Don't mess with the pig

Banshee the guinea pig.

IT takes a few hours to get him ready before he goes on stage, and when he's not getting pampered, he lies in air-conditioned comfort.

And if that's not enough, after he's sat in front of admirers and won awards, his special reward is to be surrounded by beautiful females.

His name is Banshee. Full name: Pigs Can Fly Banshee. And he is a guinea pig.

He's not even 18 months old, but already the Loganholme guinea pig is a national champion, coming home with a swag of awards from the National Cavy Show held in New South Wales late last month.

And his owner Shane Walters is hoping this is only the first step before he becomes a grand champion.

“He's got the looks, and he's a good show boy and stud,” Mr Walters said.

“I've got him working and showing and he can handle it.”

All up Mr Walters walked away from the national competition with 21 ribbons, four trophies and four best of breeds.

A huge achievement for the chef who got his first guinea pig ‘Nosy' when was six years old.

Mr Walters now has about 100 guinea pigs and is the president of the Bayside Cavy Club.

“I just love them, they are just beautiful,” he said about the furry critters.