--- title: NZ Unique and Rare Guinea Pigs | Independent Cavy Clubs description: NZ Unique and Rare Guinea Pigs | Learn about NZ Unique and Rare Guinea Pigs, an independent cavy club dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting New Zealand’s unique and rare pedigree guinea pig breeds. image: https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/hubfs/Your%20paragraph%20text%20(31).png --- [Skip to content](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/nz-unique-and-rare-guinea-pigs-independent-cavy-clubs#main-content) [![Nationwide Logo (7)](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/hubfs/Nationwide%20Logo%20(7).png)](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz?hsLang=en-nz) - [About Us](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/about-us) Show submenu for About Us - [Schedules](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/show-schedules) - [Stud Names](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/stud-register) - [New Zealand Cavy Judges Association](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/new-zealand-cavy-judges-association) - Our Clubs Show submenu for Our Clubs - [Northern Rabbit & Cavy Club](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/northern-rabbit-cavy-club) - [NZ Unique and Rare Guinea Pigs](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/nz-unique-and-rare-guinea-pigs-independent-cavy-clubs) - [Hamilton & Waikato Areas Club](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/hamilton-area-guinea-pig-club) - [Taranaki Cavy Club](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/taranaki-cavy-club) - [New Zealand Cavy Club](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/new-zealand-cavy-club) - [North Canterbury Guinea Pigs](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/north-canterbury-guinea-pigs) - [Cavy Care](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/cavy-care) Show submenu for Cavy Care - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/frequently-asked-questions) - [Itchy Skin](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/itchy-skin) - [Orphan Care](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/orphan-care) - [Vitamin C](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/vitamin-c) - [Lumps and Abscesses](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/lumps-or-abscesses-in-guinea-pigs) - [Nail Clipping](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/clipping-guinea-pig-nails) - [Nationwide Cavy Show](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/nationwide-cavy-show) - [Contact Us](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/contact-us) - [About Us](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/about-us) Show submenu for About Us - [Schedules](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/show-schedules) - [Stud Names](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/stud-register) - [New Zealand Cavy Judges Association](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/new-zealand-cavy-judges-association) - Our Clubs Show submenu for Our Clubs - [Northern Rabbit & Cavy Club](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/northern-rabbit-cavy-club) - [NZ Unique and Rare Guinea Pigs](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/nz-unique-and-rare-guinea-pigs-independent-cavy-clubs) - [Hamilton & Waikato Areas Club](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/hamilton-area-guinea-pig-club) - [Taranaki Cavy Club](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/taranaki-cavy-club) - [New Zealand Cavy Club](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/new-zealand-cavy-club) - [North Canterbury Guinea Pigs](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/north-canterbury-guinea-pigs) - [Cavy Care](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/cavy-care) Show submenu for Cavy Care - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/frequently-asked-questions) - [Itchy Skin](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/itchy-skin) - [Orphan Care](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/orphan-care) - [Vitamin C](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/vitamin-c) - [Lumps and Abscesses](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/lumps-or-abscesses-in-guinea-pigs) - [Nail Clipping](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/clipping-guinea-pig-nails) - [Nationwide Cavy Show](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/nationwide-cavy-show) - [Contact Us](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/contact-us) [Join Us!](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/contact-us?hsLang=en-nz) ![Untitled design - 2026-03-25T152507.287](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202026-03-25T152507.287.png) # NZ Unique and Rare Guinea Pigs Cavy Club [Adopt New Friend](https://www.hubspot.com/) - [About Us](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/about-us?hsLang=en-nz) > - NZ Unique and Rare Guinea Pigs ![Untitled design - 2023-03-08T153700.101](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-03-08T153700.101.png) NZ Unique and Rare Guinea Pigs ## A club dedicated to awareness, education, and breed preservation **New Zealand Unique and Rare Guinea Pigs** is an independent cavy club dedicated to supporting, protecting, and celebrating New Zealand’s unique and rare pedigree guinea pig breeds. The club exists to raise awareness of these special cavies, encourage their preservation, and help ensure they continue to be recognised and exhibited within the New Zealand cavy fancy.  What makes a breed unique? ## A special part of New Zealand’s cavy history The club uses the word **“unique”** to describe pedigree guinea pig breeds that were created in **New Zealand** and later achieved full show standards through the **New Zealand Cavy Judges Association (NZCJA)**. These breeds are part of New Zealand’s own cavy history and reflect the work, knowledge, and dedication of New Zealand cavy judges and breeders over many years. ![Untitled design - 2026-03-25T172526.987](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202026-03-25T172526.987.png) Our Unique New Zealand breeds ## Celebrating the breeds developed here in New Zealand The five unique New Zealand pedigree breeds supported by the club are the **New Zealand Plume**, **Tweed**, **Panda**, **New Zealand Peruvian**, and **Bonnet**. These breeds represent an important part of the history and achievements of the New Zealand cavy fancy, and the club works to keep their stories, standards, and value visible within the wider guinea pig community. 5 Breeds 50 + Years of History ![Untitled design - 2026-03-25T172906.165](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202026-03-25T172906.165.png) ![Untitled design - 2026-03-25T172535.533](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202026-03-25T172535.533.png) Rare breeds we also support ## Supporting rare pedigree cavies beyond the unique New Zealand breeds Alongside New Zealand’s unique breeds, the club also supports rare pedigree breeds when needed, including the **Dark Eyed White**. While the Dark Eyed White is not unique to New Zealand, it is recognised as a rare breed that still benefits from awareness, support, and exhibition opportunities within the cavy community.  Breed preservation ## Protecting rare breeds for the future Breed preservation is a key part of the club’s purpose. It is the intentional and ongoing effort to protect New Zealand’s unique, rare, and historically significant cavy breeds so they do not disappear. Rare breeds can decline quickly if they are not actively bred, supported, and shown, which is why preservation work is so important. For this club, preservation is not just about maintaining numbers - it is also about protecting breed quality, history, and the future of these cavies in New Zealand. The club also promotes the role of the **preservation breeder** - someone who is actively working with a New Zealand unique or rare pedigree cavy breed to retain show quality, protect important characteristics, and improve the breed over time. These breeders play an important role in making sure rare breeds remain healthy, recognisable, and able to continue into the future.  ![Untitled design - 2026-03-25T172900.608](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202026-03-25T172900.608.png) ## Help Protect New Zealand’s Rare Cavy Breeds New Zealand’s unique and rare pedigree guinea pig breeds are an important part of the country’s cavy history. Supporting awareness, exhibition, and preservation helps ensure these breeds continue to be recognised and appreciated for generations to come. [Learn more](https://nzuniquecavyclub.yolasite.com/) ![Untitled design - 2026-03-25T173223.150](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202026-03-25T173223.150.png) Attend cavy shows across New Zealand and win ribbons with Independent Cavy Clubs! Join us in celebrating the finest cavies with a commitment to quality and ethics [![Nationwide Logo (9)](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/hubfs/Nationwide%20Logo%20(9).png)](https://www.hubspot.com/) - Copyright © 2026 Independent New Zealand Cavy Clubs. All Rights Reserved. [Privacy Policy |](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/privacy-policy?hsLang=en-nz) [Terms & Condition](https://www.nzwidecavyshow.nz/terms-and-conditions?hsLang=en-nz)