(WHY WE DISCOURAGE BREEDING)
Examples of the reasons why and the difficulties and serious risks involved
Expensive Vet Bills
Overpopulation
(scores of Rescues accross country are almost always full)
Stillborn Pups
Graphic PhotoWarning!
Unwanted Pups
Other Problems
25% chance of Delivery complications
20% chance of losing
your sow
Euthanasia
"lethal" pups
A: Because it the most comprehensive site on this issue and warrants reading in it's entirity.
There is an opinion against unhealthy or irresponsible breeding practices that must be upheld.
I do not wish this site to be an inspiration to people who think "Oh I want to breed pigs like that."
Until all pigs in rescues all over the world are given homes, any new breeding could be considered -
taking homes away from others who are just as deserving. We should strive to re-home all needy pigs
before bringing more into the world. I feel the same way about children. I feel it is selfish of us to
deliberately plan large families of offspring when there are hungry parentless children in our own country.
But my views on guinea pigs are what is important. I want every guinea pig to find a home without having
to be euthanized. I wish I were capable of running a rescue or giving a home to many more than I have.
Thus I cannot justify myself encouraging more breeding of guinea pigs, particularly not "backyard" breeding.
I must note that it is the practice of irresponsible breeding which I disagree with and I will not exclude pigs
owned by breeders simply because I disapprove of breeding as a whole. It does not mean I disapprove
of the person or their pigs. Any pigs of breeders are as welcome on my picture page as any other
and I will not be a judge of the owner. I may disagree with a thing someone does,
but I can still have a healthy relationship with them.
After all, I disagree with many of my family members' decisions and I still care for them.
That and the above links should cover the subject matter of the dangers of breeding.
Now a bit of info on
Developing Rare Breeds
The first Ridgebacks to appear were apparently accidents of nature. The trait was rarely uniform
and could rarely be reproduced. It is the opinion of many that little has changed. It is argued that
such a difficult breed for the breeders to develop that the risk of inbreeding problems is not
worth the trouble involved. This is what I have been told is involved in developing any new breed,
at least where I am from: First you must apply for a breeding certificate with ARBA for an intent
to develop. It takes about FIVE or SIX YEARS!!! You will have to reproduce them EXACTLY for
X number of times, then you must show them at Nationals and there has to be a certain number
shown each time (males, females, brothers, sisters, etc.) before it can ever be accepted.
Apparently It is quite an arduous process and would take years of devotion.
Now that it is obvious how dangerous it can be from info at the top of the page,
and how difficult a process it is from the previous paragraph,
We know that if one breeds recklessly it would be due to poor judgement
and not the attitudes you have been taught on this page.
We can now go on to
How Ridgy's Developed
I am still told that the majority of Ridgy pigs showing up in the U.S. are from
accidents. Possibly backyard breeding, accidental breeding or other irresponsible
practices. When this happens we cannot know wether the pig merely has a coat fault
or if he was bred from the cross mating that usually produces this breed, unless
we happen to know his parentage. Recently in Texas, we can find them in pet stores and
Rescue organizations in the area. Even if they were purposely bred, we cannot officially call
them Ridgebacks in America since they have not been accepted as a breed by the organzations
that make such judgements. I do not encourage anyone to try and accomplish this goal
in the U. S. because of my pro-rescue viewpoint. In the U. S. a ridged back pig is known as
either an Abby Mutt, or an American with a coat fault. However, owners still may
unofficially call thier pigs Ridgy Pigs or even unofficial Ridgebacks if they wish.
In the UK, and other parts of Europe, and in Ontario I am told, the Ridgeback
has become what is known as an unstandardized breed. Which means it is
a breed of cavy that has not yet been given a standard by the BCC or other
organization BUT has been recognised as a breed by the same body. In Australia
it is very close to recognition. In the areas where it is being bred purposely,
the Ridgeback is reportedly either a cross between a Peruvian and a Smooth coat,
Or a cross between an Abyssinian and a Smooth coat.
If you have obtained a little rigded pig in the U.S. from a Rescue or
pet store, chances are you have either a smooth coat pig with a
coat fault or one of the above mixes from an 'accidental' breeding.
About Telling the Origin of the Species
By telling you of their origin I may have perhaps inevitably caused at least one
previously unknowledgable person to now think they posess the means to getting
little Ridgebacked piggys by breeding their little Aby or Peruvian to their American
Shorth Hair. Of course this information is already out there for anyone to find
in various other places. So I believe that the knowledge imparted in the links at the
top of the page takes precidence by preventing more people from backyard breeding
than would have been done without its existence. As well, the deliberately boring nature
of this writing may also serve to prevent many possible breedings from the info on this page.
But I told of the Ridgeback's origin because I firmly believe the owners who
never intend to breed should not be denied information on their pig's possible
heritage simply because that information may be misused by a few ill-informed people.
I think of it this way: I have at times in my life, wished that my own
parents had not bred. At other times I have been thankful for my existence.
In eighth grade Life Science I first learned of genetics. I was thoroughly interested
to learn how I came to be born red haired when neither of my parents possessed
that trait. I discovered that the recessive trait was passed from my grandmother.
Learning of your pet's genetics can be equally as interesting.
I could have written this article in much more interesting detail,
for I had gathered a great deal more info, but
doing so might have encouraged the wrong results.
Still I feel that creating these Ridgy Pig pages was a positive
for these pigs and their current owners. They now have a place to go
to see others like theirs and know that they all share in the joy
of this unique guinea pig as a pet.
Where can I get one???
As you can see by my words all over this page, I recommend you do NOT
try to breed your own or go to a breeder asking for such a breed. It seems
that most breeders in the U.S. have decided it is too difficult a breed to
develop and the labors involved in getting a breed recognized are too
much trouble. If you think the ridged pig is cool, look first for a rescue
in your area. If one cannot be found within driving distance and you feel
you have your heart set on a ridgy pig... Please try to realize that ALL breeds
of guinea pigs are charming and cute. Rescue pigs are particularly in need
of loving homes. Though a different breed may not be what you thought
your heart desired, I am sure another adorable cutie will mean as much
to you in the end. Please try to avoid trying pet stores. Too Many pet store pigs
die in the first couple of weeks from health issues they aquired prior to purchase,
while their new owners are still trying to learn about their special care needs.
Another option for seeking the pet you desire is local ads or online pet classifieds.
Still cannot find a piggy that tugs at your heart?
Then.....
#1. Perhaps you aren't willing to drive far enough to get one from a rescue.
Or #2. You may just have to wait till one shows up,
and in the meantime content yourself to goggle at the georgeous
Ridgy pigs here and and all other types of pigs elsewhere online.
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