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The "sheba" as they are commonly called are an Australian breed, and are currently only standardised in this country.
It could be referred to as a "semi longhair" as the coat should be no longer in length then just touching the floor when standing. It is exhibited in the "coarse coat" group in Australian Cavy Clubs, with the exception of Queensland (where they are shown as longhaired cavies).
There are rosettes on the shoulders, sides and rump which gives the coat a "lift". There should be a fringe that hangs over the face as well as hair on the cheeks facing forward - known as mutton chop whiskers.
As the hair should only reach the floor, there is no need to "wrap" the hair - as is done with longhairs. However breeders have been known to put a wrapper over the rump hair to prevent the hair "getting in the way and soiled" (especially before shows).
Shebas can be exhibited in any colour.
A little bit of Sheba History
The sheba originated in the early 1970s and was the result of the original "wombat peruian" (a shorter haired, more cobbier and harsher haired version of todays sheltie, with a mid length coat) crossed to an "abyssinian" (a typie, chunkier version of today's abby). The combination of these two breeds produced a cobby, typie abby like animal with hair that only grew to floor length. Unfortunately over the years, breeders crossed the sheba in with peruvians and other longhaired breeds which caused the coat to lengthen and soften.
(thanks to Nicole Johnson for some of this informaiton)
Common breed faults:
Coat longer then floor length, chewed coat, short mutton chops, soft texture to coat.
