It's a long shot as I don't think I have ever seen anyone mention that they breed/exhibit guinea pigs (cavies), but does anyone know if breeders are willing to let you pick up a couple of piggies at a show? I know it is common practice between exhibitors to do this. I am only interested in a few breeds and often the litters I see available are a fair way from me. I just wondered if we might be able to reduce distance by collecting from a show closer to where we live. We only want them as pets, so want a couple of sows, but would consider a couple of boars (breed more important than gender). Haven't liked to ask the breeders yet, in case it seems cheeky!
Not interested in getting them from a pet shop - would always go to a breeder. We did when we purchased our two current rabbits and have done so for guinea pigs in the past (the guinea pigs have died).

> I don't think I have ever seen anyone mention that they breed/exhibit guinea pigs (cavies)

I had a stud of 300 Long Coats for many, many years.  Breeding, showing and judging.  So we are about!  :-)

I know that there are ex-exhibitors on here, and a couple who currently keep cavies.  It was the norm for stock to be sold at shows.  It was only the dedicated who would travel miles to stand in a shed for 4 hours talking pigs!  :-)

Find out where your local cavy show is held, I am sure that you will get friendly help.

Yep that is how it was in my days showing Rabbits you took your surplus show stock to sell at shows (if you weren't eating them ;)).

Also if you find an exhibitor of the breed your interested in at the show you can arrange to either visit them or meet with them at the next show.  Local societies used to have monthly/bi-monthly shows.

Ah thanks Jean, that is great to know and my goodness 300 !  I do prefer the longer coats or any with a "funky" kind of coat, I must say, not a fan of the smooth coated really.
I have travelled 40 miles in the past for some guinea pigs, (not far at all when you think of what we do in dog breeding!) but still if I can manage to purchase two or three at a local show that would be better.
Hopefully a northern cavy club member will be able to help me :-)

Thanks Barbara, I did know exhibitors exchanged stock at shows, I just wasn't sure if they would sell them there to a pet owner. I just need to find out when the next show is that is most local to me :-) .

> I just wasn't sure if they would sell them there to a pet owner.

That is how you get new exhibitors LOL  If a pet owner has taken the trouble to attend a show they are not just likely to be buying on a whim.

Whereabouts are you? Most of the agriculturals have cavy classes but I have noticed this year - most have a 'no sale pens' rule - it would be easier I think to search for the breed club of your chosen breed and contact breeders through there. (much the same as with dogs :) ) I know quite a few breeders in the North West - Facebook is also a window on breeders lines and there are quite a few groups for the sale & exchange of stock :) that could be collected from shows, & I now frequently get requests from all over and have regular courier visits to collect rabbits - although there are a few couriers I avoid.

Hi I am in Merseyside. I have now found a breeder/exhibitor in my home town through the Cavy breeder website and she may have some available in 6 weeks and has said she will keep me posted. I did mean that if I could reserve 2-3 from a breeder that is not that local to me and then just collect at a show, rather than expect there to be any for sale generally there. Will have a look on fb too thanks, just in case this lady ends up with nothing available. I do like a few breeds, the teddies, rex, texels and the swiss, but would consider others - apart from the smooth coated selfs :-)

Yes,  of course Barbara - same as in dogs, but I hadn't looked at it that way! Thanks :-)

if you get stuck - give us a shout :) PS my favs are Texels :)

Thanks very much, I will do :-)
Can I just ask you, do you find there are temperament differences between the breeds at all? We had a gorgeous Rex called Cookie and she was so sweet, my favourite of all, I still think of her although she died 7 years ago :-(  our aby's were very cheeky and quite friendly and the dutch one we had was the least friendly really. I did read somewhere that the longer coated breeds tend to be friendlier than the smooth coats but not sure if there is any real truth in it?

I did mean that if I could reserve 2-3 from a breeder that is not that local to me and then just collect at a show, rather than expect there to be any for sale generally there.

I can't see that would be a problem, in fact I even collected a dog at a show 2 years ago!, but yes, it is no longer allowed for small pets to be for sale at shows. Before you could go and find pens full of sale stock, that's no longer the case.

Thanks Goldmali, that is good to know, it may end up being my best option to get the breed(s) I want :-)
Tbh it is just as well there are no longer pens full of stock for sale at shows, as I doubt I would come back with just the 2 or 3 I am looking for!  ;-)

Some shows hold auctions, i went to the bredford small animal show (was showing mice) and the rabbits had an auction at that show. Some of the mice shows have auctions classes as well. I dont know if Gpigs are the same, but i think with the mice one you need to be a club member to bid on the animals.

Yes, stock is pre booked and exchanged at shows all the time.

I keep selfs (smooth coat, all one colour).

Know of quite a lot of dog showing people who also have cavies.

Thanks for that, I just need to find out when and where any up and coming shows are, I guess. Interesting to discover that cavies are quite popular amongst the dog showing people too :-)

Also, I would be more than happy to join a cavy club if it helped me get the breed(s) I am looking for. Thanks to everyone for their helpful advice.

Just happen to have "Cavies" magazine right next to me...

If you subscribe to Cavies, you will get details of all shows and all the breed clubs. Chap to contact is Tony O'Neill and the email address is cavies.magazine@blueyonder.co.uk

I'm at a cavy show tomorrow and will be meeting up with 2 other exhibitors in my dog breed alone!

The National Cavy Club has a website, as have most of the breed societies and a lot of the local clubs.

Thanks very much for that, I will drop them an email over the weekend.

I genuinely had no idea that showing cavies would be popular with people who show their dogs, small world lol.

Have been on the cavy breeder website, not sure if this is the national club one, or a totally unconnected site - will go and have another look.

Cavybreeder is a fun site, but there is little way of knowing whether the determined opinions are from experts with 30 years experience, or 18 months....

The National Cavy Club site is completely separate.

Happy reading!

Ah ok fair enough, I will search the club site then, thanks ;-)

Just a little update. Thanks again to everyone who gave advice on this thread :-) We collect our two Teddy sows a week on Friday, from a dedicated breeder/exhibitor who lives 5-10 mins away by car. One is gold/white, the other is black/gold/white :-)  Can't wait!