Coarse Coat

  There are two types of coarse coat cavy in Australia and both are short-haired.

Abyssinian

Abyssinian Image Annbritt Jørgensen

Abyssinian Ch Dunvegan Everton Image Matt Gardiner

The Abby or Abyssinian has a coarse, short coat approximately 3cm in length, which features well placed rosettes and ridges. Each rosette should be clear and distinct radiating from a pinpoint centre. The hair should stand erect and flat spots particularly on the back or sides are undesirable.

There should be eight or ten rosettes in total. Four rosettes in a direct line, across one side of the torso to the other, form what is known as the saddle. Matching rosettes should also appear on each hip, as well as two thumb shaped rump rosettes. There may also be two shoulder rosettes. The more symmetrical the rosettes are, the better. Their placement should create neat, close coupled ridges along the centre, back, collar and sides.

 The body of an Abyssinian should be thickset and cobby with a broad chest. The head should feature a good moustache and mane with large bold eyes and large drooping ears. They come in many different colours but are not bred or shown specifically for colour.

Brindle & White Abyssinian- Itzcalina Mo-Mo Taro Image Lily Martin

Ironically no-one knows where this breed got it's name from. It does not appear to have any connection to Abyssinia, the country now known as Ethiopia.

They are a very distinct breed and their short hair requires little preparation before showing. They are described by many as being cheeky, outgoing and curious.

Abyssinian Image Tom Mcgaffin

  

 

Rex

The other coarse coated breed is the Rex. Unlike the Abyssinian, they have no rosettes. The coat of a Rex should be very dense and springy and the length should not exceed 1.25cm.

Rex Farrowlea Grizzly Horribilus Image Tash Luder

An unusual feature of the Rex, is their guard hairs. These longer hairs appear interspersed throughout their coat. They need to be removed before showing and this can be easily done by holding a section of the coat between the thumb and forefinger and gently pulling.

Rex have very thick, springy, dense coats. When the hair of the Rex is brushed forward it should not lay in that position but should return to it's original erect appearance. Even the hair on their belly should be curly. Their coat must not part, have flat spots, ridges or rosettes

 Most commonly Rex are agouti in colour but may also be bi-coloured, solid or any other colour. They are not judged on their colour.

Their heads are are broad and rather blunt with wide set eyes and large drooping ears.

Their name refers to the recessive gene which is responsible for the coarse, crimped characteristics of their coat. When speaking about this breed the word Rex is both singular and plural. Rex are genetically different to the Teddy breed. Their coat is also harsher to the touch. Australia does not currently have Teddies.

They are one of the largest breeds but have notoriously sweet and gentle personalities.

Young Rex Ridgeview Sweet Surprise Image Tash Luder

 

 

Guide to Breed Determination

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