Did you know that the American is the most popular cavy? Probably because it has short hair that is easy to take care of, making an ideal pet for children as young as five. American and American Satins are recognized in all of the groups and varieties. Their short fur lies close to their skin. Americans are supposed to have a distinct Roman nose. The difference between Americans and American Satins is that American Satins have a shiny sheen to their coat, where as Americans don't have a distinct luster(sheen). Their hair is supposed to have flyback, where the hair snaps back in place after being petted from the rump to the head. An example of Disqualifications in the American breed is: Rosettes or "whirls" found in fur, a distinguished crest on their head,(This would actually make them White Crested if the crest was white) and long hair anywhere on the body.
Many times I have been asked by a would-be cavy fancier, "What breed should I raise?" My answer is the same for both adult and child, the AMERICAN CAVY.
Why? In my caviary there are other breeds, but my first breed, my first love is the American Cavy. I believe that no breed has been bred as close to its standard as the American. Quality stock is usually available in a good choice of varieties (colors) in most areas of the United States and Canada. The American is bred in nearly all of the Standard varieties. For example, it is far easier for a new breeder to obtain a Lilac American than a Lilac Teddy or Abyssinian.
The American does not require the constant care and grooming of the Silkie or Peruvian. It does not require the specific number of rosettes in the right places, like the Abyssinian, the coat texture of the Teddy, nor the struggle to obtain the full white crest or good body color of the White Crested.
In short, it is the least demanding of the ten breeds for the new breeder. Yes, there are varieties within the breed which are not so easily bred to the Standard. The ones considered heartbreaking, especially the new breeder, but more of them later.
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