This little piggy wants a home

THEY are the size of teacups when they are born and may be the latest celebrity “must have” but the woman behind introducing micro-pigs to Ireland says they are not a fad and must be cared for properly.

Victoria Beckham bought two for her husband and Charlotte Church has one, but Irish breeder Denise Woods says that if anyone buys a micro-pig off her and changes their mind, “I will take them back from them”.

Denise has been inundated with enquiries from families wanting a pet with a difference. The cute piggies are tiny when born but do grow, although they will not reach the same size as regular pigs.

“They are intelligent and are more clever than dogs, they are sociable, loving and will have just one owner. They and make great companions and can be house-trained and be taught to walk on a lead,” she explained.

Denise is an ardent lover of animals and is glad that all wannabe pig owners have to apply for a herd number from the Department of Agriculture.

An inspector from the department will also visit them before the licence is granted.

“Unlike a pup they will not chew shoes or chairs, they will potter around but not disrupt you. When you first take one home though you must lift it as much as you can. I think they will become the ‘new dog’,” she said.

The pigs cost €750 each, will grow to the size of a small Labrador and will live for between 12 and 20 years and will need to be kennelled if you are going on holidays. Denise, who is based near Dundalk, is preparing to open a “hotel for pigs” to provide that kennelling service.

She turned to breeding pigs after much research and after a successful career as a florist.

“I love this and I am interested to see how things are going in six months time and finding out just how much more intelligent they are than dogs.”

Denise has had enquiries from people wanting a companion for elderly relations as well as families looking for a pet with a difference.

She can be contacted through the website www.micropigfarm.ie