At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, smooth coat of one even colour
The Self is all about evenness: one solid colour from nose to tail with no ticking, patches or white markings. Show Selfs are short and cobby with deep, broad shoulders, a strongly curved 'Roman' nose and large ears that droop with the lower edge level with the ground. The undercoat can be a shade paler than the top coat.2678
Personality what they are like
Owners describe Selfs as affectionate and good with children, though each has its own character. Regular gentle handling from a young age helps them stay confident rather than shy.6
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, smooth coat only needs an occasional brush. Check nails regularly and trim when needed, and keep hay available at all times to keep the teeth worn.48
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.10
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.1143
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.410
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. Fanciers later selected smooth-coated guinea pigs for a single, perfectly even colour, and in Britain these became the English Self. Each Self colour was once treated as its own variety, and today the English Self Cavy Club looks after them all.361
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
White Selfs come in two eye colours: pink-eyed white and dark-eyed white.2
- 2
Mating a buff Self with a white produces all cream babies, while two creams give about half cream, a quarter buff and a quarter white.6
- 3
In the British standard the head, eyes and ears are worth 30 of 100 points, as much as the colour itself.2
- 4
Show Selfs should have ears that droop so the lower edge sits level with the ground.2
- 5
Caramel is the newest Self colour, listed as new and emerging.9
Recognised by the official bits
- British Cavy Council
- Full standard as the English Self, looked after by the English Self Cavy Club. Points: head, eyes and ears 30, body shape 25, colour 30, coat 15. Satin Selfs are also standardised, with 20 points for satin sheen.2
- English Self Cavy Club
- 15 full-standard colours, with Caramel listed as a new and emerging Self colour.9
- British Cavy Council
- Breed-club listing of all Self colours under the English Self Cavy Club.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Self 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.
- English Self Cavy Club - British Cavy Council britishcavycouncil.org.ukused for club and colour list
- British Cavy Council breed standards (PDF) britishcavycouncil.org.ukused for English Self standard, points, colours, satin, body and ears
- 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
- Self Guinea Pig - Omlet omlet.co.ukused for temperament, colour genetics, coat
- List of guinea pig breeds - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for self definition
- Guinea Pig Breeds - WikiNormals - WikiVet en.wikivet.netused for self description
- About Us - English Self Cavy Club englishselfcavies.wordpress.comused for 15 full colours, Caramel emerging
- Guinea pig environment - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for housing
- Guinea pig diet - RSPCA rspca.org.ukused for diet
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.