The main difference to me is their attitude. Dogs have been bred to serve, obey, and make their owners happy. Dogs are subservient to us. Pigs are the complete opposite. Pigs see you as an equal or more likely, lower on the totem pole than them.

Pigs have a hierarchy similar to wolves. One pig will be the alpha and the ruler of the herd, every other herd member will defer to the alpha pig. And indeed many pigs are rehomed or dumped by idiot owners when the pig starts to challenge them for his "place" in the herd. A pig needs to be reminded that his piggy parent is top pig In the family "herd".

They start to challenge when they reach 1 to 2 years old, and an experienced piggy parent will simply employ a technique called "Move the Pig". Simply put, if you control the pigs feet, you control the pig. You shuffle your feet towards them and move them right into another room. And speaking of disiplining a pig, it's very different from a dog. A momma pig disciplines her babies by shoving them on the shoulder, or moving them with her snout a few feet away, or maybe a fast head swipe. She doesn't swat, slap, punch, or strike her babies, she just "moves" them.

Of course you've heard that they're very smart, they are. The listing of smart animals (mammals) goes in this order:

Humans (that can be debated), the Great Apes, Elephants, Dolphins, Pigs. Amazing isnt it?

That means that pigs can think about things, worry, get angry, feel joy, loneliness, despair, depression, and total happiness. I've seen some smart dogs, but I've never seen the range of emotions from a dog that I see almost daiky from a pig. Always remember that they can think...a pig can figure out your refrigerator door in a heartbeat. Open cabinet doors, gates, and drawers. Because they're so smart, they get bored easily. A bored piggy is a destructive piggy...ripped up carpets, chewed drywall, torn couches, etc.

Pigs are sort of high maintenance. It's like having a 3 year old around for 20 years. They also need to root. It's what they're designed for. Don't get a pig if you want a pristine lawn. They also require a good quality mini pig food. You can't feed them crap any more than you'd feed yourself crap or your child crap. They tend towards being overweight, just like us a healthy diet and exercise work wonders.

I am going to disagree with the previous answer in that all vets know pigs. We live in an age of specialization in our medicine and even veterinary medicine. Pigs do not tolerate anesthesia common to dogs and cats, many pigs put under by vets unexperianced with pigs don't wake up. Have a good mini pig vet lined up, and by the way a farm vet is not a mini pig vet. Farm vets do NOT run into the same issues with farm pigs as mini pig vets do. Cancer and spaying come to mind immediately. Of course there are some farm vets that can do it all, but they are rare.

The last thing I can think of are how amazing a pigs eyes are. When you look into them you can see there's an amazing animal in there. Piggy love is like no other.

In my experience, pigs are extremely difficult pets to own. I love my pig so much but if I could go back, I would have chose not to get a pig. I will be completely honest because I wish I knew how hard they are before getting one.

I think pigs are best with owners who are home all the time and have A LOT of patience to deal with their annoying behavior. Pigs destroy things so you’d have to be okay with a torn up yard, ALL pigs root up their lawn. They tear up all their blankets , toys, and beds. They will get into everything, my pig grabs a bag of chips out of the pantry and takes it into her crate to eat. They are extremely loud, my pig purposely screams every morning for me to feed her breakfast. When locked in her crate, my pig will claw up and rub loudly on the floor of her crate just to annoy me and make me let her out. The sounds they make are the most annoying sounds I’ve ever heard. She also walks around the house grunting because she wants someone to feed her (They are always hungry). Pigs have no want to please their owners, they actually think they are the boss of the house. Exercises have to be done frequently to show the pig who’s the boss. Pigs are VERY similar to toddlers, they are pretty much toddlers that live for 20 years and don’t speak English.

On the plus side, pigs are highly intelligent ( This is can be good and bad). They can learn very quickly, My pig knew 4 tricks before she was 4 weeks old. She now knows 16 tricks; sit, spin, high five, kiss, backup, crawl, bow, come, push ball, weave, Figure Eight, stay, jump over, Go away, wave, and her favorite is closing doors. Pigs learn very quickly to use a litter box, My pig automatically went into her litter box. My pig also transitioned into going to the bathroom outside on her own, she doesn’t use a litter box anymore. Pigs can easily be taught anything and they will learn within hours. Also, the love they give is very special. Lastly, their bodies are very similar to ours so anything we can eat they can also eat. This makes feeding them very easy. With that being said, they do need to be on a strict diet of mini pig pellets, fruits, and veggies, with healthy snacks. Many people think miniature pigs are staved to stay small, this is not true. Pigs have no way to feel when they are full, they will keep eating until they die. So it’s important to keep your pig on a diet of only a certain amount of pellets, they cannot be free fed. If given too much food, they will become obese and end up dying.

I would also like to mention how pigs behave when not spayed/ neutered. All male pet pigs need to be neutered, they smell awful and are extremely aggressive. Female pigs go into heat every 3 weeks. When in heat, they are very aggressive. My pig is not spayed, she normally does not act aggressive towards me but chases, jumps, and bites everyone else in my house. It is definitely recommend to spay your female pig.

In conclusion, pigs are very difficult for many people to own but are easy to train.

They make great pets, but they are not for the faint of heart. In other words, they are not an “easy” or simple pet.

Let me tell you the good and the bad:

It’s like having a 3 year old toddler for 20 years. They are super smart so they have to be kept busy and challenged or they'll start chewing on your sheet rocked walls and pulling up your carpet for fun. They get into everything (just like a 3 yr old).

They can be very emotional, with feelings identical to our own. Grumpy, angry, frustrated, sad, depressed, etc…along with happy, loving, and wanting snuggles.

They are a forever pet. If you can't commit 20 years then pass on a pet pig. They form tremendously strong bonds with their “herd”, (that's you and the rest of your family) and grieve terribly for the loss of their family. Some to the point of death.

There is no such thing as a micro, nano, pocket, or other silly marketing term for a teeny tiny pig. They are pigs, they get big. A 20 - 30 lb healthy adult pig is a fantasy. Many breeders simply starve their pigs and have their customers starve the pigs they sell to them to keep them small. Absolutely horrible.

Mini pigs can get up to 350 lbs…yes, that is still a mini. Anything smaller than a 600 lb farm pig is a mini. The average though for a mini is from 75 - 150 lbs. Pigs continue to grow until 4 to 5 years old, they aren't considered adults until they are 5.

Pigs are VERY dense. Our two pigs are around 120 lbs each and are only the size of a medium dog. Not a problem at all.

Pigs and dogs do NOT mix. Dogs are predators and pigs are prey. Even the sweetest dog regardless of size will react eventually to the urge to kill when they hear the squeal of a pig. Pigs cannot defend themselves at all against a dog.

Many cities do not allow pigs as pets. That is changing but v e r y slowly. Check your zoning.

I truly hope you are still reading…lol.

I have never loved a pet like I love our pigs, actually I love them more than most humans. And that feeling is very common among pig owners. Pigs are sort of magic and I can't explain it at all, but they’ve opened my heart to pure compassion that I've never felt before. At Daisy’s (black piggy) first oink I fell madly in love and we rescued Hammer (grey with black spots) a couple of months later.

I mean really, does it get any cuter than this?? Haha.

The circle around the top picture is Hammer’s tusk. Yes, males and females both grow tusks.

I would and have, and I have to say they’re the most affectionate, adorable, stubborn little sweethearts you can imagine. As Churchill said, “Dogs look up to you, cats look down on you, but pigs look you right in the eye.”

However, you need to be aware that they’re a large animal — it’s far more like having a horse than having a cat or dog. I used to carry our Kunes around in my arms when they were piglets, letting them look at the world over my shoulder. When they were grown, they’d still insert themselves into my arms while I was sitting down, and look at me, plainly thinking “But why can’t you pick me up?”

“Because you weigh 300lb!” is the short answer to that. :)

You’ll need a “pig ark” (small stable or shed) for them to inhabit, outdoors, and a supply of straw for them to sleep on. They’ll need a trough, ideally with plumbed in water. And you can buy sacks of pig nuts (or whatever they locally call pig food) for their main diet, while saving treats for special occasions. Most importantly, you need a reasonable small paddock or field for them to root through, dig up to make cool “scrapes” to lay in for summer, wallow in mud, and with some vegetation for shade in summer — the last two for the same reason: pigs easily get sunburned.

And you’ll need to clear them out. Pigs are naturally clean, when allowed to be, but they’re going to crap (usually in a corner of their choosing) and someone has to shovel it away…

In other words, it’s much like keeping pigs for meat. Except you don’t eat them.

Scared off yet? If not, then I’ll tell you what you get:

Piglets. What’s more adorable than piglets?

And then you get…

Teen pigs! And finally you get…

…Piglets, the Next Generation!

The large pig here, Patch, is the smaller pig of the previous picture. His father was a Gloucester Old Spot: hence he doesn’t look very Kune-like.

Here is Patch, in his later years, also with my other half:

Dean is the one in the hat.

OK, final hints in pet pig keeping. If you think your piglet doing something cute is fine, imagine him doing it at 300–500lbs! Not so cute. So you spend as much time as you can teaching your piglet not to do things — particularly nibbling things — mainly by pushing their little noses away and saying “No”, until they get it. Have patience. Once they’re taught, they’ll remember all their lives.

Pigs can be taught, but NEVER HIT A PIG. Pigs’ memories last for years, and they will remember you were cruel.

When you need to discipline them (as opposed to convince, or distract them), what you do is use your first finger and give your piglet a tap on the nose — not hard — and in a loud voice say “Bad pig!” The tip of a pig’s snout is what it uses to rootle up earth, stones, flints — you won’t hurt the pig by tapping it, you will get his attention. And because pigs get attached to humans, they don’t like you to be cross with them. They’ll stop what they’re doing, usually, and be very hang-dog until forgiven.

A pig is as smart as a two year old human. And they are utterly loving. They’ll remember you, sleep in your lap, walk with you, roll over to have their tummies rubbed, and sometimes possessively show you that you’re part of the herd.

Patch again. When a 300lb pig sticks his head on your boot, trust me, just enjoy it — you’re not going anywhere!

They make a wonderful pet, but (like horses, I imagine) they’re going to take up a lot of your time.

They’re worth it.

For me, my Daisy who is now 3 years old, is an amazing pet and frankly a great companion. A pet pig is not for someone who can't devote a lot of time and love to their animals though. They can be a bit "high maintenance" lol.

They're super smart, they can figure things out, like how to get into your top desk drawer where you hide your snacks...and they have all the very same emotions as we do. That isn't a shock to most animal lovers, but the depth of emotion that a pig can feel can be heartbreaking (if they're sad or grieving).

Having a pet piggy is like having a 4 year old for 20 years...lots of work. They challenge you, they bite your friends and family, you must feed them healthily - not too little or too much, they pee all over, a house pig must have some time outside, and a normal mini pig will be around 90 to 150 lbs - no pig is healthy at only 20 lbs, don't believe that sh*t. All of those issues can be solved. When a pig jumps up into your lap and falls asleep in your arms, your heart will melt. A pig is like no other animal...it's really hard to explain how hard pig people fall for their pigs. I would defend Daisy with my life. Go to a pig rescue or sanctuary and check them out, and join a Facebook piggy group to see what owners go through.

I’m getting this secondhand, but one of my “barn” friends (we keep our horses at the same stable) received a Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig one year for her birthday. This was at the height of the pigs’ popularity at the end of the 80s; once folks had had the opportunity to get to know them, they lost popularity.

Her adorable 5-lb. piglet grew up to be a 70-lb. pig—still adorable, but this aspect alone probably wouldn’t suit someone with space constraints or strict landlords. That wasn’t the problem she had, however.

Her piglet, Pearl, was very intelligent and easy to train. She became housetrained in one session; she learned clever tricks, like a dog, and even learned where their property boundaries were, she never strayed.

My friend was an indulgent “parent;” she was accustomed to a slightly dirty, sometimes smelly animal, even in her home. Pearl got a bath or two a week, her feet were trimmed at least once a year by the barn’s farrier (some owners do it themselves), she got regular vaccinations and worming, and at least two physical checkups a year. All pretty normal care. But…

Pearl love to eat—she was, after all, a pig! And she was very opinionated—and vocal. Nothing could happen in the kitchen without her attending and demanding (not begging) morsels. She slept on the leather sofa, and it suffered visibly for it. When people visited and sat there, Pearl would be incensed that someone else dared to sit on her bed, and let everyone know it!

Did I say she was vocal? She made a tremendous amount of noise. If denied food, she squalled! If she was made too stay on the floor, she grumbled, and if she had to do anything she didn’t want to do, she screamed bloody murder!

Pearl became a “barn pig” just shy of her second birthday…

I think it depends where you live..

You can keep this in your apartment..

But what about this?

If you have a farm, I imagine they could be very good pets!😃

In my experience, pigs are extremely difficult pets to own. I love my pig so much but if I could go back, I would have chose not to get a pig. I will be completely honest because I wish I knew how hard they are before getting one.

It really depends on the person, I think pigs are best with owners who are home all the time and have A LOT of patience to deal with their annoying behavior. Pigs destroy things so you’d have to be okay with a torn up yard, ALL pigs root up their lawn. They tear up all their blankets , toys, and beds. They will get into everything, my pig grabs a bag of chips out of the pantry and takes it into her crate to eat. They are extremely loud, my pig purposely screams every morning for me to feed her breakfast. When locked in her crate, my pig will claw up and rub loudly on the floor of her crate just to annoy me and make me let her out. The sounds they make are the most annoying sounds I’ve ever heard. She also walks around the house grunting because she wants someone to feed her (They are always hungry). Pigs have no want to please their owners, they actually think they are the boss of the house. Exercises have to be done frequently to show the pig who’s the boss. Pigs are VERY similar to toddlers, they are pretty much toddlers that live for 20 years and don’t speak English.

On the plus side, pigs are highly intelligent ( This is can be good and bad). They can learn very quickly, My pig knew 4 tricks before she was 4 weeks old. She now knows 16 tricks; sit, spin, high five, kiss, backup, crawl, bow, come, push ball, weave, Figure Eight, stay, jump over, Go away, wave, and her favorite is closing doors. Pigs learn very quickly to use a litter box, My pig automatically went into her litter box. My pig also transitioned into going to the bathroom outside on her own, she doesn’t use a litter box anymore. Pigs can easily be taught anything and they will learn within hours. Also, the love they give is very special. Lastly, their bodies are very similar to ours so anything we can eat they can also eat. This makes feeding them very easy. With that being said, they do need to be on a strict diet of mini pig pellets, fruits, and veggies, with healthy snacks. Many people think miniature pigs are staved to stay small, this is not true. Pigs have no way to feel when they are full, they will keep eating until they die. So it’s important to keep your pig on a diet of only a certain amount of pellets, they cannot be free fed. If given too much food, they will become obese and end up dying.

I would also like to mention how pigs behave when not spayed/ neutered. All male pet pigs need to be neutered, they smell awful and are extremely aggressive. Female pigs go into heat every 3 weeks. When in heat, they are very aggressive. My pig is not spayed, she normally does not act aggressive towards me but chases, jumps, and bites everyone else in my house. It is definitely recommend to spay your female pig.

In conclusion, pigs are very difficult for many people to own but there are some good qualities.

This is my one year old Juliana mix, Penelope May. She’s extremely spoiled.

Pigs are amazing companions! Please remember, tho, there is no such thing as a "teacup" pig, they all grow up, usually around to 150 lbs. But they're still compact, so about the size of a medium sized dog.

My pigs are wonderful, we adore them. They're super smart, they have the intelligence of a 4 to 5 yr old human child. But this also means they're naughty and always get into trouble. Hahaha! You never know what a pig will think of next. They're also very affectionate, they give kisses, cuddle and love belly rubs. They follow you around and demand attention. They can be independent or needy, depending on their mood. It really is like having a toddler! Except pigs live about 20 years. :)

They also are super clean and easy to housebreak or to train to use a litter pan. They need outside time, esp to dig in the mud or in a rooting box, which they do for fun. Pigs are not allowed as pets in some cities (like NYC), so it's important to consider where you live. And they can't be left alone for long periods of time because, like I said, they'll get bored and get into trouble.

I recommend visiting a pig sanctuary. Ross Mill Farms is a potbellied pig rescue in Pennsylvania that has over 200 potbellied pigs walking around! There are other sanctuaries in the country. Pigs are wonderful, amazing companions and I highly recommend adopting one. But def do your research before making this huge committment.

Most cities don’t allow you to own a pot-bellied pig, because it is classed as livestock, not a pet like a dog or cat. It is a sub-species of the pig, and grows to be 150 to 300 pounds.

It requires a vet with special training in pot-bellied pigs.

It requires a swine flu shot, unlike dogs and cats.

You cannot pick it up or cuddle it. It will interpret that as an attack. You can rub snouts, yours to its, if you want.

Unlike cats or dogs, the pot-bellied pig gets sunburned.

Pot-bellied pigs do not see well at all. They rely on scent and hearing to move around.

The pig can be trained to urinate/defecate in one spot, and you can even use kitty litter if you can get a large enough pan. However, if you let it make a “mistake” more than once in the same spot, it will keep doing it there, led by the odor.

Almost all pot-bellied pigs end up being abandoned. Most pot-bellied pig shelters are already full. If abandoned in the wild, it will die of starvation.

One problem with pet pigs is their instinctive desire to root. They'll use their noses to root up your carpet, and sometimes even your sheet vinyl. On pig farms, rooting behavior is discouraged by placing hog rings in the pigs’ noses. Many pet pig owners are unwilling to do that, though.

Yes! When I was living with my parents they only ever had shelter dogs, I realise now that's because we were too poor to afford a pedigree dog but that's besides the point.

Before I was born my dad rescued a Red Doberman from being drowned as the litter wasn't wanted and were the puppies from a yard security dog. The puppy my dad rescued came home with him at approx 1 week old and he was named Prince, he was the size of a rat and my mum had to put him in the bathtub when she did any cleaning because she was terrified she'd stand on him. Prince was funny, loyal and completely doted on our family until he died at 13 years old from kidney failure. He was definitely my dads dog and would do anything for my dad.

The next dog was called King (already named by the shelter). King came from an animal charity called MaxiCare in Northamptonshire UK and he had quite severe health issues which affected his stomach, back legs, back bones, hip alignment, he also absolutely hated other dogs. My mum loved King from the moment he climbed out of his concrete floored kennel and into my dads Renault 95. King was thankful his entire life for the love my mum showed to him and the life our family was able to give him. King was given 6 months to live, but he was with us for 8 years!! I think that really shows how a loving home can save a dog.

Once King passed away, my mum said “no more dogs, my heart can't take it”.

2 months later we were bringing a Doberman x Collie lady-dog with no name from a shelter that kills animals if they haven't found new homes within a few weeks. She was all skin and bone and wouldn't look at anyone. We named her Tia and she is my world.

She's been living with my family for 9 years and she is so loving and gentle. She doesn't like having her photo taken or loud noises, but she's such a spoilt princess now and loves with her whole heart. She is the kindest and softest dog I've ever met. She also likes you to hold her paw when you watch tv and feed her maltesers when no one is looking.

So, after all my babbling (and crying over my old furry friends) I would like to say that YES, shelter dogs make extraordinarily good pets.

David, pot bellied pigs have become quite popular in the past several decades. Owners report they are loving, funny and not hard to care for. But there are some real differences from cats and dogs.

Diet: Whereas dogs and cats diets are based primarily on meat, a pig’s diet is all about grains and veggies, just the opposite of dogs and cats. You can buy pellets designed specifically for pot bellied pigs. Good site for information: Potbellied Pig Information

You need more information before you decide to get a PBP. Here’s a few questions to ask yourself. (From above site)

First, ask yourself what expectations you have when it comes to giving a pig a forever home.

• Are you looking for an easy pet?
• One with little odor?
• Are you prepared for the cost of owning an animal that requires special care?
• Do you live in an area zoned for pigs?
• Are you alright with having your yard dug up?

Though PBP’s make awesome pets, they require unique care and your area must be zoned for a PBP. Just as with dogs and cats, this is a committment to this animal for all it’s life.

Smaller pig breeds do. A friend of mine had a pet pig, I forget his breed, but in most ways he was an excellent pet. Once at Christmastime we dressed him up in a Santa suit and took him to a downtown bar. He became overexcited, forgot his toilet manners and was ejected from the bar but that was our fault, not his.

He was smart, affectionate and adaptable, excellent company. His only real fault as a pet was that he grew to over 400 pounds, which is awfully big for an indoor pet. Though he was smart, he never really figured out that he couldn’t be a lap pig after he got over 100 pounds. The results were often funny but not really what you’re looking for in a house pet.

Sure have!! My mother always wanted a potbellied pig. So after our old chocolate lab passed away we got one. Her name is Daisy.

Here she is as a baby.

We got Hammer 2 months later. Here he’s playing in the pine needles.

They are both headed for 6 years old now.

They were a ton of work at the beginning (and some days currently), it’s like having a toddler around for 20 years and our lives still revolve around them. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Yes, pigs are prone to get much respect and regarded as an excellent household pet in recent years. They are not only the cattle in the farmer but also human’s good companion. I had watched some documentary firm about pet pigs (in Taiwan) and conclude their merits combining with this post: Can I Register My Pig as an Emotional Support Animal?

In fact, most owners who have a pet pig compliment that pigs are also trainable and act as a good emotional support animal. A part of the reasons are listed:

Pigs generally have a lovely temperament and a docile personality. They love to be scratched, cuddled, massaged and accompanied by their owners. The playful characteristic of pigs always makes people smile and brings us positive energy. If you raise a pig from its birth, it would be more docile and have less aggression.

Pigs are also good at socialization. Since ancient times, pigs are a kind of highly socialized creature either at home or outside. They love to play games with families and the warm belly of them provides soft support for kids. What’s more, pigs also enjoy the outside sunshine like a dog. Leashing your pigs and leading it outside must catch much attention, which provides more opportunities to communicate with other people.

Pigs are trainable. Although pigs are not so trainable like a dog because their ancients have been not undergone long-term training, their high intelligence makes them react well at specific training.

However, pigs might require to regularly bath due to their scent. Some of them may grow up to the size of large dogs, so you should offer them a large space to live. In addition, lots of regions currently still don’t permit residents to raise a pig as a pet, so you should check out the local pet policy beforehand.

Easy when small.

Not so easy when larger.

We have a Juliana pig who weighs about 100 lbs. He lives in the house most of the time.

He uses a litterbox, but prefers to go outside to do his business most of the time, so urine and fecal smells are not a big issue.

But he does root. A LOT of his day is spent rooting. This is usually just rubbing his snout all over the floor. But if he finds something interesting to root in/around/at, that will catch his attention for a while. Like our wine rack. And our furniture. And the shoe rack. Those things end up being moved around and toppled daily.

Pigs are really bright and get bored easily, so this is what they do when they are in the house.

Oh, and they drool quote a bit. When they are hungry and when they smell food it's a waterfall. That mixed with the rooting makes for a floor that needs pretty regular attention.

They do. Generally.

This is my dog, Hachi:

He looks miserable in that photo with his “I really want to sleep why are you taking pictures” face on. I honestly don’t know why he likes contorting himself to such a degree. It’s a husky thing. They tend to come assembled wrong.

I’ve taught him how to pull a bike, how to spin in circles, how to go up an A-frame. He loves walks, he loves car rides, he loves people, and he loves going new places.

We go everywhere together. We’re in Death Valley, on a camping trip with friends. He got to pick on squirrels and birds and helped us drag back a bunch of wood we needed for the camp fire. He also got a lot of yummy treats, not including pieces of chicken, steak, someone’s unattended dinner roll…

He definitely lets you know when he’s unhappy. Hachi doesn’t like going down stairs, so he will bark and squeak and whine at you until you figure out a way to coax him down. (There is no way I’m carrying this 80 lb dog down a flight of stairs.)

I’d say he makes a good pet. Even better as there’s nowhere he’s unwilling to go. Minus the ocean of course; water is scary.

EDITED: The grammar has been bothering me for ages, so…. update!

While pigs are highly trainable and can learn at a faster rate than dogs, pig behavior is vastly different from dog behavior. ... Having a pet pig is kind of like having a perpetual two-year old child. It is because pigs are so intelligent that they can be so stubborn, demanding and manipulative. Pigs are playful, friendly, sensitive, and intelligent animals. They've long been considered smarter than dogs, and the complexity of their social lives rivals those of primates. Much like people, pigs are soothed by music, love playing ball, and even enjoy getting massages.

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Boars are very aggressive animals. Especially in the wild. If raised from birth as a pet they instinctually will still be aggressive. However it depends on how the animal is treated and if humans are kind to their parents/ grandparents. If kindness from humans was given to the parents of the boar then it is possible for the now domestic boar to be less aggressive towards people. But in general boars are aggressive and mean animals because they are prey. Females tend to grind their tusks down to sharp points to be able to easily disable an oponent. Males boars protect their herd and can be even more aggressive. In general I wouldn't say they would be good pets unless they have been bred in a domestic environment for many many generations.

Yes, completely.

1. Size. Only the very largest dog breeds are the size of a pig. Except in very rare cases, even the “micro-nano-super-mini-teacup” pigs grow to 100+ lbs.
2. Demeanor. Dogs were bred from wolves - animals that instinctively work together to solve problems and survive. Pigs may be a smart as dogs, but they do not instinctively want be on your team like a dog.
3. Legality. Dogs are the only animals recognized in the US as service animals, and it is fairly straightforward to find a place to rent with a dog, and they are legal to keep as pets almost everywhere. Pigs, on the other hand, are classified as livestock and unless you live in a agriculturally zoned property, are probably illegal.
4. Practicality. Where can you find a kennel that will board your pig? A vet with experience treating one? A collar or leash or kennel or packaged food made for pigs?

It’s not that a pig could be a bad house pet, it’s that most people are not up to the task of owning a pig as a house pet.

They are very smart, very curious, and very hungry. They throw tantrums, are strong enough to tip over your refrigerator, very vocal, and will challenge you in defense of their “territory” every chance they get.

So, it’s like having a three year old around for 20 years…except for that refrigerator part.

Actually the best thing a pet pig owner can do is to see their piggy as a 3 year old child. That’s the type of love and care that works best with them.

This is no cat that you can throw a big bowl of food down and refill it in a week.

This is no dog that will wait patiently for you to come from work…well, they will be waiting for you but your couch will be moved to the other side of the living room, all the cushions will be rooted through to the stuffing, and they will just be starting to pull up the linoleum in your kitchen. You’ve already had to replace the dry wall in your laundry room…

A pet pig needs routine, needs to be kept busy, and needs the room to root and explore. A pig is all about that nose, they have to touch and sniff everything. It’s a great adventure for them to look for new smells and dirt.

So…if you don’t have the time, patience, and love to take care of a 3 year old for 20 years, get a cat instead.

I have pet pigs and have administered a Yahoo information group on pigs and participated in the pig rescue community for more than 20 years. Pigs need outdoor time or they tend to get neurotic. Pigs root in nature, and while some pigs don’t experience the need to root when living indoors, many do, and there is no real way to know unless you adopt an adult who lived indoors. They can root up your carpet or linoleum in very quick time. They will also chew drywall if they are bored and cooped up inside, as well as get into your cupboards and refrigerator. So, while I do have a pet pig, and had two until my eldest one died last winter at 21 years of age, I would never suggest someone get a pig and think it will be happy without a yard and outdoor time to just be a pig. Here is a copy of another post I made about keeping pigs as pets:

I have had 2 potbelly companions, the oldest of which died this past winter at the age of 21 years. The younger one hasn’t been his old self since she passed away. Pigs are extremely intelligent and sensitive. They have been known to die of a broken heart after being abandoned by their “human” (whether the human did it voluntarily or not, as in their own death). So they are not to be toyed with, or gotten on a whim, or abandoned when their requirements affect your choices in housing and mobility (which it will). They excel at video games and actually do better at them than chimpanzees. They have their own sense of humor, as many animals also show.

For more than 20 years I have been involved with the pig rescue and education community in the United States and administer an informational group for pet pig owners on Yahoo. I don’t recommend that people choose a pig as a companion without first going to a pig sanctuary and volunteering, spending time around pigs and getting to know them and finding out if you really want to commit to a pig companion (or two or three). The commitment is for life, which can easily mean 20 years. I’ve written down some of my thoughts, but this is far from a comprehensive treatment (see link at bottom for great info site).

Pigs are considered by fence builders to be the most difficult animal to fence in— if they want to get out, they probably can; individual pigs vary as to whether they’ll respect a fence or not. I saw my older pig lift, with her snout and head, a pallet with 500 pounds of straw bales on it, in order to fetch out an apple from our tree that had rolled underneath it. As others have noted, the advertisements with little piglets in teacups is a HUGE lie. How huge? Well, my older pig weighed 120 pounds, my younger one is well over 150 pounds. A human cannot lift them by themselves, and pigs are not cooperative about being lifted in any case. If you don’t train your pig to wear a harness and leash and get in and out of cars and go in and out of vets’ offices, etc., you’ll be really struggling.

Pigs are not like dogs and cats, which are predators. Pigs are prey animals, herd animals, and training a pig is more like training a horse than a dog or cat. If you’re not experienced with companion animals, you may not do well with training. Unruly pigs, pigs that threaten their human family members, or bite people, can be dangerous. So training and proper socialization is mandatory (and dog-domination methods absolutely do not work). Because they are prey animals, their worldview is different from ours and dogs and cats. Dogs are a threat to pigs and should not be left unsupervised with pigs, even when they seem to be best friends with the pig. Such friendships happen all the time, but, if anything ever happens where the pig is frightened of something, or gets their head or tusk caught in something and starts screaming, the dog’s instinctive drives can kick in. We know of way too many situations in which a dog and a pig were best friends, even sleeping together for 10 years, then something happens, the dog goes gamey and hurts or kills the pig, and then comes out of it and doesn’t understand why his best friend is dead. Even our small dogs can worry the pigs, so they aren’t allowed around them.

Pigs are happiest in groups of their own kind and are usually better mannered when they have a group. Pigs have a complex social order that gives them a sense of belonging and from which they learn responsible behavior. Individual pig personalities vary a lot. Most pigs will enjoy human companionship and enjoy belly rubs and hanging out. Some pigs are cuddly with humans, many, probably most, are not. They like to have their own space and may resent sharing space with humans, especially when they get to be 2 years old and older. A lot depends on the individual personality and how they are trained and socialized. Piglets are an unknown quantity for personality as well as ultimate size. Getting an adult from a rescue or sanctuary, you can be certain of the personality. You can be more sure of the size if you get an adult (although pigs keep slowly growing until 4–5 years old, the main growth is up to 3 years).

Humans have a tendency to overfeed companion pigs, who then weigh too much for their relatively delicate legs and develop arthritis at young ages, or blindness from the fat that develops on their heads and forces their eyes closed. Many times people do not keep up their hoof trimming so that the pig becomes lame from their hooves getting too long and deforming. This too causes arthritis and suffering. Some people put a harness on a pig then never remove it, and as the pig grows the harness gets tighter and tighter and creates severe suffering. Some pigs will need tusk trimming. Many people get a pig on a whim and don’t remain committed, leading to abusive situations even when the person never meant to.

I do not encourage people to get pigs as pets unless they have really done a lot of research, spent time around pigs, and have the PHYSICAL and EMOTIONAL STAMINA themselves to care for a pig and do the training and socialization necessary. And also that people have outdoor space for the pig and that they won’t just put it in the backyard and forget it. That is cruel. The lies that breeders tell about pigs lead people to believe pigs are easy pets with few needs and will stay tiny and cute forever. These are lies. Pigs become mature adults who are still cute, but only if you can appreciate a full-grown pig’s mature cuteness. They do not stay small, they have strong personalities, and they need fresh air and time outdoors to be physically and emotionally healthy.

If you do decide a pig is the right companion for you, for the next 20 years, please adopt from a rescue and don’t support breeders. There are thousands of pet pigs who are abandoned and need homes, and not enough sanctuaries to house them. Please don’t add to this problem by encouraging breeders to keep breeding. Sanctuaries and rescues often have babies if you feel strongly you want a piglet and not an adult. But please, please research, go spend time with pigs first.

Here is a comprehensive information site (www.pigplacementnetwork.org) that has been around for more than 20 years. They are located in Southern California, but there are pig rescue/sanctuaries in most states. Is a Pig Right for You?

Having raised pigs I know they can make wonderful pets, many people own pot bellied pigs as pets. If you are seriously considering a pig as a pet just remember they can grow very large between 300 to 700 pounds. I wouldn't try to make a pet of a already grown pig, start with a piglet and pay alot of attention to it just as you would a new puppy or kitten. I like pigs very much but you need to be around them alot, so they know who you are, they can be dangerous if not handled and because of their sheer size. I personally never owned a mean pig but if I had for some reason it would have been gone from this farm.

My last two dogs came from the shelter. Growing up we always got pure breeds, and my sister still does. Our shelter dogs have been the smartest, loyalist and friendliest dogs. Like any pet, you really need to find one that fits with your family and your lifestyle. Some shelters are really good at helping you with this. Other shelters may offer fostering as well. We fostered one for about a month and helped him get ready for his forever home. Just remember the first few days or months or years are an adjustment to your lifestyle and to theirs. Be patient, give lots of love and a good home.

Don't get me started. I have a good friend who had a pot belly pig. He was so cute and sweet when he was little.

That didn't last long, he was a inside pet. He was trained to go outside to the bathroom.

He turned into a pot belly hog. An attack hog at that. Most animals like me, because I love them. This pig for some reason only him and God knows, would attack my ankles. Every damn time I walked in the house.

Imagine a 35 year old woman climbing up on the kitchen table trying to get away from this pig. I'm not kidding. Everybody thought it was hilarious, except me.

This pig grew up around me, I was there at least three times a week. I actually used to take him for walks around the neighborhood. His name was Wilber. They are intelligent. That's the truth.

As far as me having one for a pet, forget about it. No way! Oh yeah, did I mention I was the only one he would ankle attack.

Maybe that was how he showed affection. Who knows, if you get one try to teach it not to chase your friends. So they don't have to climb up on furniture.

Thanks for reading this. May god bless you and dare I say your love of ankle biters.