According to the records, cavies were first exhibited at the Show in 1871 in a miscellaneous class in the poultry section – ‘Guinea Pigs, pair’. There were two entries, with first prize going to a J Turner. Competition continued until 1876, then disappeared for a hundred years.
When the competition returned in 1977 it was run under the umbrella of the Cat section with the close support of the NSW Cavy Club, an association which continues to this day. In 1986 administrative responsibility transferred within the RAS to the Animal Nursery Committee, later passing to the Domestic Animals Section, where it remains.
Cavies were part of the Show from 1977 until 2010, then were absent again until in 2018.
From 1977-1989 Cavies were organised into classes based on breed. Those listed for the 1977 Show were: Sheba Mini Yak, Peruvian, Wombat Peruvian and Sheltie, Abyssinian, Golden Agouti, English Reds, Himalayan, Creams, Buff, Blacks, and Golden.
By 1985 the Cavy competition was reorganised by age – Adult Cavy Classes, Junior Cavy Classes, and Baby Cavy Classes – with further divisions provided within each age group for individual breeds.
In 2003 the competition changed once again, splitting into groups – Marked Group, Satin Group, Self Group, Crested Group, Ticked Group, Coarse Coat Group, and Longhair Group – with classes for breeds and ages within each group. The competition continues to be organised along these lines.
