10 Smallest Pig Breed In The World

Nouman Qaiser14 July 2024

0 31 7 minutes read

In the world of adorable and fascinating animals, pigs are underrated for their charm and intelligence. There also exists a group of pint-sized porkers that are so tiny they could fit in the palm of your hand. Welcome to the enchanting realm of the smallest pig breed where cuteness knows no bounds.

These diminutive darlings are sure to capture your heart and leave you swooning over their petite proportions from pocket-sized pets to miniature marvels.
Join me on a journey as we explore the captivating world of these dainty swine and uncover just what makes them so irresistibly endearing.

Table of Contents

Smallest Pig Breed

American Mini Pig
Juliana
Meishan
Kunekune
Ossabaw Island Hog
Miniature Pig
Mulefoot Pig
American Guinea Hog
Pot Bellied Pigs
Gottingen Mini Pig

American Mini Pig

American Mini Pigs, also known as teacup pigs or pocket pigs, have become popular pets due to their small size and friendly disposition. These miniature pigs are the result of careful cross-breeding of various pig breeds over the years.

They are known for their intelligence and easy trainability, making them a great choice for pig admirers looking for a companion animal. American Mini Pigs are strong and have proportionate legs, which support their compact bodies.

These pigs can live for more than 20 years with proper care and nutrition. They have specific dietary preferences such as zucchini, cucumber, carrots, pumpkin, and peppers.

Juliana

Juliana pigs are a small breed known for their distinctive spotted coat, resembling larger hogs or feral pigs in appearance. Juliana pigs come in various colours such as white, silver, rust, red, black, and cream with a compact build and small erect ears.

The spotting on their coat may become less visible as it grows longer. The weight of a Juliana pig varies based on factors like bone structure and health, weighing below 40 pounds. These pigs have a relatively long lifespan of around 18 years but require special care due to their sensitive skin.

Juliana pigs have gained popularity as pets among pig enthusiasts due to their unique appearance and manageable size. Their friendly demeanour and intelligence make them ideal companions for those willing to provide the extra care they need.

Juliana pigs can thrive in domestic settings as beloved members of the family for many years with proper attention to their sensitive skin and dietary needs.

Meishan Pig

The Meishan pig, a miniature breed originating from China, is highly sought after for its tender and flavorful red meat pork. Meishan pigs are prized for their superior lard and fat quality, as well as succulent meat, known for their distinctive wrinkled black skin and large drooping ears.

These pigs are incredibly hardy and adaptable to various environments. Meishan pigs have hyper-productivity and prolificacy. They are known to thrive on rough diets and require less maintenance compared to other pig breeds.

Meishan pigs offer a sustainable source of high-quality meat for those looking to raise them for agricultural purposes with a life expectancy of up to 15 to 20 years.

Kunekune

Kunekune pigs are the smallest miniature pig breeds, known for their charming black and white appearance. This breed has a variety of color patterns, adding to their unique and attractive features.

Kunekune pigs are recognized for their friendly and docile nature, making them popular as pets among pig enthusiasts. Kunekune pigs have gained attention for their adaptability to grazing environments like woodlands and pastures, originating in the 19th century.

Their preference for grass over food scraps highlights their natural grazing behavior. Female Kunekune pigs are known for being excellent mothers, showcasing their nurturing instincts and reproductive capabilities at a relatively young age.

Ossabaw Island Hog

The Ossabaw Island Hogs are indeed a breed that showcases the Spanish heritage with their distinctive characteristics such as heavier coats, upright ears, and long snouts. Their varied color patterns add to their visual appeal, making them a popular choice among farmers and enthusiasts.

These pigs thrive in outdoor farm environments where they can roam freely and utilise their natural instincts to find food, known for their hardiness and excellent foraging abilities. Ossabaw Island Hogs can survive on a diverse diet consisting of leeches, earthworms, fiddler crabs, insects, roots, and tubers throughout different seasons.

This adaptability and resourcefulness make them well-suited for sustainable farming practices and contribute to their overall resilience as a breed. The Ossabaw Island Hogs continue to be valued for their unique characteristics and contributions to agricultural diversity with their strong connection to the land and history.

Miniature Pig

Miniature pigs, also known as Micro Pigs or Pygmy Pigs, are popular for their small and compact bodies. They are easily recognizable with perked-back ears, pot bellies, and chubby figures.

These cute white pigs with black upper bodies are not only popular as pets but also have important roles in medical research. Miniature pigs are commonly used in various fields such as toxicology, pharmacology, pulmonology, and experimental surgery due to their suitability for xenotransplantation and orthopedic procedures.

Miniature pigs are easier to raise and care for compared to other pig breeds. Their well-rounded heads, short snouts, thick hair, short necks, tails, and legs make them distinct from other pig breeds.

Miniature pigs play a significant role in advancing medical research and have proven to be valuable assets in various scientific disciplines.

Mulefoot Pig

The Mulefoot pig breed is named after its unique characteristic of having intact uncloven hooves, setting it apart from other domestic pig breeds. Mulefoot pigs are known for their lean meat and dedicated mothering abilities, recognizable by their long snouts, erect floppy ears, and bright, expressive eyes.

These swine are cherished for their nurturing nature, with mothers caring for their young until they reach maturity. The Mulefoot hog population is currently facing a critical decline, with only around 200 annual registrations reported.

The majority of Mulefoot pigs can still be found in Missouri, where they continue to captivate pig enthusiasts with their distinct features and qualities despite this concerning trend.

Efforts to preserve and increase the population of this breed are essential to ensure its survival and continued contribution to the agricultural landscape.

American Guinea Hog

The American Guinea Hog is a versatile domestic pig breed that has been cherished for its unique characteristics and usefulness. These pigs make excellent companions or sources of meat for those looking to raise livestock with their distinctive black coats, curly tails, and upright ears.

Guinea Hogs can provide a substantial amount of pork, with one pig yielding between 60 to 80 pounds. American Guinea Hogs have a long lifespan, as they can live up to 10 to 15 years if properly cared for. This makes them a valuable investment for those seeking a long-term relationship with their animals.

Guinea Hogs are an affordable option for individuals looking to start their own small-scale pig farming operation with an average price tag of around $250.

Pot Bellied Pigs

Mini Pot-Bellied Pigs are known for their intelligence, charm, and affectionate nature. It is true that they may not be easily tamed or handled by humans. They can form strong bonds with their human companions with patience and time.

It is important to understand that Pot-Bellied Pigs have specific behaviors and preferences that differ from other domestic pigs. Their diet is diverse, ranging from food scraps to various types of animals and plants.

The gestation period for Pot-Bellied Pigs lasts around 114 days, and they typically give birth to a litter of six piglets. Mini Pot-Bellied Pigs can still make wonderful companions for those willing to put in the effort to understand and care for them properly while they may not enjoy being carried or held like some other pets.

Gottingen Mini Pig

The Gottingen Mini Pig is a popular choice for those looking for a small and adorable pet. Their compact size makes them ideal for indoor living, and their gentle temperament makes them easy to handle and care for.

These pigs are also commonly used in biomedical research due to their manageable size and well-documented health status. The Gottingen Mini Pig has gained a reputation for its small stature as the first recognized miniature pig breed in Europe, typically not exceeding 10 to 12 inches in height when fully grown.

Their docile nature and ease of handling make them a favourite among pet owners and researchers alike. The Gottingen Mini Pig combination of size, temperament, and health characteristics make it a versatile and beloved animal in various settings.

Conclusion

Smallest pig breed offers unique advantages for those looking to raise pigs in limited spaces or for hobby farming. Their compact size and docile nature make them ideal for beginners or families with children. These breeds are hardy and adaptable to various environments despite their small stature. You can enjoy all the benefits of pig ownership without the space requirements of larger breeds by choosing a small pig breed.

FAQs

What Is The Smallest Breed Of Pig?

The smallest breed of pig is the Juliana pig, also known as the Miniature Juliana or Painted Mini. These pigs typically weigh between 30 to 50 pounds and stand around 10 to 16 inches tall. They are known for their small size, friendly temperament, and colourful coat patterns.

Is the Falabella a Kind of Pig Breed?

No, the Falabella is not a kind of pig breed. The Falabella is actually a breed of miniature horse that originated in Argentina. These horses are known for their small size, typically standing at about 8 to 9 hands tall. They are often used as companion animals or for driving and showing purposes due to their gentle nature and unique appearance.

How Many Months Can Pig Breed?

Pigs can breed at any time of the year, as they do not have a specific breeding season. Female pigs, also known as sows, typically reach sexual maturity around 6-8 months of age. Sows can come into heat every 3 weeks, with each heat cycle lasting about 2-3 days.

How Many Months Is A Grower Pig?

A grower pig reaches market weight between 5 to 6 months of age. The pig goes through various growth stages, during this time, from being weaned at around 8 weeks old to reaching a weight of around 250-300 pounds.