Romulus rules guinea pig show
Romulus Edwina Longshanks has her hair done every week.
The pedigree guinea pig is at the centre of her owner’s attention every day.
But, that is not without its rewards. The long-haired pig took out reserve in show and best champion at the Waikato Cavy Club Christmas Championship Show at the weekend. ‘‘She’s a wee bit fancy,’’ owner Tahlia Hopkins said.
Romulus Edwina Longshanks is a texel guinea pig, with exceptionally luscious, long hair.
She wears a hair wrap 24/7, apart from when she is on show.
‘‘I use about six or eight paper towels, which I fold around sections of her hair and wrap up with a rubber band. It looks like she’s in curlers.
‘‘It’s to keep it from getting knotted and chewed out by herself and other pigs.’’
Her name comes after the stud she was purchased from – Romulus, one of the top studs in the country.
Hopkins said she was true to her texel breed and is very calm and laid back.
‘‘She has to be that way, if she was jumping around with long hair it’d be hard.
‘‘She’s had quite a lot of training, so she’s used to getting her hair done all of the time.’’
Hopkins has 50 guinea pigs at her Oakleigh Stud in Eureka, Hamilton, and spends two hours a day caring for them – on top of being a dairy farmer.
Some pigs Hopkins has paid over $100 for, but a topend pig from a good stud could command over $500, she said. ‘‘It’s all about their breeding backgrounds.’’
It’s similar with the competitions, Hopkins said.
‘‘Most of the judging is in the breeding and how the guinea pigs look on the day.’’
There’s no cross-breeding with the pedigrees, she said.
The guinea pigs entered in shows have a high quality diet full of fresh vegetables and grass for vitamin C, a high quality dry food pellet, fresh water and access to hay 24/7. They also need a lot of attention and are always kept clean, Hopkins said.
‘‘They’re pedigree animals, with generations of pure breeds which track back to great, great grandparents.’’
Hopkins said guinea pigs are a great pet for older children because they cannot be dropped and have to be treated gently. ‘‘They’re good for having cuddles on your lap while you’re watching television.
‘‘They have strong personalities and it’s quite rewarding when they become tame and social.’’
However, they are not very good at being house-trained.
Some people keep their pigs inside, but Hopkins has a big, outdoor run for hers.
‘‘It’s a nice healthy lifestyle for them and then when I’ve got babies due I’ll move them into cages indoors so I can monitor and take care of them.’’