Similar to the "Rex" Guinea Pig, the Texel Guinea Pig is a popular Guinea Pig that can make an excellent pet!

The Texel Guinea Pig, also known as the "Long-Haired Sheltie" is an interesting breed; recently created by expert guinea pig breeders, the Texel is essentially the long haired version of the "Rex" Guinea Pig. They are docile and calm making them excellent pets for children and guinea pig enthusiasts alike. Because of the need for more grooming than some of the shorter haired breeds the Texel may not be suitable for beginners.

The Texel is basically a longhaired version of the Rex guinea pig. They have long wavy hair that is also quite dense and soft. Their hair needs to be groomed to keep from becoming tangled or matted. The first three to four inches of the coat are straight, but once it grows longer, the hair farthest from the skin becomes crinkled. They come in a variety of colors. At birth, Texel Guinea Pigs are indistinguishable from Rex Guinea Pigs. At maturity this guinea pig reaches an average weight between 30 and 49 ounces.

The Texel is a new breed to the Guinea Pig scene and has been embraced by many breeders. Texel Guinea Pigs were developed from the longhaired Shetland breed. There has been some debate, since a paper published in 1991, which 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.

Texels are harder to care for than most guinea pig breeds. The reason for this is that they must be checked daily for the start of mats and groomed weekly to keep their coats in good condition. Their coat care is easier if they are kept on corncobs as opposed to traditional bedding such as shavings, but corncobs are more expensive. Because of their higher grooming requirements this guinea pig may be better for show or for pet owners that are serious about spending quality time with their pets.

Guinea Pigs should be fed mostly hay and pellets supplemented with fruit and vegetables. Remember that Guinea Pigs do not have the ability to naturally synthesize their own Vitamin C, so make sure their daily diet has plenty of Vitamin C in it. They enjoy the taste of carrots and melons, as well as apples and tomatoes and a variety of other vegetables and fruits. There are also a variety of commercially prepared Guinea Pig Diets. Any Guinea Pig enclosure will need at least two square feet of space inside. If you are keeping more than one, make sure that each one has at least an extra foot of room aside from the original two-foot cage size. The cage needs to have a smooth, solid floor so that your Texel's foot does not get stuck in it; they can seriously damage themselves in a cage with holes in the floor. Get a cage floor that is not absorbent; metal or plastic will work well. Anything that absorbs liquid will also absorb Guinea Pig urine, and may eventually begin to smell bad. The Texel Guinea Pig will also need a good bedding material. Many people will use wood shavings. Be careful not to get a bedding material that has a strong scent. While a scented bedding might smell nice to you, the scent may overwhelm your Guinea Pig. Newspaper will work as well, but it is not as attractive and may need to be cleaned more often. It is important to keep their cages clean. Clean cages will help to ensure the health and longevity of your Guinea Pig.

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