American
The American guinea pig has a short, straight, smooth coat that lies close to the body without rosettes or ridges. Its broad head and compact body are clearly visible beneath the close coat. American is the familiar North American breed name, while smooth coat and shorthair describe the same general coat type. It is recognized in the ARBA Standard of Perfection for 2026 to 2030 and is shown in a range of color and marking varieties. British cavy classification divides smooth cavies into named color breeds such as English Self, Agouti and Dutch; English Self covers a single body color.
The European standard likewise separates smooth coated color varieties. An American can be one solid color, ticked or patterned. American Satin is a separate recognized ARBA breed with a satin sheen. Regular gentle grooming helps keep the short coat in good condition, and a prospective keeper can ask the breeder to demonstrate the animal's usual coat care.
