Dutch Guinea Pig

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, smooth coat in a fixed white-and-colour pattern

A smooth-coated cavy wearing a crisp two-tone pattern. The face has a white blaze shaped like an upside-down V, broad at the nose and narrowing between the ears, framed by rounded coloured cheeks and solid-coloured ears. A clean white band covers the neck, shoulders and front legs, then a straight-edged coloured saddle covers the back half, and each hind foot shows a short white 'stop' with three white toenails.1726

Personality what they are like

The Dutch is a colour-pattern variety, so it behaves like any guinea pig: social, vocal with its companions and generally gentle and easy to handle once it trusts its keeper.43

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Guinea pigs stay active for much of the day and night, resting in short naps. Give them daily time in a bigger, safe space with tunnels and hides to explore. Happy guinea pigs often jump and twist in the air, which owners call 'popcorning'.43

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Little grooming is needed for the short, smooth coat beyond an occasional brush. Keep an eye on nail length and trim when needed, and supply plenty of hay so the teeth stay worn.46

Home where they are happiest

A spacious enclosure with a solid floor and a deep layer of dust-free bedding, tall enough for the guinea pig to stand up on its back legs. Offer at least one more hiding place than the number of guinea pigs. Keep them in a comfortable room temperature of about 17-20 C, shield them from heat above about 26 C, and bring outdoor guinea pigs indoors when it drops below about 15 C. Spot-clean daily and clean thoroughly at least once a week.9

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Plenty of good hay, available all the time, should form most of the diet, with fresh grass where possible. Add a measured daily portion of grass-based guinea pig pellets and a daily mix of fresh vegetables and herbs. Guinea pigs need vitamin C from their food every day because their bodies do not make it. Keep fruit as a small, occasional treat and make sure clean water is always available.1043

Company who they like around

A very social animal that should share its home with at least one compatible guinea pig; pairs or small groups suit them best. In the wild, cavies live in small family groups.49

The story where it all began

Guinea pigs were first domesticated in the Andes of South America and reached Europe with traders in the 1500s, where they became popular pets. The Dutch is a marked variety named after the matching pattern of the Dutch rabbit, and British fanciers set a detailed standard for it. Its own specialist club, the Dutch Cavy Club, looks after the breed under the British Cavy Council.328

Recognised by the official bits

British Cavy Council

Full standard, looked after by the Dutch Cavy Club. Points: head, eyes and ears 10, body shape 10, markings 60 (blaze, cheeks, neck and ears 25; saddle and undercut 20; foot stops 15), colour 15, coat 5. Missing stops, a single stop, stops above the hock or any coloured toenail disqualify.1

British Cavy Council

Specialist club: Dutch Cavy Club.8