Red selfies -

https://guineapigsandy.com/all-about-guinea-pigs/articles/red-selfies/ Before you start talking about red selfies, you need to ask yourself – why do you want to get this particular breed?

If you are hoping to double wins, get self-champions, etc., then most likely this breed is not for you. But if you are interested in the selfies themselves, their beauty, their rich color – why not try it?
Unfortunately, numerically, red selfies are not the most common breed, and it is not always easy to acquire suitable animals. You may need to queue up as most breeders keep few breeding red selfs. The ideal start would be, perhaps, three or even two purebred pigs, with which you will start breeding your own herd, including show animals.
Male red selfs should be very rich in color, but please remember that really good males are unlikely to be put up for sale; good red selves are taken out, not bought. Females should be as close as possible to the ideal in type, this does not mean that you need to immediately discard less perfect females, since they can become excellent producers. More importantly, if the breeder produces good specimens, you also have a chance of success.
COLOR
The color should be thick, brownish red. Ideally, the color should be uniform, smoothly turning into skin color. Selfies are usually fairly even in color; spotted guinea pigs with uneven coat color are rare.
One common flaw that seems to me less and less is the “layering” of color on the sides and back, where the lighter undercoat is clearly visible. Improper grooming can also worsen this situation.
One problem with selfies is that their color changes with age. When babies are born, it will soon be possible to determine their final shade. Their color will then darken and may become almost chocolate for several months. Ideally, piglets should be very dark at this stage. During this period, light-colored individuals with pale hair on the belly and / or paws are culled (these signs are important indicators of their future color).
By about four months (although this may vary from animal to animal), the color should acquire resistance, and the children’s “fur coat” should completely fade. Take your time to expose young red selfies, otherwise they may be delayed in their development. First of all, it is necessary to exhibit adult animals, since it is the victories in the older age category that are most prestigious.
As you know, young red selfies are less calm than representatives of some other breeds, but a lot can be achieved with patience and affectionate treatment. Red selfies of the age group 5-8 months and the adult category, it seems to me, are as calm as pigs of all other breeds.
Selfie babies can be born interspersed with white hairs in red fur – so they seem variegated. This trait will inevitably disappear by about three months, so I suppose there is nothing to worry about. These white-haired pigs are a minority and often grow into well-colored animals that are traditionally used as breeders. So do not discard all such gilts – especially females – because they can be excellent producers, although they certainly won’t have to participate in exhibitions.
TYPE
Ideally, you need to achieve the type of a good black selfie – this way you can compete for the title of Best Selfie at central exhibitions. Here, in fact, the fairy tale is over, since I personally do not know if anyone has seen such a specimen (a combination of a breed with an excellent color), I – no. And you need to strive as close as possible to the ideal.
Although the red self is one of the oldest selves, the type, unfortunately, is still very far from the best representatives of this breed. Excellent examples come out from time to time, but the average standard still takes a lot of work.
I am very pleased that the size of the animals has improved markedly, since at the exhibitions you can see very large individuals compared to the pigs that were exhibited before. The body shape has also changed for the better, but combining a good profile with a rich color is still a challenge. Often, the best-colored pigs have normal long muzzles, while the best-colored pigs lose in color. Getting the right balance isn’t easy.
WOOL
Selfies are usually very textured and naturally silky. However, grooming is important (as for other selfies and other breeds) to create a complete look. Removal of coarse guard hairs is necessary, since all hairs of the coat must be of the same length, and without any “layering” of the coat. Male grooming is more difficult, the secret here is to do it a little, but often, to achieve the desired result.
EYES AND EARS
The eyes of red selfies are usually large and round, so this trait shouldn’t be a problem. On the other hand, with ears, difficulties can arise.
I think it is necessary to try to capture a good ear set in your herd as without this, the red self will not be able to compete with other representatives of the breed at shows.
OUTCROSSING
Since I have not used other colors in my attempt to improve my red selves, I have nothing to say about the usefulness or uselessness of such attempts.
If you, having free areas, are thinking whether it is worth taking on the cultivation of red selves, and are thus ready to take on a certain challenge, then I advise you to just start. However, red selfies are not a breed that you can just indulge in breeding and give up if success at the next show is not expected. It is important for a breeder to keep in mind that patience is a great virtue when dealing with red selfies! On the other hand, female red selfies are great moms, dairy and very caring, and this speaks in their favor.