General Fault of Cavy

General Fault All Breed Cavy

Fault are shortcoming of imperfections that detract from the general appearance of the animal. Narrow shoulder or mid-section; Mandolin-shape; Sway-back; Bony or protruding hips; Squared or flattened hip or rump; Pinched hindquarters; Cow hocks; Specimen shedding or otherwise out if condition (but not diseased); Urine stains; Broken toenails; Poor ear carriage; Poor eye color; Flabby or overly fat; Thin and extremely poor flesh; Stray colored hairs in all varieties; Skin tags, slit or torn ears.

Note: Where, in the judge's opinion, the ears are torn or ripped due to insertion of an ear tags, it is recommended that the cavy not be penalized.

Classes and Registration Weight of Cavy

Showroom Classes and Registration Weight of Cavy

Senior Boars & Sows - Over 6 months of age, or weight over 32 ounces.

Intermediate Boars & Sows - Up to 6 month of age, or weight over 22 ounces, maximum weight 32 ounces.

Junior Boars & Sows - Up to 4 month of age, minimum weight 12 ounces, maximum weight 22 ounces.

Condition - All cavies are to have a definite appearance of health and vigor. They are to be bold and bright of eye. All animals are to have a clean and full coat, free of mats. They are to be firm in flesh, neither too fat, with soft flabby flesh; nor too thin in flesh, creating a bony effect when examined.

Breeds Cavy From The Standard

Dropping Breeds Cavy From The Standard

There must be at least twenty-five (25) cavies in particular breed shown at ARBA National Convention show (open and youth combined) during the five (5) year period immediately proceeding January 1 of the final year of the existing Standard of Perfection. At ARBA Conventions it will be  the duty of the judge to state what variety each animal entered in a grouped classification is being judged as. 

This is recorded by the ACBA for a variety count to be submitted to the ARBA to enable future grouping revisions. Count to exclude animals Disqualified from Competition or Unworthy of An Award.

Cavy Glossary

Cavy Glossary

This glossary i a definition of word or terms as applied to cavies and is not necessarily the dictionary definition. All of the following are applicable to cavies.

Agouti - A group of varieties which have a distinct Ticking Color Pattern over the entire animal, except the belly. The belly hair matches the tip color and should be clean colored and devoid of ticking.

Angel Wings - Ridge of hair standing out sideways along the back or side of a cavy. A Disqualification from competition in the American, American satin, Coronet, Silkie, Silkie Satin, Teddy, Teddy Satin, Texel, or White Crested breed.

Back Ridge - The erect ridge of hair running down the back of an Abyssinian or Abyssinian Satin, from shoulder to rump, including the mane.

Balance - 

1. Type: Shape of Conformation. An orderly and pleasing arrangement of physical characteristics so as to present a harmonious appearance.

2. Marking: Equal distribution of corresponding markings, such of color divisions in the TS/W variety and also the distribution of patches in B/C and other marked varieties.

Banded - A term referring to the color pattern on a cavy, where one color may entirely circle the body, thus forming a "band of color"

Bare Spot - A section of the cavy entirely denuded of hair.

Base Color - The color found at the base of the hair shaft -> next to the skin on agouti and solid ticked varieties.

Belly Band - Narrow belly band of the agouti cavy -> the area of the belly which has a red, orange, cream, or white surface color -> without ticking.

Also refers to the wide belly band of the Tan Cavies -> the area of the belly which has a red or orange surface color -> without ticking.

Blaze - The head marking on a Dutch cavy. The white portion of the head, covering the nose, whisker beds, and running along the jaw line. The shape is that of a wedge, tapering to the ears, between the check markings.

Bleeding - A light band of color extending under the chin. Found on Agouti and Dutch marked cavies.

Blue - Color is to be a deep gray with an even slate cast, carried to the skin; ears and foot pads to match. Eyes: Dark with Ruby cast. This refers to the Tan pattern varieties only.

Boar - A male cavy.

Bonnet Strings - Streaks of tipping color running along the jaw line in the area between the chin and ear.

Brassy - Term applied to Creams when the color is too dark and too harsh rather than the pale, delicate shade called for in the color description.

Breed - A class of domestic cavy which reproduces distinctive characteristic of markings, texture, type, size, coat pattern, etc.

Broken Coat - Guard hair that is broken or missing in spot, exposing the undercoat. Areas where the coat is affected by molt, exposing the undercoat.