#Pot-bellied Pigs and Other Miniature Pet Pigs

[vintagewildlife]

Vietnamese pot-bellied pig By: Michael Gilroy From: Pot-bellied Pigs and Other Miniature Pet Pigs 1992

[a380flightdeck]

Pets On A Plane.

When airlines are in the news, it’s almost never for a good reason.

As the headlines have it, United’s brutish handling of its human customers seems to be outdone only by the way it treats pets. First we had the demise of Simon, the giant rabbit who perished aboard one of United’s London-to-Chicago flights last year. Then, a week ago, on a United flight between Houston and LaGuardia, a flight attendant demanded that an exit-row passenger put her ten-month-old French bulldog in an overhead bin, where it subsequently died either from suffocation or stress. And stop the press: a day after formally apologizing for the overhead bin incident, United accidentally shipped a German shepherd to Tokyo instead of to Kansas City.  

In the case of the bulldog puppy, I can’t imagine the flight attendant thought the dog would be harmed, but still it was a terrible decision. So what’s going on here? Is there something endemically dysfunctional at United that’s leading to screw-ups like these?

I’m not sure. United’s record does compare poorly against the other biggest airlines. United recorded 18 animal deaths in 2017, out of around 75,000 that were carried. On the other hand, the numbers overall are small, which makes comparisons like this tricky. Each of the nation’s major carriers operate thousands of flights every day of the week. Unfortunate (and avoidable) as these accidents are, they’re bound to happen, and the numbers, through little more than chance, can paint one airline as guiltier than another. The media, meanwhile, both the social kind and the kind that used to matter, is out for blood, and pity the airline — particularly the one whose name begins with U — that so much as looks crossly at a customer’s doggie or kitty.

Unless of course that doggie or kitty — or pot-bellied pig, or iguana, or llama (yes) — is playing dress-up and posing as an “emotional support animal.” Yeah, the whole faux service animal thing has been simmering for some time now, and the airlines — most of them — are finally cracking down. The timing is bad here, maybe, as the new policies, together with the death of the bulldog puppy and the wayward shepherd, could make you think that airlines are decidedly hostile to pets. Which they are not.

I’m not gonna get too deep into the service animal thing. As an animal lover, I’m of the mind that we should have more animals — and perhaps fewer passengers — on our planes. Also, and despite my protests, my mother once attempted to have her beloved miniature greyhound dubiously certified in this manner.

“I cannot ship him below deck!” she insisted. “There’s no heat or oxygen down there!”

That, incidentally, is false. Which brings us to the real point of this post, which is to give some comfort to those people who are anxious about shipping their pets in the freight compartment. I can understand how tempting it is to want your critter with you right there in the cabin (though no, not in the overhead locker, unless perhaps it’s a python or a bat), but fear not the lower holds.

A lot of people are under the impression that the underfloor spaces are freezing and unpressurized. Not true. At 35,000 feet the outside temperature is about 60 degrees below zero and there isn’t enough oxygen to breathe. That’s worse than economy, and transporting animals in these conditions would rightfully displease their owners and animal rights groups. So, yes, the underfloor holds are always pressurized and heated. On most planes there’s a particular zone designated for animals. This tends to be the zone with the warmest and most consistent temperature. Maintaining a steady, comfortable temperature while aloft is relatively easy, but it can be tricky on the ground in hot weather, and for this reason some airlines embargo pets during the summer months.

Of the two million or so animals carried in the United States each year, a small number perish, whether due to stress or mishandling. How well a pet endures the experience depends a good deal on the individual animal’s health and temperament. If your dog or cat (or rabbit or macaw) is elderly, ill, or easily stressed or spooked, perhaps sending him or her through multiple time zones in a noisy and confined space isn’t the smartest idea. My best advice is to consult with a veterinarian.

The flight crew is always told when animals are aboard. Passengers are known to send handwritten notes to the cockpit asking that we take special care, but this isn’t really necessary, and, in any case, there’s not a lot we can do. There’s no access between the main deck and the lower holds, so we can’t carry treats to your friend below.

[gardenstateofmind]

wait okay one last comment: mini pigs/micro pigs that are advertised in pictures and videos are always babies, like super young, which is why they look so small. NONE OF THEM WILL STAY THAT SIZE, barring an unusual medical condition, they will grow to be at least 50 pounds minimum. encouraging breeders to develop "teacup" pigs is very dangerous because that leads to serious health problems, which can be seen in teacup dog and cat breeds animals are not an accessory, fashion statement, or a toy, they are living beings deserving of as much as respect as human lives. if you have the ability to care for a fully grown pot belly pig/other miniature pig breed, and are able make a commitment for their natural lifespan of around 15 years, then yes pigs are amazing pets. they are incredibly intelligent, affectionate, clean (contrary to popular belief, they are as clean or even cleaner than dogs or cats), and are fairly easily trained to live indoors. but keep in mind that they are a high maintenance pet-they are not only affectionate, they NEED interaction and play as they are generally very social and intelligent animals and can easily get bored; not every city or state/province allows them; they need specialized veterinary care; and of course, proper diet and exercise suited to their breed and their individual needs.

[mado-science]

Hoorah for Hawgs! Pigs are marvelous creatures; smart, loyal, mischievous and charming and I've loved pigs from my youth. Growing up on farms and ranches, pigs were almost family members - especially the Yorkshire we called "Arnold". He was as much a part of our big family as was our Border Collie Nomad. In my 40's, I even owned a miniature Pot-Bellied pig for a short time - until my spouse objected to it sleeping at the foot of our waterbed. My affection for swine prompted me to buy and read this book and I was not disappointed. Mrs. Montgomery has written a book every bit as charming as Christopher himself and did so without anthropomorphizing him - something I would never be able to avoid had I written the book. Of course, having had pigs and knowing what delightful critters they can be only made me appreciate Mrs. Montgomery's narrative all the more. It really is, without being mawkish, a brilliant work with all the cheesey accolades - heartwarming, endearing, delightful - to describe it. It was, in short, a fun and...well, 'heartwarming' biography of a remarkable porcine pal. If you love animals I definitely recommend this book to you. You won't be disappointed. Go to Amazon

A Lovely Book This was a gift to a young man who loves farm animals. I own and have read it several times and I have bought as a gift at least three times. When I finished this book, I stopped eating pork or pork products. Every time I looked at a pork chop, all I could think of was eating "Christopher Hogworth." Sy Montgomery is a naturalist who travels all over the world and writes books about wild animals geared to adults and to children. She is a brilliant writer and scientist. All of her books are outstanding. I believe this is the only book she's written about a domestic animal and it is a joy to read. Christopher was a dearly loved, sweet pig. He had many wonderful years with Ms. Montgomery, her family and friends. You can't go wrong with any of her books and I think this is the best one. Go to Amazon

An Interesting, Well-told Story The Good Good Pig is everything you want in a book - an interesting, well-told (true) story with heartfelt dialog and laugh-out-loud humor. Especially laugh-out-loud humor. It is rare for me to find a book I enjoy enough to give as a gift, but this is one of them. Sy Montgomery I'm thrilled you wrote this book. You should be very proud of your accomplishment. Go to Amazon

I fell in love with Christopher Hogwood and pigs in general In reading this book, I fell in love with Christopher Hogwood and pigs in general. The author is able to paint a brilliant picture using words leaving me thoroughly entertained. I gleaned information about pigs that I would never have imagined! Pigs are beautiful, intelligent, complex and loving creatures, who knew? I'm a school teacher with a goal to teach my students to love our planet and its creatures. Books, such as this one, helps achieve that goal. I loved this book and look forward to reading other titles by this author. Go to Amazon

Old and young readers will love it! Absolutely marvelous! I've bought 3 or 4 copies of this wonderful book - to send to grandchildren that live out of the US, and to give to another one that belongs to a book club. I'd heard that pigs rate the highest on the intelligence scale for domesticated animals - this book proves it! Go to Amazon

Wonderful heartfelt story for love of a pig This book will warm your heart and make you laugh out loud. You'll again feel the pull you felt as a child to just enjoy....the warm days, food, company and life in general, just like this wonderful pig did. He brings you back to simpler days of pure joy. Delightful book for anyone who cares anything about animals. Go to Amazon

GREAT enlightening read The Good Good Pig was an enlightening read, bring more than a few "ah ha" moments that will make you smile as you acknowledge them. The book engages the heart and reminds us all once again that there are moments we can learn about life when we least expect it. The lessons, in this case, come from a most portly porcine pet named Christopher Hogwood. The author states outright she is more in tune with animals than humans, and there is evidence of this throughout her descriptions which relate to animals. This book speaks to our lives and the empty spaces we have yet may not know they exist - and the remedy is this story. Enjoy a great read, enjoyable, funny at times - all the while revealing truths of this life. Go to Amazon

This is a beautiful story. I don’t have enough words to describe ... This is a beautiful story. I don’t have enough words to describe all the feelings this book will bring you. Pigs are more humans than humans itself. It’s incredible to see all the joy an animal can bring to people’s lives but only if we let them too. Most of pigs die but we think they are food and they were made for it I think when you read this book you feel very different about the world you grown up in Go to Amazon

I love her books and this was no exception A great read! Loved this wonderful Five Stars Five Stars A Good Good Book!! Five Stars Great book Five Stars Five Stars wonderful story!

[lilsmokiesjulianas]

What is the difference between a miniature pig, a micro pig and a teacup pig?   And are they real or just myths?

Can you tell which of these common phrases are true and which are false?

 “My friend has an adult micropig that only weighs 10 pounds!”

 “Miniature pigs don’t exist!”

 “All small pigs are starved!”

 “I was scammed by a breeder who said my pig was miniature but now it weighs more than 100 pounds!”

 Answer – All the above phrases are FALSE, and here’s why:

 Most full-sized pigs (farm hogs) are butchered when they are between 300 and 700 pounds.  If they are not butchered when they are young, they can grow to be over 1000 pounds.  The record size is reported to be over 1300 pounds!  Many people are surprised to learn that pigs are HUGE animals.

 One thing hog farmers have always known is that pigs are very smart, clean and loyal creatures. Many people who grow up on farms love to share their stories about their favorite pig growing up.  They bond very deeply and have always had a special relationship with the humans who raise them.

 In the 1980’s the first Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs were brought into the United States from Canada. They averaged in weight from 200 to 300 pounds as adults making them wildly popular as pets.  It was very appealing for families to get all the love, loyalty and intelligence of a pig in a pint-sized version that was less intimidating and easier to handle.  

 Today, there is a breed of pig referred to as the “American Miniature Pig”.  This breed has developed over many generations of breeding practices designed to make pet pigs smaller.  Scientists and medical researchers began the trend of breeding smaller and smaller pigs to make working with them in a laboratory easier.  Pet breeders have continued the trend and American Miniature Pigs are any combination of miniature pig breeds including Pot Bellies, Meishan, Gottingen, KuneKune, Juliana, feral pigs, and many other breeds.  

 The breed standard for a Miniature Pig says that they average 15-20 inches tall at the shoulder. These are the pigs that are erroneously referred to as “teacup pigs” or “micropigs”.  These terms are marketing terms designed by breeders to sell pet pigs, these are not breeds.  Ethical breeders (like Lil’ Smokies Julianas www.lilsmokiesjulianas.com ) who are members of reputable associations such as the American Miniature Pig Association, the Juliana Pig Registry and Mini Pig Breeders Inc, are strongly discouraged (or even forbidden) to use these terms when selling miniature pigs.  While Mini Pigs are much smaller than Potbellied Pigs or farm hogs, they do not fit in teacups and usually weigh 50 – 100 pounds or more.

 Another common purebred miniature pet pig is the Juliana.  The Juliana Pig Association and Registry website gives this breed standard description:

 “The Juliana Pig is a small colorful pig thought to originate in Europe through selective breeding of various kinds of pigs.  The Juliana Pig, also known as the Miniature Painted Pig, is small, spotted, and conformationally sound.  It should not exhibit a pronounced pot belly or sway back, should have a long snout, and be slight in frame.  Temperament is of the utmost importance since the Juliana has been specifically bred to work with humans.  While the Juliana breed is reputed to be quite old it is unsubstantiated whether or not the modern Juliana pig is of the same ancestry”.  They also say Julianas should be 15 – 17 inches tall and are always spotted. Registered Julianas are usually sold by reputable breeders at prices comparable to purebred dog prices.

 All miniature pigs, including American Miniature Pigs and Julianas, are excellent pets.  Plus, they have the distinction of being small enough to live inside the home.  Pigs as house pets are wildly popular because they are incredibly easy to potty train, can be trained to do a wide variety of tricks, are relatively inexpensive to own and are not prone to many health problems.  They are comparable in size to a bulldog and comfortably fit through a dog door.

 So, what about your friend who has a 10-pound adult?  Or your cousin who was scammed and has a 100+ pound miniature pig?  Why are some unusually small and others are unusually large? And how do you avoid falling victim to a breeder’s scam?

 First, only support ethical breeders who are members of the American Miniature Pig Association so you know that they have been screened and are held to a high ethical standard. Also, you can purchase a registered Juliana so that you can research the bloodline and see the pig’s lineage to be sure it comes from quality bloodlines.  www.lilsmokiesjulianas.com is a breeder that only sells registered Julianas and is a member of not only the AMPA, but MPB too.  So, you know you are getting a well bred pig.

 Assuming you purchase or adopt a well-bred miniature pig from a reputable breeder, there is still a huge range of pig weights once they go home.  So, the second thing to know about pig size is that weight is very dependent on how they are fed.  

 Pig growth can be “stunted” by feeding very limited quantities of food.  This practice is sometimes started at birth by an unethical breeder motivated to sell the world’s smallest pig.  The breeder will limit the nutrients the piglet is permitted to receive from its mother to limit growth.  This breeder may send piglets home with restrictive diet instructions to unsuspecting pet owners urging them to limit food to keep the pig small. This is very unhealthy for the pig and perpetuates the “micropig” myth.

 On the other end of the spectrum, many pet pigs are morbidly obese.  This too is very unhealthy for your pet.  Pigs are manipulative beggars and will convincingly pretend to be starving when they are in fact overfed.  Loving humans don’t want their beloved pet to be hungry and will feed them into obesity.  One of the disadvantages of owning such a smart pet is that pigs are more likely to train their owners than owners are to train the pig!  Some of the stories that start out, “my breeder scammed me”, are stories of overfed pigs.  Just because your pig weighs 125 pounds, doesn’t mean it should!

 So properly feeding your pig is one of the most important things you can do for the health of your pet. But we will have to save that discussion for another article.  Until then, thanks for reading, and don’t forget to hug a pig today!

[vintagewildlife]

Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs By: Michael Gilroy From: Pot-bellied Pigs and Other Miniature Pet Pigs 1992

[vintagewildlife]

Vietnamese pot-bellied pig By: Unknown photographer From: Pot-bellied Pigs and Other Miniature Pet Pigs 1992

[vintagewildlife]

Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs By: Isabelle Francais From: Pot-bellied Pigs and Other Miniature Pet Pigs 1992

[vintagewildlife]

Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs By: Michael Gilroy From: Pot-bellied Pigs and Other Miniature Pet Pigs 1992

[mado-science]

Hoorah for Hawgs! Pigs are marvelous creatures; smart, loyal, mischievous and charming and I've loved pigs from my youth. Growing up on farms and ranches, pigs were almost family members - especially the Yorkshire we called "Arnold". He was as much a part of our big family as was our Border Collie Nomad. In my 40's, I even owned a miniature Pot-Bellied pig for a short time - until my spouse objected to it sleeping at the foot of our waterbed. My affection for swine prompted me to buy and read this book and I was not disappointed. Mrs. Montgomery has written a book every bit as charming as Christopher himself and did so without anthropomorphizing him - something I would never be able to avoid had I written the book. Of course, having had pigs and knowing what delightful critters they can be only made me appreciate Mrs. Montgomery's narrative all the more. It really is, without being mawkish, a brilliant work with all the cheesey accolades - heartwarming, endearing, delightful - to describe it. It was, in short, a fun and...well, 'heartwarming' biography of a remarkable porcine pal. If you love animals I definitely recommend this book to you. You won't be disappointed. Go to Amazon

A Lovely Book This was a gift to a young man who loves farm animals. I own and have read it several times and I have bought as a gift at least three times. When I finished this book, I stopped eating pork or pork products. Every time I looked at a pork chop, all I could think of was eating "Christopher Hogworth." Sy Montgomery is a naturalist who travels all over the world and writes books about wild animals geared to adults and to children. She is a brilliant writer and scientist. All of her books are outstanding. I believe this is the only book she's written about a domestic animal and it is a joy to read. Christopher was a dearly loved, sweet pig. He had many wonderful years with Ms. Montgomery, her family and friends. You can't go wrong with any of her books and I think this is the best one. Go to Amazon

An Interesting, Well-told Story The Good Good Pig is everything you want in a book - an interesting, well-told (true) story with heartfelt dialog and laugh-out-loud humor. Especially laugh-out-loud humor. It is rare for me to find a book I enjoy enough to give as a gift, but this is one of them. Sy Montgomery I'm thrilled you wrote this book. You should be very proud of your accomplishment. Go to Amazon

I fell in love with Christopher Hogwood and pigs in general In reading this book, I fell in love with Christopher Hogwood and pigs in general. The author is able to paint a brilliant picture using words leaving me thoroughly entertained. I gleaned information about pigs that I would never have imagined! Pigs are beautiful, intelligent, complex and loving creatures, who knew? I'm a school teacher with a goal to teach my students to love our planet and its creatures. Books, such as this one, helps achieve that goal. I loved this book and look forward to reading other titles by this author. Go to Amazon

Old and young readers will love it! Absolutely marvelous! I've bought 3 or 4 copies of this wonderful book - to send to grandchildren that live out of the US, and to give to another one that belongs to a book club. I'd heard that pigs rate the highest on the intelligence scale for domesticated animals - this book proves it! Go to Amazon

Wonderful heartfelt story for love of a pig This book will warm your heart and make you laugh out loud. You'll again feel the pull you felt as a child to just enjoy....the warm days, food, company and life in general, just like this wonderful pig did. He brings you back to simpler days of pure joy. Delightful book for anyone who cares anything about animals. Go to Amazon

GREAT enlightening read The Good Good Pig was an enlightening read, bring more than a few "ah ha" moments that will make you smile as you acknowledge them. The book engages the heart and reminds us all once again that there are moments we can learn about life when we least expect it. The lessons, in this case, come from a most portly porcine pet named Christopher Hogwood. The author states outright she is more in tune with animals than humans, and there is evidence of this throughout her descriptions which relate to animals. This book speaks to our lives and the empty spaces we have yet may not know they exist - and the remedy is this story. Enjoy a great read, enjoyable, funny at times - all the while revealing truths of this life. Go to Amazon

This is a beautiful story. I don’t have enough words to describe ... This is a beautiful story. I don’t have enough words to describe all the feelings this book will bring you. Pigs are more humans than humans itself. It’s incredible to see all the joy an animal can bring to people’s lives but only if we let them too. Most of pigs die but we think they are food and they were made for it I think when you read this book you feel very different about the world you grown up in Go to Amazon

I love her books and this was no exception A great read! Loved this wonderful Five Stars Five Stars A Good Good Book!! Five Stars Great book Five Stars Five Stars wonderful story!