The Peruvian Guinea Pig is a charming animal. Commonly kept as pets, these animals often compete in shows as well.

Like most guinea pigs, Peruvian Guinea Pigs are quite docile. However, they do not always make the best pets for young children simply because of the huge amount of grooming they require. At least one square foot of space should be allowed per guinea pig in a captive housing situation. Like most guinea pigs, Peruvian Guinea Pigs often do well on a diet specially developed for guinea pigs. This diet should be supplemented with fresh foods. On average, Peruvian Guinea Pigs spend about eight hours of each day sleeping.

Peruvian Guinea Pigs are characterized by their long hair. This shiny hair is often long enough to reach from the top of the animal's back down to the surface it is standing on. It usually parts straight down the back and is quite thick. There are three whorls of hair, or rosettes, on the head, and the Peruvian Guinea Pig's hair falls into its eyes if it is untrimmed. There are also rosettes present on the hindquarters of the Peruvian Guinea pig. The ears of the Peruvian Guinea Pig are relatively large and often droop downward. The eyes are also large; though these are often obscured by hair on animals in show condition. Peruvian Guinea Pigs are recognized in a variety of colors. Usually, Peruvian Guinea Pigs are about a foot long at maturity, and weigh between one and three pounds.

The ancestors of Peruvian Guinea Pigs are wild guinea pigs that still range through Peru, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay today. In the 1800s, guinea pigs were imported to Europe, where selective breeding began to pick out a number of distinctive types. The Peruvian Guinea Pig is one of these. There has been some debate, since a paper published in 1991, that centers on whether or not the Guinea Pig should be classified as a rodent. At this time they are still officially classified as rodents and will be treated as such until more information is revealed.

A Peruvian Guinea Pig should be groomed daily. When it is not being shown, you should trim the hair out of the Peruvian Guinea Pig's eyes.

Often the best time to breed a Peruvian Guinea Pig is when it is 12 weeks old. Usually, Peruvian Guinea Pigs give birth to litters containing between two and four young after 63 days elapse. Young Peruvian Guinea Pigs are usually weaned within three or four weeks and will reach sexual maturity in four or five weeks if they are female and eight to ten weeks if they are male. Estrous occurs once every two weeks, and usually there is a 15-hour window when the female Peruvian Guinea Pig is receptive to mating. It is best not to breed Peruvian Guinea Pigs any more once they are two years old.