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.
Heroparkour is a great sport for problem dogs. Since a great part of problem behaviour has roots directly in timidity. Such dog is unable to handle more complex situations of ordinary life due to fear. It doesn’t believe non-standard conditions.
The use of dogs in search and rescue (the so-called SAR) is an integral part of natural disasters, mass accidents or, for example, when search for missing people. Do you know, when the first dog rescuers appeared?
Every dog has its individuality and is unique in its own way, so even the period of growing up can differ significantly in every individual. I know dog owners, who didn’t know what to do with puberty excesses of their otherwise loved four-legged...
A handy assistant not only for dog owners, who need to work on training with their dog, but also for sport cynologists who, on the other hand, are refining the discipline called the “track” with their dogs. The original purpose of the long cord with a...
One dog isn’t enough for you and you’re looking for an excuse that will help you vindicate having a whole pack at home? One option is to become a musher - a dog sled racer. For adrenaline lovers, who’d love to ride through the landscape on a sled using...
Of course there are more apps, we chose only the ones for you that intrigued us the most. Have you tried an app or have you got a favourite one that you could recommend to others?
It’s like a rollercoaster ride with outside temperatures this winter, once you’re up and then back down. All the more attention should we pay to the care for our dogs. Since it’s not only us, people, who don’t take well to the changing temperatures.
Unfortunately, in the life of dog owners, even unpleasant situations occur, which aren’t only an intervention in the life of your dog partner, but also affect your wallet. For example, if the dog gets hit by a car or it is otherwise injured and the...
With changes of the temperatures accompanying the autumn, higher demands are put on the organism and thus its immune system. That’s why it’s not unreasonable to start and boost the immunity already now. Remember, that prevention is always better and...
Before we get to winter sports that you can do with your four-legged buddies it’s good to remember the care that you shouldn’t forget about in this period.
If you’re planning to go abroad, even just for a few days, then definitely don’t forget about the animal’s passport. When you’re packing this dog passport, make sure that you check off-hand, that your four-legged friend has all its vaccinations valid....
Kittens, as well as a number of other animal offspring, are born blind. Their eyes open around the tenth day of their life and only after another week, they are fully functional. Even though the sight in a cat belongs among the best-developed senses,...
