Male Vs. Female Pair?

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h.p

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Hi! I am getting a pair of guinea pig tomorrow and I was wondering if a male or female would be cuddlier/more happy to be handled.
 
plz note; it is not recommended to pair a female and male together
also to be more cuddlier or happy to be handled depends on the guinea pig
 
Guinea pigs are not cuddly animals. They have a high prey instinct and their trust has to be earned over several months/years of careful handling and hand feeding and lots of patience. Sometimes piggies won't tolerate being handled at all. Look at the guinea pig guides at the top of the page about how to settle on piggies. Can't link them on this device. You need to look at the wannabe new owners guide and look under the section Are guinea pigs for me - a guide cos if you want a cuddly pet unless you are prepared to put in A LOT of hard work and spend A LOT of time with them so that they earn your trust then they are probably not the correct animals for you. Sorry to be a bit harsh but better to find out before you get them.
 
I agree with @Betsy, you certainly can't guarantee a Cuddly Guinea pig. I have 5, and only one really likes cuddles. I've sat in their cage and hand fed them every day since I got them 10 months ago, and they now jump up on my knees, but still run away and hide if I try to pick them up.
They are wonderful pets though, so as long as you go into it with your eyes open you will enjoy them...... Just don't expect them to sit happily for cuddles without a lot of time and effort on your part, and even then, depending on the piggy, they might still not like it. Best to know what you're taking on. Good luck x
PS. There's not much difference between males and females in temperament. Just ensure they have plenty of space to reduce the chance of fall outs, which can be permanent. If you think you might want more in the future, girls are best, as more than two boys is usually a recipe for disaster.
 
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I agree with reenie and Betsy, I have 5 one who adores his cuddles, one who is happy to be cuddled but on her terms. The two youngsters (both exposed to the same socialisation and indeed both were syringe fed as babies by me) one will happily be cuddled the other hates it but will roll around next to me and a baby who is only ikkle.

You can’t guarantee cuddliness. However notwithstanding that I have 4 girls and one boy if I didn’t have a heard my preference would be boys - but there is no rational reason for that apart from Jet being my favourite boy.
 
Hello and welcome

Please have a good read of the threads in this link Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Piggies are prey animals. To develop their relationship with humans they have to overcome their natural instinct to flee. Depending on their experiences before you get them some may be happier around humans and others may be terrified. Also they are like humans in that their personalities differ. Some love being handled. Others hate it. Unless you are adopting a well handled mature pair from a rescue who can tell you all about their personalities you won’t know for some time after you get them home whether or not you have “lap pigs”or not. In my own herd of sows I have 2 “lap pigs” and 2 who simply tolerate being handled but don’t enjoy it. I have 2 Foster pairs - one pair loves lap time. The other doesn’t. You have to be aware of this before you get piggies.
 
Thanks for the advice! I am willing and prepared to spend all the time with them and I know that they are prey animals. I understand that they are wired to be scared of large things, and I would never force a piggy to be cuddled when it didn't want to be. I was just wondering if boys or girls had a different temperment and which one is more docile.(if either is)
 
I notice with syrian hamsters that males tend to me slower and easier to handle but havent seen a gender based difference with guinea pigs. Just go to a rescue and follow your heart!
 
Hello and welcome to the forum.
Congratulations on your new status as a piggy slave- they will soon have you trained.
What are their names and when can we see pictures?
 
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