Texel guinea pigs had 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 often lined in straight, brief fur.
Maintain studying to be taught extra about Texel guinea pigs, what they appear to be, how large they get, and extra!
What do Texel Guinea Pigs Look Like?
In response to the British Cavy Council’s breed commonplace, Texel guinea pigs ought to have dense hair of a good size, an element down the center, and their fur ought to be smooth, curly, and springy.
The fur round their face is often brief and straight. Their bellies are curly.
Texel guinea pigs can have coats of any shade or shade mixtures, however rosettes would disqualify them from displaying. After all, you may discover a Texel-looking piggy with a rosette, and that is okay! They nonetheless make completely good pets.
| Fur: | Lengthy, smooth, curly, and springy fur of a good size. The fur across the face is often brief 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.
Concentrate on what you feed your piggy and their well being, slightly than the burden itself, and keep in mind that they all the time want entry to hay and day by day veggies. Not at all ought to hay be restricted.
Pellets, nonetheless, ought to be restricted and are most frequently the reason for extra weight. Sure well being situations may result in weight achieve in case your piggy’s food regimen hasn’t modified, however their weight has.
How you can Groom a Texel Guinea Pig
Not like short-haired guinea pigs, Texels have to be groomed day by day. Comb by their fur gently and completely 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 averted!
When you come throughout a tangle or mat, don’t attempt to pull the comb by. As an alternative, work it aside together with your fingers or lower it out with scissors. If a mat is near the pores and skin, you’ll be able to maintain the comb towards your guinea pig to guard them from being lower.
Excessive matting might require your Texel to be shaved. I like to recommend bringing them to the groomer or vet for this, as you’ll be able to simply lower their pores and skin.
Texel guinea pigs shouldn’t be bathed greater than needed. Some guinea pigs go their entire lives with no need a shower, however that is much less possible for lengthy hairs. It’s additionally okay to provide them a partial tub when wanted, similar to cleansing the ends of their fur or their butt as an alternative of the entire physique.
When you discover your Texel guinea pig constantly getting soiled, think about altering their bedding or cleansing the cage extra typically.
Temperament: Are Texel Guinea Pigs Pleasant?
With regards to guinea pigs, breeds don’t are inclined to determine temperament. Particular person piggies of any breed could also be tremendous pleasant and outgoing or extremely skittish. This may even apply to guinea pigs born in the identical litter and raised the identical approach!
That mentioned, there are methods to bond together with your guinea pigs and make them extra more likely to take pleasure in your organization. These embrace:
- hand-feeding greens,
- talking to them in a smooth voice, and
- approaching them calmly from the aspect, slightly 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 usually extra skittish than predator animals, like canines or cats, and take longer to heat up to human interplay.
That mentioned, guinea pigs hardly ever chunk as long as they’re dealt with properly. Some wish to be pet or held in your lap, whereas others gained’t ever take pleasure in this and would slightly journey round throughout flooring time or keep house of their cage the place they really feel secure.
It’s necessary to respect your guinea pig’s persona and limits. Do not forget that their wants come first–in case you plan to get a Texel guinea pig simply to drive them to be cuddly, I recommend not adopting one in any respect.
Guinea pigs even have very quick digestive methods, which suggests they love meals! (It additionally means they poop a lot.) Many Texel guinea pigs will probably be fairly loud once 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 present had been as soon as wild animals. Though guinea pigs had 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 had been rapidly acknowledged as their very own breed in 1988 by the American Cavy Breeders Affiliation.
Texel guinea pigs are lovely, so it’s no surprise they’re rising in recognition! We hope this information has helped you determine if a Texel piggy is best for you. And don’t neglect to undertake not less than 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 variety of analysis to search 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 regularly aren’t cleaned and lack correct air flow. This results in indiscriminate breeding, preventing, illness, and hereditary well being situations being simply handed on by generations.
Most breeders also needs to be averted, as they’re what’s generally known as yard breeders. The sort of breeder is often in it for revenue or as a interest, with out realizing sufficient about guinea pigs, their well being, care, and how you can breed them.
This will sound harmless sufficient, however accountable breeding can imply life or demise for each the mom and child guinea pigs.
You may also be tempted to “rescue” a pet retailer or backyard-bred guinea pig since they’re so poorly cared for. Nevertheless, please understand that this implies funding poor breeding practices–due to this fact guaranteeing that the individual or firm you purchase from continues to breed and neglect the animals of their care.
Beneath, we’ll discuss extra about discovering a good guinea pig breeder.
Discovering a Respected Texel Guinea Pig Breeder
Earlier than we begin, I’ll be aware that respected guinea pig breeders are extremely uncommon.
It takes loads of time, information, and work to breed animals correctly–and respected guinea pig breeders are much more more likely 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 suggest adopting from a rescue or shelter as an alternative of buying a guinea pig from a breeder. Even in case you can’t discover a Texel guinea pig, I promise you could find one other who’s simply as cute and lovable!
With that mentioned, 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 properties! You’ll possible 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 basically. In case your breeder can’t reply primary questions precisely, similar to what to feed your guinea pig or correct cage dimension, they’re not a good breeder.
- Correct care. Respected breeders may also care correctly for the piggies of their care, together with providing fixed entry to hay, day by day veggies, and a big, clear enclosure. You need to have the ability to meet the child and mom guinea pigs in a house surroundings.
- One litter at a time. This isn’t a strict rule, so there are exceptions! Some breeders might have a couple of litter without delay, however they shouldn’t have the ability to provide an enormous number of breeds or animals. In that case, you’ll be able to assure they’re in it for the cash–and sure aren’t caring for his or her animals correctly.
- A contract that claims you should return earlier than rehoming. Respected breeders by no means contribute to the shelter inhabitants. They need their animals in good properties, and could have you signal a contract stating that you just’ll deliver the guinea pig again in case you ever must rehome them.
- Their guinea pigs go to the veterinarian recurrently. A good breeder will probably be glad to point out proof that they see a veterinarian recurrently. They’ll additionally suggest 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 may trigger the delivery of deadly white guinea pigs. Each of those situations are lethal, and all the genes are recessive–that means they are often handed on with out the father or mother guinea pigs wanting like a satin, roan, or Dalmatian piggy.
FAQs
Caring for Texel guinea pigs is not any completely 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 a vast quantity of hay plus a restricted quantity of pellets and recent veggies day by day. One factor that’s completely different with Texel guinea pigs in comparison with brief hair breeds is that they want common brushing to forestall tangles or mats.