however their weight has.
How one can Groom a Texel Guinea Pig
In contrast to short-haired guinea pigs, Texels have to be groomed each day. Comb by their fur gently and totally to make sure they don’t develop tangles or mats.
When a guinea pig is matted, particularly round their joints, the fur continuously tugs on the pores and skin. This causes ache and have to be prevented!
When you come throughout a tangle or mat, don’t attempt to pull the comb by. As an alternative, work it aside along with your fingers or reduce it out with scissors. If a mat is near the pores and skin, you may maintain the comb towards your guinea pig to guard them from being reduce.
Excessive matting could require your Texel to be shaved. I like to recommend bringing them to the groomer or vet for this, as you may simply reduce their pores and skin.
Texel guinea pigs shouldn’t be bathed greater than crucial. Some guinea pigs go their entire lives without having a shower, however that is much less seemingly for lengthy hairs. It’s additionally okay to provide them a partial bathtub when wanted, akin to cleansing the ends of their fur or their butt as an alternative of the entire physique.
When you discover your Texel guinea pig persistently getting soiled, take into account altering their bedding or cleansing the cage extra usually.
Temperament: Are Texel Guinea Pigs Pleasant?
In relation to guinea pigs, breeds don’t are likely to determine temperament. Particular person piggies of any breed could also be tremendous pleasant and outgoing or extremely skittish. This could even apply to guinea pigs born in the identical litter and raised the identical means!
That stated, there are methods to bond along with your guinea pigs and make them extra prone to get pleasure from your organization. These embrace:
- hand-feeding greens,
- chatting with them in a comfortable voice, and
- approaching them calmly from the aspect, moderately than loudly, rapidly, or from the highest.
Guinea pigs are prey animals, in order that they don’t like folks hovering over them! They are typically extra skittish than predator animals, like canine or cats, and take longer to heat up to human interplay.
That stated, guinea pigs not often chunk as long as they’re dealt with properly. Some wish to be pet or held in your lap, whereas others gained’t ever get pleasure from this and would moderately journey round throughout ground time or keep residence of their cage the place they really feel secure.
It’s vital to respect your guinea pig’s character and limits. Keep in mind that their wants come first–for those who plan to get a Texel guinea pig simply to power them to be cuddly, I recommend not adopting one in any respect.
Guinea pigs even have very quick digestive methods, which implies they love meals! (It additionally means they poop a lot.) Many Texel guinea pigs might be fairly loud after they hear a bag rustle from the kitchen, as a result of veggie time is their favourite!
The place do Texel Guinea Pigs Come From?
Like all guinea pigs, Texels initially come from South America the place the pets we all know at the moment have been as soon as wild animals. Though guinea pigs have been first bred for meat, the Texel guinea pig is a reasonably new breed that fortunately originated as pets.
Texel guinea pigs started as a crossbreed between Rex and Silkie guinea pigs within the ‘80s, however have been rapidly acknowledged as their very own breed in 1988 by the American Cavy Breeders Association.
Texel guinea pigs are stunning, so it’s no surprise they’re rising in reputation! We hope this information has helped you determine if a Texel piggy is best for you. And don’t neglect to undertake at the least two!
The place Can I Discover a Texel Guinea Pig?
You’ll be able to undertake a Texel guinea pig from a guinea pig rescue, animal shelter, or a good breeder. Nevertheless, respected breeders are very uncommon and it takes a whole lot of analysis to seek out one!
By no means undertake a guinea pig from a pet retailer. These piggies come from breeding mills, that are abusive like pet mills, only for different animals.
Guinea pigs are crowded into small containers, which frequently aren’t cleaned and lack correct air flow. This results in indiscriminate breeding, preventing, illness, and hereditary well being circumstances being simply handed on by generations.
Most breeders must also be prevented, as they’re what’s referred to as yard breeders. The sort of breeder is normally in it for revenue or as a interest, with out realizing sufficient about guinea pigs, their well being, care, and the way to breed them.
This may occasionally sound harmless sufficient, however accountable breeding can imply life or demise for each the mom and child guinea pigs.
You may additionally be tempted to “rescue” a pet retailer or backyard-bred guinea pig since they’re so poorly cared for. Nevertheless, please needless to say this implies funding poor breeding practices–subsequently guaranteeing that the particular person or firm you purchase from continues to breed and neglect the animals of their care.
Beneath, we’ll speak extra about discovering a good guinea pig breeder.
Discovering a Respected Texel Guinea Pig Breeder
Earlier than we begin, I’ll word that respected guinea pig breeders are extremely uncommon.
It takes loads of time, data, and work to breed animals correctly–and respected guinea pig breeders are much more prone to pour cash into the guinea pigs than revenue off of them. Most individuals aren’t passionate sufficient to breed correctly due to this.
I all the time advocate adopting from a rescue or shelter as an alternative of buying a guinea pig from a breeder. Even for those who can’t discover a Texel guinea pig, I promise you will discover one other who’s simply as cute and lovable!
With that stated, right here’s what to search for in a good Texel guinea pig breeder:
- A ready record. Respected breeders know the place their animals are going earlier than they’re born, as a result of they need to guarantee they go to good houses! You’ll seemingly have to attend fairly a while for a good breeder–if they’ve infants same-day, please stroll away.
- Information of the breed and breeding and elevating guinea pigs generally. In case your breeder can’t reply primary questions precisely, akin to what to feed your guinea pig or correct cage dimension, they’re not a good breeder.
- Correct care. Respected breeders may even care correctly for the piggies of their care, together with providing fixed entry to hay, each day veggies, and a big, clear enclosure. You must be capable to meet the infant and mom guinea pigs in a house atmosphere.
- One litter at a time. This isn’t a strict rule, so there are exceptions! Some breeders could have multiple litter without delay, however they shouldn’t be capable to provide an enormous number of breeds or animals. If that’s the case, you may assure they’re in it for the cash–and sure aren’t caring for his or her animals correctly.
- A contract that claims you could return earlier than rehoming. Respected breeders by no means contribute to the shelter inhabitants. They need their animals in good houses, and could have you signal a contract stating that you simply’ll carry the guinea pig again for those who ever have to rehome them.
- Their guinea pigs go to the veterinarian usually. A good breeder might be blissful to point out proof that they see a veterinarian usually. They’ll additionally advocate close by unique pet veterinarians so that you can take your piggies to after adoption.
- DNA testing. A easy check-up on the vet isn’t sufficient to clear a guinea pig for breeding. As an alternative, the breeder must know that they gained’t cross down any dangerous genetics.
Two issues they need to search for are the satin gene, which causes Satin Syndrome, and the roan and Dalmatian genes, which might trigger the delivery of lethal white guinea pigs. Each of those circumstances are lethal, and all the genes are recessive–that means they are often handed on with out the dad or mum guinea pigs wanting like a satin, roan, or Dalmatian piggy.
FAQs
Caring for Texel guinea pigs isn’t any totally different than caring for different guinea pig breeds. All of them want a spacious enclosure and secure bedding that’s absorbent and good at stopping odors. All guinea pig breeds have the identical dietary wants we wrote about in additional element right here. They want an infinite quantity of hay plus a restricted quantity of pellets and contemporary veggies each day. One factor that’s totally different with Texel guinea pigs in comparison with quick hair breeds is that they want common brushing to forestall tangles or mats.
