Updated December 2016
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| Coat Appearance | To stand erect from the body, being thick and even in length to give a round and plush overall (‘puff-ball’) appearance, with sufficient density that the skin is not visible without parting the coat. The length of the coat should be at least 5 cm and be even across the shoulders, size and back. Chops should be strong, even, dense and well-furnished, with no gaps. Ideally to have longer hairs, known as ‘horns’, over the ears. |
| Coat Feel | The coat to be dense, plush and springy against the body, coarse enough to support the hair standing erect but soft enough to create the required ‘puffball’ appearance. It should be feee from grease. |
| Presentation | To be presented clean and unmatted, with the hair standing erect all over the body to create a full and rounded appearance with no tendency either for the coat to lie forward or for a parting. There should be no tangles or matting. |
| Head, Eyes & Ears | Head to be short & broad, Muzzle of good width & rounded at the nostrils. |
| Eyes to be large, bright and bold and set with good width between. | |
| Ears to be large and drooping, and set with good width between. | |
| Body Shape | To have short, cobby body; thick-set, with good width across shoulders. |
| To be fit and of good substance, with plenty of firm flesh covering shoulders. | |
| To have good size appropriate to age. | |
NB: Any Full Standard for this breed is likely to be based on those for the Rough Longhair breeds.
Swiss may be shown in any colour or combination of colours.
They must be shown on a board of appropriate size covered in natural-coloured hessian.
The Swiss is a rexoid, semi-longhaired cavy whose coat stands erect from the body to give a rounded shape of even (‘puff-ball’) appearance.
The Swiss is inclined to moult at regular intervals, from the shoulder backwards. Accordingly, those in ‘mid moultrsquo; have longer coats around the rump than on the rest of the body. They should not be shown during the moulting stages.
Some Swiss possess a rosette on the forehead. This usually fills out and disappears by 5 months of age. However, Swiss should not be shown with any visible rosette.
Wash 2: Designed by Simon Neesam for the British Cavy Council © 2020