Harlequin Guinea Pig
Cavia porcellus
Also called Harlequin, Harlequin cavy
From A patched variety standardised in the United Kingdom by the British Cavy Council and looked after by the Rare Varieties Cavy Club. Guinea pigs as a species come from the Andes of South America.123
At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, smooth coat in black (or chocolate) and cream patches
A smooth-coated cavy laid out in square, straight-edged patches of three kinds: solid black (or chocolate), deep cream, and an even mix of the two. The patches line up along each side, three or more per side, and the head is ideally split down the middle into two colours. Colours should be rich and glossy and the eyes are dark.1
Personality what they are like
The Harlequin is defined by its colour pattern, so it has the typical guinea pig character: sociable, chatty with its companions and generally gentle once it is used to handling.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
The short coat stays neat with an occasional brush. Check nails regularly and trim when needed, and keep hay available at all times for tooth wear.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.7
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.843
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.47
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 Harlequin and its black-and-white sister, the Magpie, were long shown in Britain under the Rare Varieties Cavy Club. Both were promoted to full British Cavy Council standards on 1 January 2025.3219
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Unlike the Tortoiseshell and White, a Harlequin may not show any white: patches of white hair disqualify it.1
- 2
Its third 'colour' is an even blend of black (or chocolate) and cream hairs.1
- 3
The Magpie is its sister variety, using white where the Harlequin uses cream.2
- 4
Both the Harlequin and the Magpie became full British standards on 1 January 2025.9
- 5
A band of one colour running right around the body counts as a fault in the standard.1
Recognised by the official bits
- British Cavy Council
- Promoted to full standard on 1 January 2025. Points: head, eyes and ears 10, body shape 10, markings 60 (head 5, line and distribution 30, shape and clarity 25), colour 15, coat 5. Patches of white hair anywhere disqualify.1
- British Cavy Council
- Looked after by the Rare Varieties Cavy Club, in Black/Cream and Chocolate/Cream. Its sister variety the Magpie (Black/White and Chocolate/White) has a separate full standard.2
- British Cavy Council
- Magpie standard, also promoted to full standard 1 January 2025.9
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Harlequin Guinea Pig. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Nail trimevery month
- Weigh inWeekly weighing spots changes earlyevery week
- Teeth checkevery week
- Vitamin cFresh veg rich in vitamin C every dayevery day
- Fresh hayevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- Full cleanevery week
- Floor timeDaily time out to exploreevery day
- Vet check-upevery year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Harlequin breed standard - British Cavy Council britishcavycouncil.org.ukused for BCC standard, full-standard date, points, markings, colours, disqualification
- Rare Varieties Cavy Club - British Cavy Council britishcavycouncil.org.ukused for specialist club, Harlequin and Magpie colours
- Guinea pig - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for general history, size, lifespan
- Guinea pigs - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for lifespan, social needs, activity
- Description and Physical Characteristics of Guinea Pigs - MSD Veterinary Manual msdvetmanual.comused for general weight and lifespan
- Guinea Pig Breeds - WikiNormals - WikiVet en.wikivet.netused for grooming context
- Guinea pig environment - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for housing
- Guinea pig diet - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for diet
- Magpie breed standard - British Cavy Council britishcavycouncil.org.ukused for Magpie sister variety and date
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.