Many of us are under the influence of the need to fulfill a dream of getting an unconventional pet, which the minipig certainly is. This trend has been present in the Czech Republic for about ten years. But don’t be fooled by those cute snouts, taking care of the minipig is hard and has to be thought through.
What breeds of minipigs there are? Gottingen, Royal Dandies, Extreme Dandies, Vietnamese, Kunekune, Choctaw. These are the most popular. You can find a lot about these breeds on the internet, so we won’t list everything here. Let’s get straight to the important questions.
Will the minipig stay small?
Believe it or not, but it won’t stay small. Of all the pigs bred to dwarf form, only the Extreme Dandies, originally from the US, grow to a weight of 4–8 kg. Royal Dandies usually weigh 15 to 20 kg, and other minipigs weigh around 35 kg in adulthood. The Vietnamese minipig may have up to 150 kg, since its genetic dispositions are very diverse. Don’t be fooled by the ‘mini’ prefix in this pet.
Does a pig eat like a pig?
Even though pigs are omnivores, the special breeds should be strictly fed with vegetables, fruits, granulated mixtures, pasta and rice. And while we might treat a kitten with a little bit of cheese or other goodies, the minipig has to strictly follow the selected diet. And that is not only for the well-being of the pet but also for maintaining the right weight. When it comes to ‘dining’, be prepared that feed will be everywhere – from the bowl in the kitchen to carpets next to the TV.
Is the minipig suitable for an apartment?
Although it breaks my heart (it used to be a dream of mine to get a minipig myself), I have to say that it is not. Dogs bark and howl, cats meow, and the pig grunts, squeals and sometimes even screams. The neighbours won’t like you. Aside from the pig making unbearable noises, it is also a bit of a ‘demolition man’. It makes a mess and bites everything that it comes into contact with. And it can’t climb stairs. It is ideal for families with a house and a garden.
What does a dwarf pig need?
Even a minipig needs to dig its nose in the dirt, it’s in its nature. It makes it happy and it needs it for immunity development. Don’t worry, pigs are very docile and will understand where to dig and where not to dig. Set aside a special patch for it where it will be free to indulge its instinct. Pigs also like grazing. Give it the opportunity. But beware, it likes to overeat. So watch how much it grazes.
Is the minipig playful?
Minipigs like to play. Thank god, that’s why we want them. Not just because they’re so cute. You should play with your minipig every day and train it while at it (maybe next time on that). Watch for stubbornness, they’re very clever. And once you make them angry, they will start making your life a pain, and it’s difficult to break any bad habits they may develop. Also, pay attention to the choice of suitable motivational rewards, as minipigs tend to gain weight quickly.
Last but not least, some good news – minipigs are suitable pets for allergy sufferers. And minipig owners claim that minipigs are cleaner than dogs. They can learn easily where to go to the ‘toilet’. Owners say you can even teach them to use litter like cats.
According to some estimates, around 5-10 percent of all dogs can be partially or completely deaf. Apparently, dogs with white coats are more prone to deafness. Even though it does not affect only older dogs, it is not a topic that is often discussed....
Nowadays, it is common for town cats as well as village cats to be castrated. The reasons are understandable and people have fortunately moved away from the old-fashioned tradition of drowning kittens. But what to expect from castration, especially in...
It is said that a dog is a man's best friend Recent research therefore tends to focus on how dogs think and what they perceive during specific moments. The diversity of their thinking is based on the fact that dogs have gradually become involved in...
Fetching is a favourite activity for many dogs. Some dogs have it in their genes. Others must be shown how it is done before they start enjoying it. As with all other commands, positive motivation and rewarding are important. How to go about it?
The Czech Republic had the honour of taking on the host role and providing a venue for the World Dog Show organised for exhibitors, breeders and dog breed enthusiasts. It was agreed among the visitors that the event was successful. As a venue for the...
Do you find it hard to decide when there's so much to choose from? If you're like me, it's best to try out the harness first before you buy it for your four-legged friend. Today, the selection of dog harnesses is truly varied. There are harnesses for...
Autumn is here. And with it comes the flu season. Colds and other ailments associated with this time of the year do not only affect people, but also their four-legged friends. Especially widespread and highly dangerous in case of non-treatment is the...
Breed registry, pedigree, bonitation, bonitation card or bonitation commission, exterior, breeding certification - these are all terms that you will inevitably encounter if you want to have a 'certified' dog, namely a dog with a pedigree. What...
These little creatures, which we have adopted as full-fledged pets, the same as cats and dogs, are much more interesting than seems at first glance. What are the five peculiarities associated with the most numerous order of mammals, which every...
Gastric torsion is the nightmare of all dog owners. According to statistics, in three out of five cases gastric torsion happens at night. This is a very serious illness with a mortality rate of 30-40 percent. In order to prevent gastric torsion, it's...
The events of recent weeks have reaffirmed the importance of cynologists in rescue teams. The rescuers' four-legged partners help search not only in rubble after natural disasters but also track missing or injured persons in inaccessible terrain. Now...
How to give first aid to your pet? We often don't find out until something happens. Fortunately, there are more and more courses for complete laypersons. During these specialized seminars or webinars, owners of four-legged friends can find out the...
