Mohair
Mohair Guinea Pig Breed Profile
Fur | Long, curly |
Rosettes | 8 |
Characteristics | None |
Lifespan | 4-6 years |
Suitable for | Experienced owners |
Breed Characteristics
The Mohair is like a curly-haired Angora and comes from a cross between a Texel and an Angora. It has a wavy coat that falls to the side from the spine. It has at least six but ideally eight whorls (rosettes). Like many long-haired guinea pigs, the Mohair can be slightly quieter and shyer than short-haired guinea pigs. But they’re just as happy, cheerful and curious. Mohairs are yet to be officially recognized. They’re a completely new breed that is different from the others but their “breed standard” has to be established first.
Fur Care
Like all long-haired guinea pigs, Mohairs like to clean themselves a lot! They don’t always manage to keep their fur clean, so it makes sense to give them a helping hand. You should carefully brush them with a soft brush every day. Their coats should also be trimmed and any knots removed once to twice a month.
How to Keep Them
As a long-haired guinea pig, the Mohair is not suitable for keeping outdoors. You might think that their long, dense coats would keep them warm in the cold, but there’s another reason behind why this is a bad idea. First let’s clear one thing up:
Can Guinea Pig Be Kept Outdoors in Winter?
Yes! This is actually fine. But only under certain conditions. The guinea pigs must be complexly healthy and not pregnant. Their hutches must have well-insulated little houses inside that have either heat pads or heating if it gets below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). And the animals shouldn’t constantly be taken into the house and back outside again, or they’ll get temperature shock. If you’re interested in keeping animals outdoors, you should get a comprehensive guide.
Back to the Mohair: its dense coat might keep this pet warm as it’s so long, but it drags along the ground picking up more and more (damp) dirt and muck, which can often cause illness.
Fun Facts
“Mohair” is what the hair of the Angora goat is called. It’s incredibly lightweight and silky.