season. Thanks all, for the friendship and
comradery, hope to see you all at our spring show
in Rapid City.
The ARBA and ACBA both have rules which must be followed in order
to show your cavy. Cavies need not be pedigreed, but must conform to
the Standard of Perfection (available for purchase from the ARBA) All
cavy judges use these guidelines. If you are serious about showing,
then learning what your cavy needs to conform to is a great help.
There are 13 recognized cavy breeds as described in the Cavy Breeds section on this site.
The ONLY colors in which they may be shown are:
SELFS: Beige, Black, Chocolate, Cream, Lilac, Red-Eyed Orange (REO), Red and White
SOLIDS: Brindle, Roan, Solid Dilute, Solid Golden and Solid Silver
MARKED: Broken Color, Dalmatian, Dutch, Himalayan, TortoiseShell and TortoiseShell&White
AGOUTIS: Dilute Agouti, Golden Agouti and Silver Agouti
*There are some varieties in which the White Crested may not be shown due to the fact that
the ONLY place it may have white is in the crest. They cannot be shown in:
Self White, Roan, Dalmatian, Dutch, Himalayan, TSW, and those broken colors containing
white as part of their color.
Every cavy must be entered into the proper class in order to be shown. All you need to do is invest in
a kitchen scale and simply weigh your cavy to know what class it should be shown in.
JUNIOR
Up to 4 months of age, minimum weight 12 ozs. and maximum weight 22 ozs
INTERMEDIATE
5 and 6 months of age, minimum weight 22 ozs. and maximum weight 32 ozs
SENIOR
Over 6 months of age and weight over 32 ozs
JUST A NOTE: If your cavy is 5 months old and only weighs 20 ounces, then you should enter it
into the JUNIOR class because if the judge should happen to weigh it and it does not make
INTERMEDIATE weight, it will be disqualified. On the same token, if your cavy is only 4 months old
and weighs 24 ounces, then you should enter it into the INTERMEDIATE class because if you
enter it into the JUNIOR class, it will be disqualified for being overweight.
Faults are simply shortcomings or imperfections that detract from
the general appearance of the animal, however, it can still be shown.
FAULTS:
1. Shedding (out of condition)
2. Urine stains
3. Broken toenails
4. Poor ear carriage
5. Poor eye color
6. Flabby or overly fat
7. Thin/poor flesh
8. Eye circles
9. Stray colored hairs in all varieties
10. Slit or torn ears
DISQUALIFICATIONS:
1. Any diseased animal: Colds, vent disease, tumor, rupture, sore eyes, noticeably running
eyes, boil, abscess (raw or infected sore), fungus growth (ringworm), mange or scruffy
condition with large flakes resembling dandruff or scale at the roots of the hair, heavy
infestation of parasites (such as mites, lice, ticks or fleas), bare spots (or spots where hair
should be), impaction in boars.
2. Any deformed animal: Potbelly, sows or boars having more than or less than two teats,
boars not showing both testicles in normal condition, broken or missing tooth/teeth, deformed
teeth, malocclusion, any deformities such as crooked legs, or other than four toes on the front
feet and three toes on the back, full toenail missing where color cannot be determined, sows
heavy with young.
3. Any animal entered in wrong class: Any cavy entered in the wrong class by sex, variety or
breed, overaged animal in Junior or Intermediate classes, under 12 ounces or over 22 ounces
in Junior classes, under 22 ounces or over 32 ounces in intermediate classes, under 32 ounces
in senior classes.
4. Any animal not adhering to the standard: Incorrect color variety (correct color specified in
the Breed/Variety standard), lack of permanent identification in left ear by an ARBA approved
ear tag, (size 001 or 003 monel metal ear tag), patches of foreign hair color consisting of 6 or
more hairs (in all color varieties), patches of foreign skin color (where the color does not
correspond to the variety), white toenail or nails in self, solid, and agouti colored varieties
(except when called for), rosettes or parts of rosettes in any part of the coat of
American/American Satin/Coronet/Silkie/Silkie Satin/Teddy/Teddy Satin/Texel or White Crested,
ridges of hair not lying flat on smooth coated animals, ears/feet/toenails not matching variety
description, side whiskers (rosettes or parts of rosettes).
5. Altering the fur in any way: Dying, plucking, trimming or foreign substance on the coat, wet
animals such as from water or grooming preparations designed to alter the natural condition or
appearance (not to include accidental stains or debris such as from urine, food, or bedding
with which the animals may have been in contact), any faking designed to alter the natural
condition or appearance.
You should never put an ear tag in a babys' ear because the ear is paper
thin and will not support it. Wait until the baby is at least 8 to 10 weeks
old. When they are old enough to be shown, then they are old enough for an
ear tag.
In order for your cavy to become a Grand Champion, it must win at shows that are
ARBA sanctioned. There must be at least five cavies entered in its class with at least two other
competitors (besides yourself). This makes for a full class and a "leg" may be earned toward
Grand Champion status, (a "leg" is a slip of paper stating your win, how many cavies were
entered and how many competitors).
If yours is the only one in its class, then you will win a first place ribbon, provided it is
worthy of an award, (if not, then the judge will simply state "unworthy of an award"). A first
place ribbon is far better than it being unworthy.
Once you have earned three legs, you can begin the process of sending in your information
to the ARBA to get your pig registered as a Grand Champion. All the information that you
need for this process is stated on the back of your leg slip.
