Where will I get it? You can find cute baby guinea pigs at almost any pet shop, but generally these aren't a good place to purchase piggies from. Many of them are neglectful with their guinea pigs and your chances of going home with a sick or accidentally pregnant piggie are high. It's much better to do a little looking around in your area to see if there are any guinea pig rescues. There are loads of unwanted and homeless guinea pigs out there who have never had a really good place to call home. Petfinder is a good site to check out if you are in the US. If you don't have a rescue near your home or want to breed or show your piggies, you are better off purchasing from a breeder. They may be a bit pricey, but if you buy from a good breeder you can be sure that you are getting a healthy, quality animal.
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How many should I get? Guinea pigs aren't very happy alone and it's best to have at least two (see Social Life.) Just be sure that the piggies you are getting are the same sex (see Sexing), or you will end up with a lot of piggies very fast. And with loads of piggies being killed in shelters every day because of overcrowding, more homeless babies is the last thing that we need.
What breed should I get? The breed of guinea pig you choose is entirely up to you. The main thing is that it's healthy. I have found that longhairs tend to shed less than shorthairs, but longhairs do need more grooming than the shorthairs do so it kind of balances out.
Should I get a boy or a girl? Each guinea pig is an individual with its own personality, which has nothing to do with sex. Generally both males and females are very gentle, sweet animals but tend to be a little shy and skittish when you're taking them out of the cage. I have found that males tend to be a little more messy and stinky than girls, and males have a grease gland that can get quite sticky (see Bathing.) Really though, whether boys or girls suit you best just depends on your preferences.
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How do I know if it's healthy? A healthy guinea pig has bright, clear eyes with no goop in the corners. It shouldn't be breathing loud, coughing, or sneezing. The coat should be clean and have a nice glossy sheen (unless it's a rex or texel guinea pig). It shouldn't have any bald spots in the coat except behind the ears and inside the forepaws. The teeth shouldn't overlap, and it shouldn't feel skinny. Some guinea pigs are more active than others, but it should be alert and not seem at all lethargic. It should be eating well, they don't call them "pigs" for no reason. Remember, keeping a guinea pig healthy after you bring it home is just as important as purchasing a healthy guinea pig in the first place. And even if a guinea pig appears healthy, you should keep it in quarantine from your current guinea pigs (different room, different cage) for at least 2 weeks in case it's carrying any hidden diseases.