Full-grown, full-sized pigs can reach seven or eight hundred pounds. Compared to that, a ninety-pound "teacup" is indeed a miniature. Unfortunately, even breeders have difficulty predicting the eventual size of a piglet. Pigs grow for three to four years and may produce offspring before reaching full size. For this reason, parent size may not provide an accurate estimate of a piglet's future size and pet buyers can be misled.
Pigs are Big
According to Nancy Shepherd of Pig O' My Heart Potbellies, former commercial pig breeder and author of the self-published book Potbellied Pig Parenting, the use of the word miniature has been misinterpreted since the beginning of the potbellied pig revolution. Ms. Shepherd tells people to expect a mature, purebred potbellied pig to weigh between 60 and 175 pounds.
Nonetheless, some pet pig sellers continue to claim that teacup potbellied pigs will top out at 25 to 50 pounds and grow no taller than six inches. Overwhelmed pig buyers continue to relinquish their 100-pound pets to animal rescue shelters and sanctuaries.
Sixteen-year pig welfare professional Priscilla Valentine, author of the article Teacup Pigs or Pork Barrels?, claims to have met many, if not most, large breeders of miniature pigs, but has yet to see a full-grown pig in the range of 25 to 50 pounds.
Former breeder, Nancy Shepard, also claims never to have seen a naturally small "teacup" pig. She describes the small pigs she has seen as appearing unhealthy and stunted, and lacking good bone structure, conformation, and general body condition.
Pigs are Big-Hearted
Pigs can make good pets for people who appreciate pig characteristics such as a sweetness, docility, intelligence, and inquisitiveness. For this reason, some disillusioned "lap pig" owners bond with their pets against the odds and choose to cope with and adapt to the pig's increasing size.
In addition to being sweet and smart, pigs are known to be quiet, clean, non-allergenic, easily trained, and playful. On the down side, like dogs, pigs may damage property out of boredom or in pursuit of food, and some pigs show dominance aggression. This is of particular concern when introducing a pig to a home with children and other pets.
For would-be pig owners for whom size is a significant concern, Priscilla Valentine recommends steering clear of breeders who advertise "tiny" pigs and instead consider adopting a small, full-grown adult from a pig sanctuary or animal shelter. Otherwise, a pig may not be a fitting choice.
At an average of 75 to 90 pounds, miniature potbellied pigs are comparable in size to the average large dog. If this size is agreeable, along with a pig's notoriously winning personality, a pig may be the perfect choice of pet.
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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