century from South America to Europe. Rosette guinea pigs belong to the oldest breeds. Around 1880 the first animals with whorls (rosettes) in the coat appeared in England. They quickly found enthusiastic followers, who began to systematically breed the new breed.
Rosette guinea pigs are only known in Germany. Outside Germany they are Abyssinian called. How they got this name, no one knows.
Appearance
For the breed come all recognized colors and drawings in front of. The piggies have a broad, muscular, relatively short body. A broad shoulder is also emphasized.
The head should be compact, with a rounded mouth and slightly curved nose bone. The ears have a slight wave. Are close. Large, round eyes give the face an alert, intelligent expression.
They short haired breed. Their fur is up to 3,5 cm long. It is dense and fine and feels rough and harsh. This coat forms the typical rosettes, which gave the breed its name.
In the breed standard at least 8 rosettes per animal requires. A few Meeries manage 10 or even 12 rosettes. These animals are especially popular with exhibitors and breeders and are accordingly valuable.
Rosettes, which have "only" 6 vertebrae, are often sold for a good price. They are not suitable for further breeding. This does not mean that they are not equally adorable and affectionate for the hobby owner. they just do not correspond exactly to the breed requirements.
Of the 8 rosettes, 4 are on the body, 2 on the hindquarters and 2 on the hips. In exceptional cases, there are 2 small vertebrae above the nose.
Now rosette is not equal rosette. They should be a Form a clear center, be circular and clearly defined from each other.
In addition, they have on the body symmetrically distributed are. Two adjacent rosettes form a so-called comb. The hairs push each other up. With individual specimens can have a whisker appear.
If a piglet does not have the required 4 vertebrae on its body, but only 2, it is called a rosette Ridgeback called. The name comes from English, ridge means comb and back back. Their hair does not stick out to the side, but is pushed upwards and forms a single comb on their backs.
Acquisition and keeping
The posh little animals with the poppy hairstyle are robust and with the short coat easy to maintain.
They adapt the time for their main activities to the living conditions of their humans. They quickly learn to be awake and active exactly when their owners have time for them.
The rodents reproduce quickly. If a population explosion in the enclosure is to be avoided, either only females or females with one or two neutered bucks should be acquired.
Cage and equipment
Each rosette needs at least 0.5 m² floor space in the cage. The enclosure can be built with pleasure several floors. The animals like to climb. stairs, stairways or branches provide them with opportunities to reach the different floors. Provide variety tubes attached to the outside, through which the piggies can walk.
There must be at least one hiding place for each animal. These can be commercially available huts or burrows. The fur balls gladly accept cork tubes, cuddle rolls, fabric tunnels or igloos. Crafty guinea pig owners with a little skill make appropriate facilities from twigs, roots or small boards. The same material can be used to create opportunities for climbing and exploring.
These toys should be changed from time to time. In autumn a handful of dry leaves is sufficient. The rodents are busy for hours. In the cage may Hammocks in no case missing. The animals like to lie and doze in them.
Branches of willows, poplars, birches, beeches, fruit trees or hazelnut bushes should be constantly in the enclosure. On it the Rosettchen can grind off their constantly growing again teeth by gnawing.
A hay rack, a food bowl and a bowl for water complete the equipment. If it is a larger group of animals, there should be several feeding places. Otherwise it can happen that the lower-ranking rosettes are bitten away and do not get enough food.
If the cage is not on the floor, a stairway in the form of a non-slip board should be installed. Then the animals do not have to be taken in the hand, if they are allowed to go out to the free run.
Requirement to the attitude
Species appropriate husbandry
Rosettchen do not want to be alone. As group animals they need contact with other guinea pigs. They can be guinea pigs of other breeds, the important thing is that they are guinea pigs.
rabbits are not a substitute for conspecifics. Although they have similar requirements for keeping and care, they do not speak the same language.
Meeries communicate a lot with each other. They communicate with sounds and through body language. This does not work with rabbits. The owner, may it still so much with its Rosettchen occupy, is just as little suitable.
If there are several males in the group, they should be neutered. Otherwise it often comes to biting among them. This brings stress to the whole group. To the species-appropriate attitude belongs daily, extensive free access in the apartment.
Your enclosure must be located so that it is not exposed to the sun. Directly next to the warm heater is also to be avoided. Here it quickly becomes too warm for the rodents.
free-range
As a shorthaired breed, the animals be kept outside the whole year. They should have access to protected, dry shelters have. For the Shady areas are important in summer.
The group must consist of have at least 3, better 4 or 5 individuals exist. In winter they keep each other warm by snuggling together. The Enclosure including run must be secured, to keep away predators (cats, foxes, martens, birds of prey).
Care
The cage must have cleaned weekly become. The bedding is completely changed in the process. The coop corner should be cleaned daily.
Your Coat maintain rosettes themselves, combing or brushing is not necessary. In exceptional cases, litter gets caught in the rosettes and the animals cannot get it out. In that case the keeper must help with a small brush.