✨ Long-Haired Guinea Pig Breeds, Explained

Peruvian, Silkie, Texel, Coronet, Alpaca and Merino, how to tell the fluffy breeds apart.

'Long-haired guinea pig' covers several distinct breeds. They are all wonderful pets with similar care, they just wear their hair differently.

Peruvian — long, straight hair that grows forward over the face, so a well-groomed one looks like a mop with no obvious front or back. High-maintenance show coat, often kept trimmed as a pet.
Silkie (Sheltie) — long, straight hair that sweeps back from the face, giving a teardrop shape. A little easier than the Peruvian and a great first long-hair.
Texel — the curly one. Silkie-type hair but in soft ringlets all over. Adorable, and the curls need gentle, regular combing.
Coronet — a Silkie with a single rosette (a 'crown') on the forehead.
Alpaca — curly like a Texel but with the forward growth and a rosette, essentially a curly Peruvian.
Merino — curly coat with a crown, the Coronet's curly cousin.

All long-hairs share the same needs: unlimited hay, a big cage, and a few minutes of grooming a few times a week. Pick the look you love, then keep it in a practical trim.

The fluffy breeds, side by side

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