Pinder Caviary is the home of the cavies (guinea pigs) belonging to Caroline and Dave Smith of Shefford, Bedfordshire. As a hobby we keep a small select stud of cavies exhibiting them at local and national shows. Caroline has kept and exhibited cavies since 1978 having previously lived in Sussex, Yorkshire and Nottingham. Caroline has been judging cavies for the past 12 years and is currently the British Cavy Council Representative for the Rare Varieties Cavy Club. Caroline has judged at overseas cavy events including Finland, Guernsey and Denmark. As a family we have kept many different breeds over the years but we now specialise in BLACK HIMALAYANS, BLACK TANS, TRICOLOURS and DARK-EYED WHITES. Home of Amy's developing stud of Rex.

Black Himalayan Boar "Herstmonceux"

BLACK HIMALAYANS are an old breed of colour contrast: with a black smut (nose), ears and feet, pink eyes, and a white body colour. Our Himalayan's are based on an established strain (Aubrey Roebuck) and have been under our development programme since 1998. Wins include Best In Show at a National Himalayan Cavy Club Stock Show (Saltaire, 2000) out of 81 Himalayans and Best Himalayan at the National Himalayan Rosette Show at Castle Ashby in July 2002. We are currently building up our line of Himalayans and hope to Show more in 2005. Home of National Himalayan Cavy Club 'Champion Kaspar of Pinder'.

Black Tan Boar "Him Self"

BLACK TANS are a new rare variety with a short smooth coat and black body colour. The markings are a solid tan belly, tan flecking hairs to sides, eye circles and 'spots' of hair above the eyes. This breed (and its cousin Black Fox) was introduced to the cavy fancy in 2000 and we are now developing our own strain. During 2001, 2002, 2003 and again in 2004, we gained the most points for Tans exhibited at Rare Varieties Cavy Club Area Shows. Recent wins include Best Tan at five of the seven RVCC Area Shows and Best Guide Standard at three of these Shows in 2004. In January 2005, we gained Best U/5 months Rare Variety at the prestigious Bradford Championship Show with a Tan. This tan, Hecate,went on to be awarded 3rd Best RV in a class of 92. Home of Rare Varieties Cavy Club champions 'Champion Him Self of Pinder', 'Champion Yanofsky of Pinder','Champion Ishmael of Pinder' and 2004 'Triple Champion Yashin of Pinder'.

Tricolour Sow (lilac/gold/white) "Fizz"

TRICOLOURS are an old and rare breed looked after by the Rare Varieties Cavy Club. We are aiming for patches of lilac, gold and white down each side of the body separated by an imaginary line that goes along the spine and continues through the centre of the belly. This breed is difficult with a low percentage of babies of show standard. All babies are pretty and due to their excellent nature make good pets. Purchased in 2002 from Frank Clarke of Walsall with the introduction of new bloodlines from other Tricolour breeders. The breeding programme for this variety is being shared by a number of cavy keepers and we had our first success at the Southsea Show (August 2002) with 'Petronus' gaining 1st out of 9 in the Any Other Variety Challenge U/5 months. In 2002 we were runners-up for the Rare Varieties Cavy Club Tri/Bicolour Points Competition and in 2003 and 2004 we won the award.