BRITISH CAVY COUNCIL

Solid Agouti Breed Standard

Updated 1st January 2024

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Standard of points

Points
Head, Eyes & Ears Head to be of good size, bold and broad, with a gently curving profile. 20
Muzzle to be of good width and gently rounded at the nostrils.
Eyes to be large, bright and bold and set with good width between.
Ears to be large and drooping, with lower rim parallel to the ground & set with good width between.
Body Shape To have short, cobby body with deep, broad shoulders. 20
To be fit and of good substance, with plenty of firm flesh.
To have good size appropriate to age.
Ticking To have sharp, level ticking extending evenly over the head, body, chest, belly and feet. 30
Feet to match rest of cavy.
Colour Top colour to be bright and lustrous and conform with Descriptions below. 20
Undercolour to be carried well down to the skin.
Belly colour to be ticked evenly all over, as per the body.
Coat To be soft & silky, clean and short, groomed free of guard hairs. 10
100

Description of colours

Golden

Deep black undercolour with dark golden ticking. Eyes dark. Ears and Pads black. Nails to match pad colour.

Silver

Deep black undercolour with silver ticking. Eyes dark with a hint of ruby. Ears and Pads black. Nails to match pad colour.

Lemon

Deep black undercolour with lemon ticking. Eyes dark with a hint of ruby. Ears and Pads black. Nails to match pad colour.

Chocolate

Deep rich chocolate undercolour with orange ticking. Eyes dark with a hint of ruby. Ears and Pads chocolate. Nails to match pad colour.

Cream

Deep rich chocolate undercolour with cream ticking. Eyes dark with a hint of ruby. Ears and Pads chocolate. Nails to match pad colour.

Cinnamon

Deep rich cinnamon (milk chocolate with pinky tinge) undercolour with silver ticking. Eyes dark with a hint of ruby. Ears and Pads cinnamon. Nails to match pad colour.


Note 1:

The colour of the Solid Agouti is likely to appear darker than that of the corresponding ‘Normal’ Agouti. So long as the ticking is sharp, distinct and even, this should not be penalised.


Note 2:

NB: In Lemon and Cream Solid Agoutis, which are based on combinations of black or chocolate base colour with lemon / cream ticking, the specific shade of lemon / cream is immaterial so long as it is lighter than buff.

Guidance notes

The Solid Agouti is a dark-eyed ticked cavy in which the ticking covers the whole of the Body, including the belly.

In judging Solid Agoutis, the emphasis must be on quality and evenness of ticking over the entire cavy, along with colour, type and condition.

Exhibits should not be unduly penalised for minor faults if they possess these qualities.

Size is very desirable, but not at the expense of cobbyness or quality.

Grooming is essential to producing an even effect on the body, sides and head of the cavy.

The ticking on the feet is likely to be less pronounced than on the rest of the body. This is a relatively minor fault.

Cinnamon Solid Agoutis often become darker with age, tending towards chocolate undercolour rather than cinnamon as in the ’Normal‘ Agouti. This is not a fault.

It should be noted that some Solid Agoutis are born solid in colour, and develop ticking later. Accordingly, incomplete ticking on U/5 exhibits should not be unduly penalised.

Specific disqualifications

Specific faults

Wash 2: Designed by Simon Neesam for the British Cavy Council © 2020