When my closest childhood friend and I were little, her favorite animal was a pig. Usually she and I agreed on just about everything. However, her choice of animal was something I never quite understood or agreed with. Sure, I thought piglets were cute. Little pink porkers running around with tiny snouts and hooves are adorable without doubt. But what about when those little guys grow up? Not so cute. They’re rather large, hairy, most likely a bit odiferous and not nearly as delicate and endearing as they were during their infant stage.
A new trend in pig breeding, however, gives my friend a little more credit for liking pigs so much. In England, having “micropigs” as pets is now a huge trend. They’re smaller versions of their non-genetically modified relatives, and they only grow to be around the size of a medium-sized dog in adulthood.
Taking a look at some snapshots of the micropigs, I realized that it’d be hard for anyone to deny how cute they are. They weigh in at nine ounces at birth and are about the size of a tea-cup. And, apparently they make great pets, according to breeder, Jane Croft, who is credited for having made micropigs such a sensation.
Some of the supposed benefits of having a tiny pig as a pet seem to present a good case. Pigs do happen to be the fourth most intelligent species, next to man, monkey and dolphin, and therefore will most likely turn out to be suitable companions. They don’t have fur, just hair, which is a serious advantage for those looking for a pet without sneezing or being miserable with allergies. Croft says they make great pets because they are low maintenance and don’t require much besides food and water.
However, they’re still pigs. Owners of regular-sized pigs have contested against the alleged timid nature of the animals. Testimonies of ripped up sofas, torn down curtains and ruined rugs may propose a bit of a problem for pig breeders looking to sell them to families and individuals looking for a loyal and low-maintenance domesticated pet. Not to mention the price tag for the miniatures totals up approximately $1,042. So those looking for a cheaper way to make a furry friend should look elsewhere.
These deterrents haven’t stopped celebrities like Rupert Grint, a.k.a. Ron Weasley from Harry Potter, from purchasing a petite pig. Victoria Beckham also reportedly bought micropigs for her footballer hubby.
Croft says the pigs need constant companionship, so she only sells them in pairs. Although it seems like a “two-for-one” kind of deal, their price tag is still pretty hefty.
Once I got wind of the English micropig trend, I figured the one person who would appreciate the news the most would be that childhood friend who had once adored pigs so much. I figured it was safe to assume that she would think maybe having a little pig as a pet would be cool. I mean, hey, in this case, smaller means better, right? But her reaction? Total disbelief that people even want the animal in the house.
Even though these micropigs offer a more manageable — and adorable — version of the animals most of us know and think of as dirty and sloppy, some of the biggest admirers of the animal still see having one as a pet as a silly — and expensive — investment.
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