Showing Guinea Pigs
This page contains information about:
Guinea Pig shows in New York area:
1. March 29, 2014 Empire State CNY Fulton, NY
2. April 21, 2014 Fulton War Memorial Fulton, NY
3. May 10, 2014 Fingerlakes RBA Palmyra, NY
4. June 7, 2014 Mohawk valley Double Show Fonda, NY
5. June 14, 2014 Broome Cty RBA Ithaca, NY
5. Oct 4 & 5, 2014 NYS Convention Syracuse, NY
- Local shows
- Texel Standards
- How to show Texel guinea pigs
Guinea Pig shows in New York area:
1. March 29, 2014 Empire State CNY Fulton, NY
2. April 21, 2014 Fulton War Memorial Fulton, NY
3. May 10, 2014 Fingerlakes RBA Palmyra, NY
4. June 7, 2014 Mohawk valley Double Show Fonda, NY
5. June 14, 2014 Broome Cty RBA Ithaca, NY
5. Oct 4 & 5, 2014 NYS Convention Syracuse, NY
Rabbit and Guinea Pig Associations:
Link for NY State Cavy Breeder
Link for Ohio State Association
Link for Michigan State Association
Link for the NYS Rabbit Breeders Association
Link for NY State Cavy Breeder
Link for Ohio State Association
Link for Michigan State Association
Link for the NYS Rabbit Breeders Association
Standard for Texels
There are six categories that can be entered and shown. This is a list of colors that can be shown.
Selfs:
There are six categories that can be entered and shown. This is a list of colors that can be shown.
Selfs:
- beige
- black
- chocolate
- cream
- lilac
- red
- red eyed orange
- white
How your Guinea Pig is Judged:
Your guinea pigs are judged on a point system. This consists of the following factors: type, head, coat, color, and overall condition. The judge will handle your guinea pig and determine over all type.
Your guinea pigs are judged on a point system. This consists of the following factors: type, head, coat, color, and overall condition. The judge will handle your guinea pig and determine over all type.
Showing Preparation for Texels
I am certainly no expert but, you may find this information helpful if you are just starting out.
Weaning Age and Daily Care:
Once they reach 3-4 weeks, healthy and eating on their own separate the pigs into individual cages.
Add a piece of fleece on top of horse pellets to keep the coat clean.
Feed high quality food, veggies, fruit and supplements.
Provide at least one large water bottle to each pig. Change or refill daily.
If you offer Timothy hay, place it in a confined area so that you limit the amount of particles that can get in the coat.
Gently search through the coat for any debris trapped in the hair. If you find any remove it carefully.
Spritz the coat lightly with water each day. Then, gently scrunch, the coat with your fingers to help develop the curl.
If you have to cut out a mat, cut out the least amount of hair possible.
Pick out the poops daily, if possible. Clean out "pee corners" every other day to keep odor down and ensure your piggie smells nice and stays clean.
Month Before the Show:
Week Before the Show:
Night Before the Show:
Day of the Show:
Returning from the Show:
The images below are some photos from a show.
I am certainly no expert but, you may find this information helpful if you are just starting out.
Weaning Age and Daily Care:
Once they reach 3-4 weeks, healthy and eating on their own separate the pigs into individual cages.
Add a piece of fleece on top of horse pellets to keep the coat clean.
Feed high quality food, veggies, fruit and supplements.
Provide at least one large water bottle to each pig. Change or refill daily.
If you offer Timothy hay, place it in a confined area so that you limit the amount of particles that can get in the coat.
Gently search through the coat for any debris trapped in the hair. If you find any remove it carefully.
Spritz the coat lightly with water each day. Then, gently scrunch, the coat with your fingers to help develop the curl.
If you have to cut out a mat, cut out the least amount of hair possible.
Pick out the poops daily, if possible. Clean out "pee corners" every other day to keep odor down and ensure your piggie smells nice and stays clean.
Month Before the Show:
- Determine which pigs you plan to show and what classes they can be entered into.
- Really focus on your piggie's coat. Keep up with scrunching and cage cleaning.
- Continue to offer supplements and plenty of fresh clean water.
- Sign up for the show. Make sleeping arrangments, if necessary.
- Weigh the pigs and record.
- Keep up with nails.
- Make sure the pig has an ear tag #. If your pigs are not tagged you can buy ear tag plyers and tags online. Sometimes people are kind enough to help you out at the show if you need one or two. If you breed and plan to show regularly you should buy a set for yourself!
- Make sure you have enough carriers. One for each pig. You can buy metal ones or make plastic carriers with ventilation. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Costs vary depending on size and material. They can be purchased online.
- Label each cage with: Your name, your phone number, your stud name, the pigs name, gender and ear tag #.
- You will also need a show stand. This is a wooden tray with hand holes in the sides. They are covered in a fine "craft" burlap. They can be purchased online or made. They need to be 16 x 16 x 4. There is a picture of one below. They cost approximately $15-20.00. If you plan to show four you want to have at least 2-4 stands.
- You may choose to bring and wear an apron. They are handy for keeping track of first aid supplies, pens, grooming supplies, and other odds and ends. Some people wear personalized aprons displaying the name of their stud.
Week Before the Show:
- Bathe the pig. Do not use shampoo with conditioners or silicones. They will cause the coat to take on a thin appearance reducing the look of density.
- You can add a "detangler" or "curl enhancer" but, with caution. Dilute the product with a lot of water. If you use too much curl enhancer it will reduce the look of density, in the same way conditioners do.
- Keep the pig on clean towels. Change towels daily. Clean out "poop and pee corners" daily.
- Check nails and clip them if necessary.
- Spritz with water daily and scrunch the coat once a day. The shine, curl and density will return.
- Create a show folder. You should include a copy of the show catalog, map or directions to the show, list of things to bring, and other important information you think you might need.
- Clean/sterilize carrier tubs
Night Before the Show:
- Make the master list of things that includes the following:
- Labeled carriers, lined with towels, with proper pigs in each one.
- Show stands and Cart for moving several cages
- Table/chairs(may not always be allowed, check the show catalog for space restrictions.)
- Water bottles
- Bag of rabbit food
- Bag of mixed veggies
- Extra towels
- Nail clipper
- Ear tag pliers and number tags
- white tape (write ear tag # and put on other ear)
- Spray bottle with water
- Corn Starch or quick-stop
- Map to get to the show
- Show Standard book
- Clip board, Show folder with catalog, membership cards, and other information.
- Pens and black sharpie markers
- Money, gas in car, water and snacks.
- Camera, make sure its charged and has SD card.
- Apron with pockets
- Bring a friend. They can help take pictures and with loading things into and out of the car. It is also nice to have someone to talk to when you wait for your class. Lastly, if you are showing more than one pig in the same class, it is nice to get help shuttling pigs from your carriers to the hands of the judge in a timely fashion.
Day of the Show:
- Get items together day before, get a good nights sleep, get up early, and hit the road on time.
- Arrive as early as you are allowed if you have more than one animal.
- Unload and get a space on the floor to set up your pigs.
- Get signed in with the secretary.
- Find out when your classes will be held.
- Watch the judge handling other animals. Listen to the comments they make. The information is important.
- Groom pigs just before their class. If you spritz them with water it has to be dry before they get in front of the judge. Take them out of their carrier carefully. Check their coat for mats and make sure their underside is clean. Place them on the stand.
- If you have white animals don't give them carrots or other food that will discolor their coat.
- Lots of handling will cause frizziness and reduce curl. Less you mess with them the better.
- When they call your class. Put pig on stand and walk them up to the judging station.
- If your pig wins in their class, they will be asked to come back up again to be judged against the other class winners for best in show. Your pig will compete against different types of guinea pigs. The winner will be the one that best meets the characteristics.
- I encourage you to talk to other people who show texels. Learn things from them about the breed standard, what they think of your pigs to help you improve.
- Also, listen to what the judge has to say about your pigs. If individual pigs are lacking in certain areas you can use this information to help you select future pairings.
- Lastly, have fun!
Returning from the Show:
- Quarantine and treat for mites. Watch animal for a couple of days. Showing may be stressful.
The images below are some photos from a show.
March 29, 2014 Show
Fulton, NY War Memorial
NYS Rabbit Breeders Association
In this show Fancy, was in a class by herself. She won best of class best of breed.
Fulton, NY War Memorial
NYS Rabbit Breeders Association
In this show Fancy, was in a class by herself. She won best of class best of breed.