The Silkie/Sheltie cavy is one of the longhaired breeds. Unlike the Peruvian, its fur does not grow over its head but grows from behind the ears towards the rear.
Grooming: Grooming is essential and time-consuming with this breed. They are not a cavy for beginners. They must be brushed daily with a slicker brush to keep their fur from becoming matted. If you keep their coat very long (show coat), you'll have to put it in rollers to keep your cavy from stepping on it and soiling it. This can be time-consuming. They also need frequent baths to keep all that hair clean and free of 'waste.'
Temperment: They are not as calm as shorthairs nor as high-strung as Abyssinians. They're somewhere in the middle. Satins tend to be more high-strung.
Appearance: Their noses are wide (Roman-nose) and they have long, flowing fur. They come in a variety of colors like Tortoiseshell and white, Broken (a solid color and white, like Honey and Popcorn above), and self (one color only). They also come in Satin. Satin cavies have hollow hair-shafts which gives them their shiny coat.
Lifespan: Silkie cavies live 3-6 years, but can live longer if well taken care of. Satins tend to have a shorter lifespan. |
