Rex

The Rex guinea pig is a short-coated breed with a dense, springy coat that stands away from the body instead of lying flat. Its texture is often described as plush or woolly, with a broad head, rounded outline, and a sturdy cavy build. Rex guinea pigs can be found in many of the familiar color and pattern groups, so the defining feature is coat structure rather than color.

Rex coats are easier to maintain than long coats, but they still benefit from regular handling and skin checks because the dense hair can hide small scratches or flaky areas. The breed is popular with pet owners who like a tactile coat without daily brushing demands. Breeders usually pay close attention to coat resilience, body condition, and clear distinction from similar rough-coated breeds, especially where registry standards separate Rex and Teddy lines.