Showing

To enter a cavy into a show its handy to subscribe to "Cavies" magazine, it has all the show dates and locations in and show results. Find the show you want to enter and either phone/email/post your entry to the show secretary. If you are unsure what to enter your cavy as ( breed, age, colour, class etc) You can either e mail me ( see contact us) or ask the show secretary. Once you have entered your cavy(s) you can start to prepare your cavy for the show.

About 1 week before the show is the ideal time to bath your cavy. Unless your cavy is a pale colour (white/cream etc) then bath them again night before the show. You must make sure that water is tapid (not too warm and not cold) Animal flea shampoo is good to use for a first shampoo, rinse it out and then use a normal shampoo (I use 2 in1 pantene) however don't use conitioner on abysinians or rex as their coat must be coarse not soft! Rinse the shampoo out, rub gently with a towel, then use the lowest heat/power setting on a hairdryer and dry your cavy.

The next thing you need to do is groom your cavy.With a soft bristled brush and groom up from the sides to the top of the back, dont brush down the centre of the back as this can create  bald patches.The next thing to do is take out the guard hairs.(you can identify these hairs as they are longer than all the rest!) I lick my index finger, push the hair up and pull the guard hairs out by rubing your thumb across your index finger. Do this all over the body and head, the belly doesn't need to be done as the hair on their belly is generally shorter than their body as it is always touching the ground.  Always groom little and often as they don't particulary like their hairs being pulled out and it can cause them stress! Also don't over groom as you can create bald patches!

Other places need to be cleaned... using either a tooth pick of tooth brush clean their teeth, and on boars, at the end of their back where their tail would be they have a "grease spot" its their sent gland and it will be covered in wax! Zoff is very good for cleaning this off, alternatively a bit of washing up liquid is just as good, so try to remember to do it when you bath them to do their grease spots! Toe nails should be clipped (get a vet to do it or someone who knows what they are doing!) and clean

The night before the show make sure their bed is really clean, as you've spent all this time bathing and grooming the last thing you want is for them to get dirty in their bed! If you have pale colured cavies don't feed anything with colour in eg. carrot, beetroot etc as it colours the hair! Put fresh shavings and hay in your travelling box ( hand make them, or buy from shows)  and put a small amount of hay and food for your cavy to munch on in its pen at the show! Take your brush with you so that you can give your cavy a once over before you put it in its pen.

Whether you have a pet cavy or a show quality cavy, its all fun! Most shows have a newcomers pet class, if you have a pet cavy, adult or child, anyone can enter. The juvenile classes are very good if you have a child that has a pet cavy! Lots of rosettes and prize cards!

When you arrive at the show, find the show secretary and she/he will take the money for the entry/penn fee and she will give you a small sticky label and a sheet of paper with your entry(s) on. Stick the label on your cavys ear (this matches the number on the pen) press the label on firmly to prevent it falling off. Put the food and hay in your pen before you put your cavy in, you must then leave your cavy there until the show has finished. This is a show rule that you are not to take your cavy out until the show has ended, only show stewards and judges can handle your cavy during the show.

You can watch the judging during the show, however you must not let the judge know which cavy is yours!

If you have enjoyed the show and decide to enter into another show, its worth joining your relevant cavy clubs. There are specific breed clubs, eg. Rex Cavy Club, Dutch Cavy Club etc. There are then area clubs, eg. Kent Cavy Club, Essex Cavy Club etc. Then there are regional clubs, eg. National Cavy Club, Southern Cavy Club etc. They range from about £3 - £4 to join per adult, and for that you get a regular newsletter, a members handbook and the chance to win trophies if you are lucky enough to be eligible for one!