Carol Miller: Breed Sponsor

Produced by Brenda McNaughton

The Baldwin Cavy is a hairless guinea pig that originally appeared in
San Diego, CA out of Carol Miller’s herd of White Cresteds.  The hairless
mutation occurred after breeding two Golden Solid pigs, with hair, eyes
open, and ready to go.  Within a week, though, something happened.  
Two of them started losing hair around the eyes and nose and then
progressively towards the rear of the animals until the hair was gone.  
They were completely hairless.  When the Baldwin pups continued to
mature and thrive, yet not grow back a coat, the decision was made to
rebreed the parents.  Again more Baldwins with the same results.  

These unique animals are quite “handsome” and have tremendous
personalities.  They possess wrinkles on their head where the crest once
appeared, wrinkles and folds over their shoulder/crown and around their
legs, and are smooth over their rump.  Their ears are spectacular,
shapely and dangly in a rose petal fashion.  Their skin has a very
rubbery texture that one can manipulate into folds.  They are completely
hairless except for very sparse whiskers on the chin and a small amount
of hair on the feet up to the hocks which we are trying to eliminate.  

Do Baldwins have special needs?

One must remember that a Baldwin is a cavy first, hairless second.  You
must use common sense when caring for them, just as you would a
haired animal.  Overall, there are more similarities then differences
between a haired cavy and a Baldwin.  Baldwins do appear to have a
higher metabolic rate than haired cavies; they consume more food and
water and are more active, thus generating heat to keep themselves
warm.  This also leads to a need to clean the cages more frequently.  
Because of the heat generating ability, all that is needed to protect them
from the cold is a small box to crawl into.  They warm it up themselves
and have tolerated temperatures in the low 30’s this way.  Baldwins
require more frequent baths using a facial cleanser or exfoliate.  There is
no need to use moisturizers or oils on the skin as they produce their
own.  

Myths about Baldwins

Myth:  There appears to be a lethal gene involved in the breeding of
Baldwins.  

Fact: NO! lethal genes have appeared up to this time.  We have
successfully bred carriers of the Baldwin gene to Baldwins, and Baldwins
to Baldwins, and have had hardy, healthy litters.


Myth:  The skin of a Baldwin requires oiling to prevent it from cracking
and drying out.

Fact:  The Baldwin’s skin, just like humans, produce it’s own oils and
sufficiently moisturize itself.  The animal does benefit from baths with
facial cleansers or exfoliates, but no moisturizers are used on our
Baldwins at this time.  

Myth:  Baldwins will be limited to shows held in warmer environments to
prevent them from catching colds.

Fact:  Baldwins tolerate lower temperatures quite well if they are
provided with a small box to hide in.  They warm their boxes up
sufficiently to be comfortable and stay healthy.  In windy or extreme
conditions they can be covered, just as one would cover their haired
cavies.

Most Important Fact:
As Baldwin pups (Loose their hair they look very sickly)- They are NOT!!  
You don’t need to do anything special.  Any animal losing their hair
looks sickly.  Baldwins are just as hardy as regular guinea pigs when they are bred and cared for properly.