Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pigs
Just like their name suggests, Vietnamese pot bellied pigs are a species which has its origins in the Asian nation of Vietnam. Why then have these adorable animals become so popular all over the world? Just like the pink pigs you’re used to seeing on farms, pot bellied pigs are famous for their intelligence. Unlike your average pink pig, pot bellied pigs are generally not feed pigs – not used to slaughter for food. Instead, mostly these portly pigs are kept as pets! Lucky for them. These adorable piglets are cheerful and funny and grow up to be a bit smaller than your average pig. That’s good because who wants a pet that can grow to be a 1,000 pounds like a full-grown farm hog (they don’t call em hogs for nothing). These guys can still reach 250 lbs but average a much more manageable 140 lbs. That is still pretty big, these porkers eat a lot so if you want one as a pet keep in mind it is a serious task to take care of an animal like this. In some regions you may be able to adopt pigs from people who have underestimated the requirements of taking care of the animals.
The pot bellies grow a thin, course coat of thistle-like hairs which are fun to pet. Unsurprisingly, these cute baby animals and their grown up counterparts respond very well to reward-training with food, and can be trained to be quite obedient with just the shake of a can of treats. They have a lifespan somewhat similar to those of medium-sized dogs, living from 12-17 years.