Protect our New Zealand Rare Pedigree Guinea Pig Breeds

Our club is devoted to advocate and support New Zealand unique and rare pedigree guinea pig (cavy) breeds.  Learn about the breeds with our facts and pictures.

We use the word 'unique' to describe pedigree breeds that were created in New Zealand and achieved full show standards.

Our unique guinea pig breeds are New Zealand Plume, Tweed, Panda, New Zealand Peruvian and Bonnet.   Additionally, we support any rare breeds when needed, like the Dark Eyed White.

Unfortunately, breed preservation is needed to protect and save our beloved unique breeds from disappearing.  We must save the New Zealand breeds we have, so future generations can enjoy them too.  Our club is also advocating that New Zealand breeds deserve to have equal status, rights and opportunities for exhibition with all other pedigree breeds at cavy shows across the country.

We provide an amazing resource of information, and we hope you join us at supporting our unique and rare breeds.

The Unique and Rare Breeds

New Zealand Plume Unique and Rare Cavy Breed

New Zealand Plume

New Zealand Plume was created in 1976 in Wellington.  With a well raised ridge about 1cm in height and progressing from the shoulders straight down the body and sharply rising in length to form a high-arched, luscious rooster tail.  Find out more on New Zealand Plume Cavy Breed.

Panda

One of the many appeals of this 30-year-old unique breed is the contrast between hair and visible skin.  All hair is white without masking, with exposed skin as black as possible.  Panda has black eyes, ears, mouth, nostrils and foot pads.  Find out more about the Panda Cavy Breed.

Bonnet

New Zealand's extinct pedigree breed.  Created in Whangarei by a cavy judge over 20 years ago.  The cavy had ruffles, rosettes and reverse growing hair.  It is devastating this breed could not be saved in time.  Find out more about the Bonnet Cavy Breed.

Tweed

Tweed is the epic new pedigree breed that achieved full show standards in 2016 by the New Zealand Cavy Judges Association.  With an even mixture of chocolate and white hair and named after the tweed material.  Created by senior cavy judge Christa Krey.  Find out more on Tweed Cavy Breed.

New Zealand Peruvian

New Zealand's real longhair cavy breed with their long flowing locks falling from one of the two centre back rosettes with their luscious hair brushed into a beautiful full circle. This 50-year-old breed was created in Wellington.  Find out more on New Zealand Peruvian Cavy Breed.

Dark Eyed White

We currently support this rare but not unique breed.  Dark Eyed White with pure snow-white coat and dark eyes which look quite remarkable together.  There is also a satin and a crested version.  Find out more about the Dark Eyed White Cavy Breed.

Why do New Zealand Guinea Pig Breeds Need More Support?

Sadly, in 2015 there were several Independent Cavy Club members concerned about the situation the New Zealand breeds were in.  They were disappearing from cavy shows, barely any breeders, and there was unnecessary negativity.  It was an unfortunate time for NZ breeds back then.

This club has been around for 10 years now, and the committee has worked hard to raise awareness and advocate for our NZ guinea pig breeds.  Devastatingly, the unique breed named the 'Bonnet' was declared a lost breed in 2024 and is extinct.  However, overall, the current situation is much better, we have more breeders working with at least one of the breeds.  They are exhibited in more cavy shows.  There is currently no other NZ breed at risk of extinction.  Though, we need more breeders and exhibitors as numbers are low.  We have made big improvements, but there is still more we can do.

Independent Cavy Clubs are the only clubs that have always and continue to support New Zealand unique guinea pigs.  Please visit or exhibit with an Independent Club.

Rare Guinea Pig at NZ Cavy Show

CLUB NEWS

The NEW Tweed video is up on YouTube! This video is created by the NZ Tweed creator, Christa Krey.  This is the third breed video uploaded to date with more coming.  Please watch, like and subscribe to support the club!

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

•  Show your support and join our private Facebook Group and subscribe to us on our new YouTube channel

•  Learn about the breeds, their history, genetics etc

•  Visit or exhibit at an Independent Cavy Club show

•  Become a member with your local Independent Cavy Club

•  Keep and share our club brochure and poster

DOWNLOAD

Club Brochure

nz-unique-rare-guinea-pigs-brochure-2024.pdf nz-unique-rare-guinea-pigs-brochure-2024.pdf
Size : 180.742 Kb
Type : pdf

 Print Settings: use landscape, print on both sides, flip on short edge, front to back.

Club Poster

New Zealand Cavy Club 1970's

Featuring a New Zealand Plume at New Zealand Cavy Club show in the 1970's.

INDEPENDENT CAVY CLUBS

Exhibiting guinea pigs is a rewarding, challenging and fun hobby and is great for people of all ages.  A lovely way to bond with your guinea pigs and to keep an eye on their health and hopefully win some titles, championship points, ribbons and prizes together.

Independent Clubs are the only cavy clubs that support our New Zealand unique and rare pedigree breeds and the exhibitors who wish to breed and show them.

The New Zealand Cavy Judges Association (NZCJA) was formed in 1976 with NZCJA judges officiating at New Zealand cavy shows ever since.  With each pedigree breed equal to each other, our exhibitors have the freedom to pursue any breed they gravitate towards.

There are several pedigree and pet shows happening throughout the year.  New members and visitors are always welcome.

LOCATIONS

•  The Northern Rabbit and Cavy Club - WHANGAREI

•  Hamilton and Waikato Area Guinea Pig Club - HAMILTON

•  Taranaki Cavy Group - NEW PLYMOUTH

•  New Zealand Cavy Club - LEVIN

•  Capital Cavy Club - WELLINGTON

•  North Canterbury Guinea Pigs - RANGIORA

For more details on each Independent Cavy Clubs across New Zealand

BACK TO TOP

NEW ZEALAND PLUME

TWEED

PANDA

NEW ZEALAND PERUVIAN

    BONNET

DARK EYED WHITE

INDEPENDENT CAVY CLUBS

CONTACT

© New Zealand Unique and Rare Guinea Pigs 2015 - 2025