Genetics and Color Breeding
The study of genetics is an important asset to any breeder. Understanding how to select and breed for certain colors, type, health and personality will improve the breed and ensure that they have a good quality of life. It will also reduce the numbers of babies born due to an increase in accuracy. Before we discuss the genetics of color it is important to delve into background information so that the chart has meaning.
Reproductive cells (egg and sperm) contain DNA. Each guinea pig is born with two copies of every gene it needs to look and function like a guinea pig. It acquired one copy from its mother and the other copy from its father.
The DNA contains four molecules that form a code. Each gene is made up of a certain arrangement of these four molecules. Each gene is different. A gene contains information for making a protein. Proteins instruct the body to look and act a certain way. Some of the proteins help to make enzymes and pigment that colors the guinea pigs hair.
Some genes are dominant; other genes are recessive. This means that since there are two copies of each gene, if the guinea pig has one that is dominant and the other that is recessive, then the dominant gene will be activated. The protein that is coded by that gene will be created. For example: let’s say you had a guinea pig that had the gene for agouti coloring and also had the gene for black. It would be represented by the genotype (alleles) Aa. The capital letter A is dominant over the lower case letter a, for black. The baby would look agouti in color because the gene was activated when the baby was developing in the mother. The baby’s body produced pigment to make it Agouti.
There are many genes that govern the hair color, length, curl, wiriness, shine, temperament, health, longevity and body type of a guinea pig. Some of these genes can blend, can cancel another out, and sometimes there are many genes working together at the same time that result in traits that we see (phenotype).
Below you will find information about the different types of genotypes and phenotypes found in guinea pigs. I used many websites to gather this information and it is by no means exhaustive:
Genetics information
Genetics information (Genotypes)
Identification Site
Cavy Genetics (Mini Fluff Rabbitry)
Identification Color TYPES
Reproductive cells (egg and sperm) contain DNA. Each guinea pig is born with two copies of every gene it needs to look and function like a guinea pig. It acquired one copy from its mother and the other copy from its father.
The DNA contains four molecules that form a code. Each gene is made up of a certain arrangement of these four molecules. Each gene is different. A gene contains information for making a protein. Proteins instruct the body to look and act a certain way. Some of the proteins help to make enzymes and pigment that colors the guinea pigs hair.
Some genes are dominant; other genes are recessive. This means that since there are two copies of each gene, if the guinea pig has one that is dominant and the other that is recessive, then the dominant gene will be activated. The protein that is coded by that gene will be created. For example: let’s say you had a guinea pig that had the gene for agouti coloring and also had the gene for black. It would be represented by the genotype (alleles) Aa. The capital letter A is dominant over the lower case letter a, for black. The baby would look agouti in color because the gene was activated when the baby was developing in the mother. The baby’s body produced pigment to make it Agouti.
There are many genes that govern the hair color, length, curl, wiriness, shine, temperament, health, longevity and body type of a guinea pig. Some of these genes can blend, can cancel another out, and sometimes there are many genes working together at the same time that result in traits that we see (phenotype).
Below you will find information about the different types of genotypes and phenotypes found in guinea pigs. I used many websites to gather this information and it is by no means exhaustive:
Genetics information
Genetics information (Genotypes)
Identification Site
Cavy Genetics (Mini Fluff Rabbitry)
Identification Color TYPES
How do I Determine My Guinea Pigs Genotype?
1. Determine the correct color of your guinea pig.
2. If you have access to an accurate pedigree determine the genotype of as many family members as possible.
3. Write in the genotypes on the pedigree.
4. Determine the possible genotype of your guinea pig based on lineage and colortype.
See example below:
2. If you have access to an accurate pedigree determine the genotype of as many family members as possible.
3. Write in the genotypes on the pedigree.
4. Determine the possible genotype of your guinea pig based on lineage and colortype.
See example below:
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Pedigree generated by PedigreeQuery.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Developing a Good Breeding Program
1. Purchase healthy animals that are as close to standard, or better, as possible.
2. Provide your animals with the best care that you can. Meet their dietary, social, and housing needs. Furthermore, guinea pigs are not machines; do not over breed them. Your goal should be improvement of your lines over time not to make profit.
3. Acquire animals with accurate pedigrees where possible. You want to know what genes your guinea pigs carry.
4. Educate yourself on breeding and genetics. Focus your breeding efforts on one or two lines only. For instance: a self-red and a red and white line. Trying to tackle too many lines limits your space, funds and energy.
5. Keep careful records. Record everything: how long the boar and sow were paired, date of birth, Color type, document with photographs, number born, health issues, weights, litters, pedigrees, ear numbers, etc., It really pays to invest in a record keeping system. There are a lot of good ones out there too.
Sample Pedigree File
Sample Breeding/Litter Record
6. Maintain a connection with others who are more skilled than you are in the field of breeding and showing so that you can get help looking at how your lines are changing as you work with them over the years. It helps to participate in associations, social media and showing.
· American Cavy Breeders Association http://acbaonline.com/
· American Rabbit Breeders Association https://www.arba.net/
2. Provide your animals with the best care that you can. Meet their dietary, social, and housing needs. Furthermore, guinea pigs are not machines; do not over breed them. Your goal should be improvement of your lines over time not to make profit.
3. Acquire animals with accurate pedigrees where possible. You want to know what genes your guinea pigs carry.
4. Educate yourself on breeding and genetics. Focus your breeding efforts on one or two lines only. For instance: a self-red and a red and white line. Trying to tackle too many lines limits your space, funds and energy.
5. Keep careful records. Record everything: how long the boar and sow were paired, date of birth, Color type, document with photographs, number born, health issues, weights, litters, pedigrees, ear numbers, etc., It really pays to invest in a record keeping system. There are a lot of good ones out there too.
Sample Pedigree File
Sample Breeding/Litter Record
6. Maintain a connection with others who are more skilled than you are in the field of breeding and showing so that you can get help looking at how your lines are changing as you work with them over the years. It helps to participate in associations, social media and showing.
· American Cavy Breeders Association http://acbaonline.com/
· American Rabbit Breeders Association https://www.arba.net/