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White Crested Guinea Pig
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White Crested Guinea Pig

White Crested Satin Guinea Pig

Family: CaviidaeWhite Crested Guinea Pig, Guinea Pig PicturesAmerican White Crested Guinea PigCavia porcellusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Heather Hall
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Hi there, I breed the white crested guinea pigs in my home country (Czech Republic) and I am in Vancouver now for one year to improve my English. So I am looking... (more)  Linda Sykora

  A single white rosette on the top of the head is the 'crown' of glory for the White Crested Guinea Pig!

White Crested Guinea Pig Contents

   Also known as the American Crested, the White Crested Guinea Pig is a somewhat rare and very unique-looking breed. These little princes and princesses have what looks like a white crown on their heads.:

   Due to the stringent qualifications for showing the White Crested Guinea Pig, the majority of them are sold as pets. These pet animals may have non-conforming markings, but in most cases they still have the coveted crest on their heads. They also have the same sparkling personalities as other breeds of guinea pigs, even though some say their crest makes them look like they are perpetually angry.

   White Crested Guinea Pigs present quite a challenge to breeders, because as few as one in fifty of them conform to the breed standard. Although a showable White Crested is hard to find, those that have the correct markings often do well at shows.

Guinea Pig Information - Guinea Pig Care
Guide to a Happy Healthy Guinea Pig


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Geographic Distribution
Cavia porcellus
Data provided by GBIF.org
Scientific Classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Rodentia
  • Family: Caviidae

Background:    The White Crested Guinea Pig was officially recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1974. The breed continues to be somewhat rare, however, probably due to the difficulty of producing offspring of show quality. Satin has been introduced to the breed, but are not acceptable according to ARBA standards.

Description:    White Crested Guinea Pigs come in a variety of colors, but they must have a white crest on the top of the head. They should not have any white on the rest of the body if they are to be shown. True White Cresteds should have a short, smooth coat like that of the American Guinea Pig.
   White Crested's may also be found in Satin. This is a coat that is glossier and denser than the standard White Crested coat. White Crested Satins are not recognized by the ACBA.

Color differences:    White Crested Guinea Pigs can be Agouti, Brindle, Self, or any other pattern that does not include any white. Dutch, Roan, Dalmatian, Himalayan, and White are not acceptable for show purposes.

Keeping Guinea Pigs:

GUINEA PIG CARE

   Be sure to provide your guinea pig with a good home and a proper diet. This will keep it happy and healthy and ensure a great pet for a long time.

   Guinea pigs need plenty of exercise and they also love to play. You can let them outside or run around in the house for short periods of time under supervision. They love to explore and need at least one hour of supervised 'floor time' every day.

   When picking up a guinea pig make sure you do not grab it only by its shoulders. Just keep in mind when picking your pet up to do it evenly. With your hands, support it's entire body, and be careful not to drop it.

   Guinea pigs are social creatures and will like to have a companion. They are great companions for children.

   Take time to learn what your guinea pig needs, including:

  • housing
  • care and feeding
  • social behaviors
  • activies
  • handling and training
  • breeding guinea pigs
  • baby guinea pigs.

Availability:    White Crested's of show and breeding quality are hard to find, but pet quality White Cresteds can be found with less difficulty. Prices are usually around $10 to $20 depending on quality.
   Guinea Pigs come in many varieties and are readily available at pet stores, shelters, and rescues. When looking to acquire a pet guinea pig make sure it is a healthy animal. A healthy guinea pig will have brilliant eyes, good sound teeth, and a healthy coat. Any age and either sex will make a good pet, however you should plan to get more than one as they are very social and do best with a companion. Get a same sex pair or you could end up having babies.

References "The White Crested", Copyright ACBA
"White Crested", Copyright Rushmore Caviary
"Crested", Omlet, Copyright 2004
Holly Nash, DVM, MS, "Guinea Pigs: Breeds and Colors", Foster and Smith, Inc., Copyright 1997-2008
"Guinea Pig Breeds",Wikipedia, Copyright 2008

Lastest Comments on White Crested Guinea Pig

Linda Sykora - 2012-04-16
Hi there, I breed the white crested guinea pigs in my home country (Czech Republic) and I am in Vancouver now for one year to improve my English. So I am looking around about the cavies you breed here too and I would like to gain some new information, experiences and contacts to breeders who are interested in this breed of cavies in this country to see yours pigs ... Thanks for your offers and reactions (please on my e-mail). Linda

  • Linda Sykora - 2012-05-07
    Is any cavy breeder interested in breeding white crested guinea pigs in British Columbia? I still look for some contacts ... Thanks for your answers on e-mail lindasykorova(at)seznam.cz, Linda
Reply
miranda haley - 2012-03-13
YAYYYY...i was right, my guinea pig WAS pregnant!!!!!! She had 2 babies :) .... but now she only has 1 :( ...because the other didnt have enough oxygen or something and she/he died. I would have helped but she gave birth during the night. :( I'm suprised she survived! I love her and the baby!
WBS (write back soon)

Reply
Miranda Haley - 2012-02-13
I love White crested guinea pigs. I have one myself. She is little but is getting bigger. I love her to death and we will be getting a young boy so that she'll have some company and maybe even have babies....but we got her a big exercise ball and she won't roll around in it. How do I make her roll around in it, because she just sits there and chews on the ball and she gets scared but we just want her to roll around in it....

  • Miranda Haley - 2012-02-16
    So your saying that I have to leave the ball open and see if she will go in it and figure it out herself???? So I don't stuff her in there and just let her do it herself? I just afraid her might be pregnant and I don't have the things for her ... I was giving her grass but, there is snow all over. >:(
  • miranda - 2012-02-14
    I'll try that today and I will tell you later maybe Thursday if it worked. Thanks. I read online that it's dangerous for guinea pigs to be in the balls, it said that they feel surrounded...but, I'll still try...thanks a lot.c ya! :)
  • Charlie Roche - 2012-02-13
    All you would normally have to do is put her in the ball. As she moves the ball rolls. You might have to do it a few times and go slow and be gentle or you will frighten her.
  • Charlie Roche - 2012-02-14
    OK let's try this with the little guy and the ball. Set the ball on the floor and in various places inside the ball put a little dab of peanut butter - just a little dab. I think she will like the peanut butter and want to lick the peanut butter which will make the ball move and she might get the idea. When she is done though make sure you wash the ball and rinc=se it really well.
  • Miranda Haley - 2012-02-14
    I've tried but she only nibbles on the ball and the ball only moves a TAD bit when she licks herself it moves but, she don't run around in it, she runs around crazy in her cage but not in the ball....
  • Charlie Roche - 2012-02-14
    Gosh then I don't know. Just went online and saw the reviews you are talking about and does say dangerous but the balls they show are actual inclosures. The guinea pig can't go in and out as they want to. The ones I had were plastic but there were large openings 4 or 6 of them that the little guy could go in and out. I didn't know there were balls that you actually put the little guy in and closed a door. I don't think I would do that. I would be real reluctant to do that. You could frighten your little fella to the point where not a pet. Imagine someone stuck you in a big ball and then closed the door and this ball started to move around. You would be frightened. The one I had was more open and the little guy could go in and out as he please or roll it etc. He wasn't stuffed in it. I think best not to do that - certainly not with that kind of ball regardless if they advertise it as a toy.
  • Miranda Haley - 2012-02-23
    Scampers is getting bigger everyday....I think she's pregnant but, my mom said that she's not. And I don't know what to do. Anyways, how was your day? Anything exciting?
Reply
Piggy Lover - 2009-01-01
We have a White Crested Guinea Pig that is currently 9 weeks old. She is a miniature version of the picture on this site. She is somewhat reserved and not incredibly vocal. She prefers to be in her little cardboard box that is lined with fleece, coming out only to eat usually. She acts very skittery when we try to pick her up but is a sweet, cuddly angel once we are holding her. We also have a male (yes, they are permanently separated and we will be adopting a companion for each of them) that is an Abyssinian, although he doesn't have "show" qualities in his coat. He is sweet and funny and very vocal. We have only had them for 3 weeks and he quickly learned the crinkling sound of the Timmothy Hay bag and the sound of the fridge door when I get their fruits/veggies. He squeals and stands on his hind legs waiting for his treats. When he is especially happy, usually after eating his fruits/veggies you can find him springing around his cage like his little feet have springs on them. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen!! They have HUGE cages that are actually indoor kennels sized for a Labrador. We used Coroplast (courrogated plastic) to make the "pans" in the bottom of the kennels. they have tons of space to run, play and hide. We will be adding ramps, additional stories and play tunnels over time. We're also going to try to affix sandpaper to the ramps for traction and also to help keep their claws naturally trimmed. Guinea Pigs definately DO NOT like slippery surfaces. It is scary to them and they will become very skittery, at least ours do. Our pigs also use the same corner of their cages to urinate and for most of thier pooping, right next to their water bottle. Even though they are in seperate cages, they each use the same exact area of their cage for a bathroom. We will be adding small corner litter boxes to make the corner cleaning easier. We also have a corner scoop, it looks like a cat litter scoop but has a rounded triangle shape to make corner cleaning easier. The pine shavings are a little messy and they get spread to the outer edges of the cage when the pigs are running around. Since they don't burrow in it and only seem to use it in their potty corner we're going to try using just sandpaper on the bottom except in the potty corner so they have traction and we don't have pine shavings on the floor all around the cage. The shavings also get stuck all over the fleece material that they love to snuggle with so much and makes it hard to come close to keeping the fabric clean. Most importantly, dont ever put a Guinea Pig in a cage with a wire bottom (like you might use for a rabbit) because the wire mesh is VERY bad for their tender little feet and they will be prone to sores on their foot pads. Guinea Pigs are absolutely the best pets ever but you must be committed to providing the pellets, Vitamin C tablets, Timmothy hay, fresh fruits/veggies and fresh water that they require on a daily basis. If you aren't willing to do that for 6-10 years as well as keeping their cages clean on at least a weekly basis please consider another pet. While Guinea Pigs don't require regular vet care, be prepared that you may have an occasional illness or emergency that can become costly. Have fun with your piggies, they are incredibly rewarding!!

  • Excited/Nervous Piggy - 2010-08-30
    Oh, gosh! That sounds so exciting! Do you think that having two dogs will scare the guinea pigs? If you choose to make a cage, then should it be really big, medium, small, or any of the above? That sounds great! I think I will get two guinea pigs!
  • Rootbeer - 2011-08-28
    I was reading your comment and it sounds like you have a wonderful and cute guinea pig......Anyway I am getting a guinea pig but I have no idea what breed of guinea to choose..I wanted an Abyssinian Guinea Pig, but I have been reading about them and it says that a Abyssinian Guinea Pigs are not friendly and bites a lot. Then I seen your comment and your Guinea Pig sounds like a sweetheart and that Abyssinian Guinea Pigs are perfect for first time owners (me). But now I don't know which is right. Am pretty sure that some Abyssinians are not friendly, but I need to be sure (100%) I thought since you had an Abyssinian Guinea Pig you could help me, Would you help me? And can you also help me answer this.. Which breed of Guinea Pigs are better Abyssinian or White Crested?

  • Miranda Haley - 2012-02-13
    I have a white crested guinea pig and she loves to bite us, but sometimes so nibbles and won't hurt as much , but she acts like everything around her is food .... Even my hair. She loves to poop and always skitters away from us but when she's in our arms, she so cuddly and is like a big fur ball,but she still bites. How can you tell if she is pregnant? She was with a larger male and older and he kinda did something with her and I pulled them away and now he's dead:( but I just don't know if she is pregnant. Please tell me how I can tell if she is pregnant without taking her to the vet......
Reply
Jazz Ojou Allen - 2011-06-15
Question: My crested princess has eye boogies, she sneezed a couple times, and I saw little parasite bug things crawling through her crest top... does my baby have lice or ticks or something, is she sick??

  • Charlie Roche - 2011-06-15
    Sounds like lice. They are white and they move. They lay eggs which are black and adhere to the fur but do not move and very hard to see. Fleas jump and very viswible and mites don't really move and lice can be common in guinea pigs. Ask your vet what you can use that is safe for your little guy. I am concerned about what can be used and the dosage. You would also need to clean out all parts of cage,m food bowls, toys etc. You don't want a reinfestation.
Reply
Jazz Ojou Allen - 2011-06-14
I don't have a white crested, just a regular brindle crested piggie and I love her to death. She's so cute and she squeaks and purs when I pet her. I could not love a child as much as I love my piggie

  • Charlie Roche - 2011-06-17
    Enjoy her and have fun.
Reply
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May 25, 2012, 11:09 am