Classy Cavies

While I think that Lunkaryas are one of the most beautiful breeds of Guinea Pig I am biased so here is some more factual information about the Lunkarya breed.

Lunkarya's are a newly emerging breed in the UK, originating in Stockholm, Sweden since 1986. Monica and Annika Lundgvist discovered the gene when a unique guinea pig was offered for sale at their pet shop. One of the boys was an usually-curly long-hair and the parents were normal Abyssinians. They paired him with a Peruvian and the offspring were long-haired curlys. It soon became apparent after many matings, the curly gene was dominant.

Currently there is a very limited source of information and only a select few breeders, mainly Swedish, are continuing the breed.

The Lunkarya is carried by a dominant gene similar to the Rex gene (England), Teddy gene (America) and the CH teddy gene (Switzerland).

It is a unique gene for several reasons:
* It is the first time a 'curly' gene has risen in a long-haired cavy - previous 3 as cited above were all short haired (or semi-longhaired hair for CH teddy).
* It is also the first dominant gene for 'curly' hair. The 'curly' is a short-haired Lunkarya! The Lunkarya refers to the Peruvian combination.
* The skin is very harsh, which helps result in the 'high-standing' of hair.
* A pup is easily recognisable after birth due to 'hard curls' and often the hair shaft will break off due to the harshness. As time progresses, the hair becomes rougher, thicker and stands.
* It is possible to brush out the curls, however they will return - unlike a Texel.
* The strength and elasticity of the hair differs from Alpaca's, Texel's and Merino's. The hair is comparable to sheep!

The Lunkarya is pronounced 'lunka-ree-a'.
They do not cope well in hot weather and require AIR-CONDITIONING!

It is possible to cross-breed the Lunkarya gene with other long-hairs (Sheltie, Coronet). Obviously, the offspring will not be true 'Lunkarya's' as the skin will be much softer and not maintain the harsh coat. It should never be crossed with an Alpaca, Texel, Merino or Rex! The coat is not the same and they cannot be classed as a pure bred Lunkarya. They cannot be created by crossing Texels with Rex's!!

It is integral to cross pure Lunkarya's to prevent the skin becoming too soft due to crossings with 'soft-haired' varieties. The Lunkarya must maintain the harsh, rough skin! Also it will maintain the gene and prevent dilution.