![]() ![]() "It’s not like bringing a dog home,” says Tamara W., who adopted a mini pig named Oscar in 2015. Have dreams of bringing your little piggy home and snuggling on the couch or playing fetch together? Pigs and their human parents bond eventually - but the process is slow. But if it doesn’t, unlike a breeder, they’ll normally take the pig back," Hoyle says. Plus, since the pigs tend to be older, they’re more likely to have reached their full (or nearly full) size.Īnd because shelters are invested in finding forever homes for their pigs, they’ll take the time to educate you about your new companion’s needs. Shelters will only adopt out pigs that are healthy and well-socialized, so you’re less likely to have to deal with huge vet bills or behavior issues. There are other benefits to adopting, too. "There’s no need to spend thousands of dollars at a breeder when shelters and sanctuaries are already begging people to take their pigs," Hoyle says. But sadly, many owners put them up for adoption after just a year or two once they realize they can't care for them. Mini pigs can live for more than 20 years. A rescue is a much better bet than a breeder. If mom and dad are larger than what you could realistically care for, their piglet probably isn’t the right one for you. Your best bet is to visit your pig’s parents in person so you can see how big they are, according to American Mini Pig Association. (That sounds huge, but compared to full-size farm pigs, which hover around 600 pounds, they are mini.) “A breed of very tiny pigs doesn’t exist in nature," he adds.Īnd because pigs can take up to five years to reach their full size, it’s tough to tell how large your new pet eventually become. “There are 15 to 20 breeds of mini pig, and all of them are 150 to 180 pounds at full size,” says Hoyle. Problem is, none of them are regulated - so it’s pretty tough to know exactly how big your little pig will get. Mini, micro, teacup, pixie: There are lots of different names that breeders use to describe their pigs. Hair coat is coarse, thick and may be quite long in the winter.Life With a Mini Pig 1. Spotting may fade/blend in as the hair coat gets longer, but pigmentation on the skin must be visible when washed or shaved. Spotting should be profuse and random, not in a piebald pattern. Spots are generally black, but can also be red or white. Hocks should never be weak.įEET: strong, closed, even, and forward facingĬOLORATION: Always spotted the base color can be silver, white, red, rust, black, or cream. When viewed from the side, hocks should be set slightly back and be strong. Rear legs should be set apart, but under the body. Two toes of even length and two dewclaws on each foot. Front legs should be set under the shoulders but converge when in motion. LEGS: Set well apart, straight when viewed from the front and rear. When excited or in motion the Juliana tail may curl or twist. TAIL: Straight when relaxed with a switch on the end. Leniency is given to sows who have produced litters. A slight roundness in the belly is permissible, but there should not be a ‘Pot belly’ present. A slight sway in the back is permissible but discouraged. Chest and shoulders should be of medium width, neither broad nor narrow. The top line should be straight and of proportionate length. Eyes are almond shaped, clearly visible, and can be blue to almost black.īODY: Lean and muscular The Juliana Pig should never look round or flabby. HEAD: The most prominent feature of the head is a long straight snout that is neither turned up nor snubbed. The Juliana should never be pudgy, heavily wrinkled, or sluggish in appearance. It should be lean, longer than it is tall, and athletic in appearance. ![]() It more closely resembles a small version of a large hog or feral pig than it does the Pot Belly Pig. The Juliana is a small, colorfully spotted pig. ![]()
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