August 6, 2024, 7:33 am | Read time: 3 minutes
The Coronet is a long-haired guinea pig and looks like a cross between the Sheltie and English Crested breeds. It is alert, curious, and quickly becomes tame.
Appearance
The Coronet guinea pig was bred in England by crossing Shelties with the English Crested. It therefore combines the looks of both breeds: the smooth, long coat of the Sheltie and the “crown” on the forehead of the English Crested. It does not have rosettes or anything else, but it does have thick whiskers. Their coat is divided by a part that starts at the head and runs down the back to their hindquarters. It can come in a wide variety of colors.
“Coronet” means crown in English. The breed used to be called the English Crested Sheltie, but this name was soon lost.
Behavior
Coronets are playful and curious. They enjoy playing together, and the more you spend time with them, the more trusting they become. To keep them sufficiently occupied, you can make toys for them or build a small obstacle course with the help of small boards.
If you have patience and treat it as motivation, you can also teach your Coronet simple commands, such as listening to its name or going back into the enclosure when asked.
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Correct keeping & care
Like other long-haired guinea pigs, the Coronet is not suitable for keeping outdoors. Its long coat easily collects dirt from the ground and quickly becomes damp, which encourages the growth of bacteria and fungi. These can lead to inflammation and disease.
A sufficiently large enclosure is important for species-appropriate keeping. Daily exercise in a secure apartment is also recommended. Guinea pigs should never be kept alone, as they have a pronounced social behavior. They need the company of conspecifics in order to communicate with them, among other things. A group of three to four guinea pigs is recommended. A combination of one male and two to three females works particularly well. However, to avoid unwanted offspring, the male should be neutered beforehand.
The Coronet’s long coat should be carefully cleaned with a brush or comb at least every other day to prevent matting and to remove accumulated dirt. To prevent tangles from forming, it is advisable to trim their hair slightly once or twice a month.
Grooming a coronet is time-consuming. Before you buy one, you should be aware of how much time you need to invest in it. After all, guinea pigs usually live for five to eight years. Coronets are therefore not necessarily suitable for beginners, as they are often quickly overwhelmed by the intensive care required.