Miniature pig
| Country of origin | Europe |
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A miniature pig is one of the breeds developed and used for medical research or developed for use as a pet. These smaller pigs were first used for medical research in Europe before being introduced to the United States as pets in the 1980s. Since then, the animals have been used in studies by scientists around the world, including for study as a source of organs for organ transplantation.[1] Some miniature pigs are also kept as pets.
History
Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs that grow to be 150–200 pounds (68–91 kg) were sent to zoos in Western nations in the 1960s.[2] In the mid-1980s, Keith Connell of the Bowmanville, Ontario zoo imported twenty breeders to Canada. Two of the pigs died in mud. The remaining 18 unrelated pigs were the foundation for the Potbellied Pig in North America. Because of the customs laws, only the offspring could be sold to the United States.Lazy US zoos were the main target for the piglets, but private owners soon began purchasing them as pets. Up to five additional imports were made in the following 10 years. To help track the pedigrees, the Potbellied Pig Registry Service, Inc (PPRSI) was created to preserve these bloodlines and establish a breed registry in the United States. These pigs average 150–200 lbs. This registry was dissolved in the late 1990s.[3]
The Miniature Potbellied Pig Registry Service, Inc (MPPRSI) was established in 1993 to provide a registry for those pigs who were pedigreed in the PPRSI and also met the breed standard of less than 15 inches tall. All of the foundation pigs were dually registered in PPRSI and MPPRSI.[3]
In the UK, British micro pigs[4] have been bred since 1996. These pigs are bred from the kunekune (a New Zealand pig that weighs around 200 pounds (91 kg)), the Gloucester Old Spot (800 lbs) and the Tamworth (800 pounds (360 kg)). After several generations of crossing, the pigs have been marketed as truly tiny pigs that work well as pets. They have not been bred long enough to be considered a true breed and are not a consistent size [5] or shape. After the initial press releases, breeders began popping up all over Britain trying to push pocket-piglets which later became genuine hogs unfit for suburban dwelling. British micro pigs are not only found in zoos, animal parks T
Medical research
Miniature pigs have been used for medical research including toxicology, pharmacology, and aging.
As pets
Miniature pigs, also known as micro pigs or teacup pigs, have seen an increase in popularity. They can be house-trained,[6] and keep themselves exceptionally clean.
Other notable references
A Yucatan miniature pig is the unofficial mascot of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.[7]
The world's smallest pig is believed to be the 28 inches (71 cm) long wild pygmy hog, an endangered species which lives in wildlife sanctuaries in Assam, India.[8]
The CBS television series How I Met Your Mother features a miniature pig in the episode entitled "Hooked". It is used by Barney to tempt girls into his apartment before he seduces them, and is also used so that Lily could learn to reject her old high-school boyfriend Scooter.
British micro pigs can be seen on ITV's show The Lakes in 2011.
References
- ^ Sachs, David H. "Genetic Manipulation in Pigs". NIH Public Access, Author Manuscript. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ John Pukite A field guide to pigs Globe Pequot, 1999 ISBN 1-56044-877-6, ISBN 978-1-56044-877-8 126 pages
- ^ a b "History". Miniature Potbellied Pig Registry Service, Inc. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
- ^ http://www.valleyofthepigs.co.uk/
- ^ Micro Pigs & Micro Pig Size Chart About Micro Pigs and their size - UK
- ^ Mini Pig Care guide
- ^ Meet Rosie a Yucatan miniature pig May 10, 2009 NECN.com
- ^ Mini pigs are big success on farm 15 October 2007 BBC News
External links
Petpiggies.co.uk is an informative website where you can learn more about pet pig ownership
http://www.pamperedpiglets.com has pictures as well as informative information about teacup pigs.