Pig – Pot Bellied

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Vietnamese pot Belly Pig or Miniature Pot bellied Pig.

Basic Info

The pot belly pig is of the same family as ordinary farmyard pigs and boars and are capable of being inter bred with them. Adult pot-bellied pigs are about the size of a medium- or large-breed dog, though their bodies are denser at a weight of 60 to 300 lb (27 to 136 kg) and stand at 14-18 inches. Pot-bellied pigs can be easily discerned from other pig breeds by their size, upright ears and straight tail. Un-neutered male pigs, called boars, neutered males are "barrows" and female pigs, called "gilts" (young unbred females) or sows, become fertile at a young age, long before they are completely physically mature. Pot-bellied pigs are considered fully grown by six years of age, when the Epiphyseal plates in their spines finally close. Potbellied pigs (PBPs) are clean, highly intelligent and loving creatures. In fact, pigs in general are the fourth smartest animal in the world. Pot-bellied pigs require extra patience and lots of love, but more than make up for it with their personality. Typical colors are white, black, black and white or pinto. Pigs have a great sense of smell and are used to locate truffles. Many people take the pigs as a pet but it is well advised to consult a local pig rescue farm for advise and possibly a pig that is trained and suited to your needs. Please also note many cities have by-laws preventing you from having one as a pet. So call your local animal control authority to ask before getting one.

Health

Birthing - Gestation 3 months 3 weeks 3 days (usually 3 o'clock in the morning). The litter size is usually between 4-12 piglets; weaning occurs after 5-6 weeks.

Habitat

Domesticated Farm Animal originally from Vietnam.

Behavior

Like all pigs they like to be clean and are social and prefer to be in groups (called a pog) rather then alone. At two to three years of age they will fight for their position in the pog. If they are you pet they will tackle young children to show their dominancy over then so owner must beware. They get along fie with cats but should never be left alone with dogs. They do not like cuddling but are very social in their own way. If one tries to pick up the pig it will get frightened and start to squeal. The squeal is very loud and has been measured at 115 decibels (A jet taking off is 113 decibels.). A very curious animal and love to root in the mud for grubs; the mud also is the only way they have to cool off in the heat as they have no sweat glands.

Origin

South East Asia and most commonly associated with Vietnam.

History

The potbellied pig is a direct descendent of the old world wild pig family: Order (Artiodactyla), Suborder (Suina), Family (Suidae), Genus (Sus Scrofa) the wild boar. The potbellied pig we share our, homes and lives with, is generally associated with South East Asia and, in particular, Vietnam. It is technically not a breed ("a group of animals that have been selected by man to possess a uniform appearance that is inheritable and distinguishes it from other groups of animals within the same species"), but a "local type" (generally indigenous to an area). The variety we see in America today is probably the results of the cross-breeding of four "local types" of Vietnamese pigs. They share many common characteristics (pointed ears, sway back, straight tail, pot belly, size and gentle disposition) and originate in different parts of Vietnam.

Common Foods

Wild pigs will eat practically anything, but their primary diet is leaves and grasses, roots, fruits and flowers. They will eat insects and dead carcasses and strip bark off trees. There are stories of swine killing snakes and such, but I have not actuall