Lunkarya Guinea Pig

Coat and looks how to spot one

long, rough, dense curly coat

The Lunkarya has a long, coarse, very curly coat that should be thick and full all over, giving it a woolly, tousled look that never lies flat. It comes in three styles based on the long-haired breeds: the Lunkarya Peruvian with a forelock over the face, the Lunkarya Sheltie with hair sweeping backward, and the Lunkarya Coronet with a crown on its head. The coat grows about an inch a month.12

Personality what they are like

An easy-going, gentle and mild-mannered guinea pig with a fairly relaxed energy level. It enjoys living in a group and can pick up simple tricks.2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Guinea pigs are busy animals that can be on the go for up to 20 hours a day, napping in short spells. Offer daily time in a larger, safe run or room with tunnels, hides and things to explore. Contented guinea pigs often leap and twist in the air, a habit owners call 'popcorning'.43

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The long curly coat needs daily grooming to keep it free of tangles and bedding, with trims to keep the length manageable.2

Home where they are happiest

A roomy enclosure tall enough for them to stand up on their hind legs, with solid floors and a deep layer of dust-free bedding rather than wire grids. Provide one more hiding place than there are guinea pigs. Indoors aim for about 17-20 C; protect them from heat above about 26 C and bring outdoor guinea pigs inside when it falls below about 15 C. Spot-clean daily and do a full clean at least weekly.6

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Good-quality hay available at all times should make up most of the diet, plus fresh grass where possible. Add a daily portion of grass-based guinea pig pellets and a daily mix of fresh vegetables and herbs such as parsley, bell pepper, celery, cucumber and romaine. Guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C, so it has to come from food every day. Fruit only as an occasional small treat, and fresh water always available.743

Company who they like around

Very sociable: guinea pigs should live with at least one other friendly guinea pig and do best in pairs or small groups.46

The story where it all began

Guinea pigs were domesticated in the Andes of South America and reached Europe with traders in the 1500s, where they became popular pets. The Lunkarya appeared in Sweden in 1986, when a curly-coated mutation turned up among Peruvian guinea pigs. The breed's name is a variation of its creator's surname, Lundqvist, and breeders went on to produce Peruvian, Sheltie and Coronet versions. It is still most familiar in the Nordic countries.312

Recognised by the official bits

American Cavy Breeders Association / ARBA

Not recognised.1

Nordic cavy fancy

Mainly kept and shown in the Nordic countries; the item's worklist note lists it as recognised by the British Cavy Council, but no BCC standard could be confirmed in the sources checked.1