TEACUP PIGS
October 7, 2009 by Allie Pruitt
LONDON – The newest sensation taking hold of England? Miniature pigs!
Teacup pigs, also known as micropigs, are a specially bred mixture of potbellied pigs with the Tamworth, Kune Kune and Gloucester Old Spot breeds.
They are very small, weighing 9 ounces at birth and only reaching 65 pounds at full growth. They also never grow much higher than 12 to 16 inches.
Enamored? Well get ready to pay up. These piglets go for upwards of $1,100! As they are highly intelligent and need to be entertained, some breeders will only sell them in pairs, and to people who fit a certain criteria. Because they are considered farm animals, potential owners must also be licensed to keep livestock.
Are they worth the hassle? For those who are allergic to cats or dogs, they are great replacements for traditional pets, as they are about the same size and have hair instead of fur.
Jane Croft is a breeder who gave up her career in order to breed tea cup pigs full-time. “Demand for micro pigs is soaring and we are inundated with inquiries every day,” said Croft. “It’s amazing how popular they have suddenly become and just how many people want pigs as pets.”
There are no official teacup pig breeders in America, but considering their popularity, it’s likely they’ll be crossing the Atlantic soon enough!
