Teacup Pigs All the Rage in England
First we ate them. Then somebody figured out they were as good as pets as they were as food. Unfortunately, they were much too big for the average pet owner. Now breeders in England are shrinking this animal down to make what some believe is the perfect animal companion.
The "teacup pig" is all the rage in England these days. At birth, they weigh about nine ounces and can literally fit into a teacup (hence the name). By the time they're fully grown (age two), they're just over a foot tall and weigh around 60-65 lbs. That's much smaller than the last pet pig sensation, the potbellied pig, which could top out at 250 pounds. When you realize a typical farm pig can easily weigh over 1,000 pounds, you can see why this breed is also called the "micropig".
For years people have praised pigs as a good alternative to a cat or dog. In spite of associations with mud and dirt, pigs are quite clean animals. They can be litter-box trained just like cats. They rate higher in animal intelligence tests than dogs. And because they have hair rather than fur, owners with allergies find them to be less irritating than fur-bearing pets.
Several celebrities in England, including Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the "Harry Potter" movies, have helped to contribute to the little porkers' popularity. But obtaining one isn't easy. They sell for $1,100 or more each. Owners have to be licensed to keep livestock, as the pigs are still considered to be farm animals. Still, that hasn't deterred people from trying to get one of their very own. It's a pet fad that England hasn't seen in years.
Though not yet available in the United States, it's just a matter of time before somebody starts breeding and selling the pint-sized porcines on this side of the pond. Will they succeed where the pot-bellied pig failed? It's too early to tell, but it'll be interesting to watch the progression of this newest pet sensation.
Article submitted Wednesday, October 07, 2009 & read 775 times.
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» left by Marijo Phelps from mountain meadow CO (2 years 123 days ago.)
HOw do they compare to "pot bellied pigs" popular several years ago? I still prefer something soft and, well, furry! Thanks Danny for the interesting piece. MarijoRespond to this comment
