Rex Guinea Pig

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, dense, crimped 'rex' coat without guard hairs (up to about 1.2 cm)

The Rex wears a thick, short coat of crimped hair that stands straight out from the body, so it looks a bit like a little hedgehog or a fuzzy scrubbing brush. The coat lacks guard hairs and feels coarse and wiry, especially along the back; if you sweep a palm against it, it springs straight back upright. Belly fur tends to curl, the whiskers are crimped too, and the breed has a broad head with large, softly drooping ears.9610211

Personality what they are like

Known for a calm, gentle, sociable nature. Owners often describe Rex cavies as friendly, cuddly and easy to handle, which makes them a good match for first-time keepers and families. As with any guinea pig, they may be timid at first and grow in confidence with gentle daily handling.8762

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

Simple to groom: a gentle brush about once a week with a soft-bristled brush keeps the short coat tidy, and baths are needed only rarely. Check nails regularly and trim about monthly or as needed. Because the coat has no guard hairs, keep them out of cold draughts and indoors in chilly weather.7102

Home where they are happiest

A roomy enclosure tall enough for them to stand up on their hind legs (around 30 cm of height so youngsters can hop), 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.12

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 (per the maker's guidance, replaced rather than topped up) 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 (roughly 10 mg per day). Fruit only as an occasional small treat, and fresh water always available, checked twice a day.1343

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. Wild cavies live in close family groups of about 5-10.412

The story where it all began

Guinea pigs were domesticated in the Andes of South America thousands of years ago and arrived in Europe with traders in the 1500s. The Rex is a much more recent British creation. Around 1977 a breeder named Phil Dolphin brought a rex-coated red Dutch boar to the Northampton show; fancier Fred took it on, it won the new-variety class at an R.V.C.C. stock show, and he built a line by breeding it to sows and then crossing carrier daughters back to it. Mary Belcher then did a great deal of work developing the breed. The Rex was accepted as a Guide Standard in the late 1970s, and on 1 May 1984 a Full Standard was written and the British Cavy Council granted it standardisation, opening the Open show classes to it. A dedicated Rex Cavy Club was agreed in principle in 1991 and formally voted into being at Doncaster in 1992 (some sources give 1991 as the founding year). The breed remains concentrated in the UK, with smaller numbers elsewhere.312

Recognised by the official bits

British Cavy Council

Full breed standard. Points: head, eyes and ears 20, body shape 15, coat appearance 20, coat feel 45 (density 15, springiness 15, texture 15). Crimped, upright coat no longer than 1.2 cm; rosettes or part rosettes disqualify. Colour classes: Solid, Agouti, Bi-Colour, Tricolour, Roan and Any Other Colour.9

British Cavy Council

Full Standard written 1 May 1984 and standardisation granted by the BCC, after the Rex had first been a Guide Standard in the late 1970s.1

American Cavy Breeders Association

Not among the ACBA-recognised breeds; rare in the US.10