3 Lovable Pig Breeds You Can Keep as Pets, Animal Sake

Pigs as pets are cute, lovable, and have a friendly nature. The three most popular pig breeds kept as pets are the pot-bellied pig, the miniature pig, and the kune kune pig.

In comparison to dogs and cats, pigs are rarely kept as pets at home. They are widely domesticated for meat, but not for keeping as household companions. Search for domestic pigs and you will find a lot of information on pig breeds for meat and the best pig breeds to eat. On the contrary, very little data is available on types of pet pig breeds. In fact, the popularity of pigs as pets came into picture only in the last few decades, and that too when celebrities started keeping them.

Popular Pig Breeds for Pets

The main difference between a domesticated pig (or hog) and a wild pig is less hair growth in the former type. When it comes to pigs as pets, they are intelligent, playful, and can be trained in a similar way as we do for dogs. Nevertheless, they do not like cuddling or being picked up frequently. So careful and patient training may be required to stay close with them.

Pot-Bellied Pig

One of the most popular breeds of pet pigs is the pot-bellied (or pot belly) pig. It is relatively small compared to farmed pigs, or hogs. The positive traits of a pot-bellied pig are activeness, curiosity, affection, and being easy to train. Based on the hybrid, there are fourteen subspecies of pot-bellied pig breeds. Most of them are dwarf and grow to about the size of a medium or large dog.

Miniature Pig

Small miniature pig breeds are also known by the name teacup pigs. Developed for use in medical research, the miniature pig is smaller than other pet pig breeds. Attention and interaction are necessary to train a miniature pig. If possible, it is best to keep more than one miniature pig at a time, so that they always have a companion.

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Kune Kune Pig

The kune kune (or kunekune) breed is kept for meat as well as pets. A small, hairy pig breed originating from New Zealand, it has a friendly and adorable nature. The color of this pig type ranges from white, gold, brown, and black to a mixture of white and black. Unlike other pet pigs, the kune kune is ideal for indoor playing with kids.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do pet pigs live?

The lifespan of a pet pig ranges from 12 to 18 years. Some even live for more than 20 years.

How many subspecies does the pot-bellied pig have?

Based on the hybrid, there are fourteen subspecies of pot-bellied pig breeds.

Where does the kune kune pig come from?

The kune kune is a small, hairy pig breed originating from New Zealand.

Are pigs legal to keep as pets?

Being an exotic pet, some state regulations do not permit ownership of pigs as pets. Always check local laws before getting one.

Lifespan and Care

A cute pig sitting on green grass in warm sunlight — With the right care, pet pigs can live for well over a decade and become a beloved part of the family.

In general, the lifespan of a pet pig ranges from 12 years to 18 years. However, some of them can live for more than 20 years. Being an exotic pet, some state regulations do not permit ownership of pigs as pets. So remember to check whether you can keep them legally before buying one.

Very often, breeders put up rare pig breeds for sale. This is the best chance to get lovely pig breeds for keeping as house pets. With the right care and grooming, you will definitely enjoy sharing your home with these cuddly animals.

Word	What it means
Pot-bellied pig	A breed of domestic pig known for its round, drooping belly. Much smaller than a farm pig, it grows to about the size of a medium dog.
Teacup pig	Another name for small miniature pig breeds. The name comes from the idea that they were once small enough to fit in a teacup, though adult teacup pigs are larger than many people expect.
Kune kune	A small, hairy pig breed from New Zealand. "Kune kune" means "fat and round" in Māori. It is known for its two small wattles (called pīrau) hanging from its chin.
Hog	Another word for a domesticated pig, especially a full-grown one raised for meat. Pet pigs are far smaller than hogs.
Exotic pet	An animal that is not a traditional household pet like a dog or cat. Because pigs are exotic pets, some places have laws about whether you can keep one at home.
Dwarf breed	A breed that has been selectively bred to stay small. Most pot-bellied pig subspecies are dwarf breeds, which is why they are manageable as pets.

3 Extremely Lovable and Friendly Pig Breeds You Can Keep as Pets