Juliana Pigs — The Complete Guide: Everything You Need to Know

One of the most common and most popular breed of pet pig is the Juliana breed.

Juliane Pigs: The Juliana pig is a “naturally” small breed and is also known as the “miniature painted pig” because of its color. It is a breed of pig that originated from Europe through selective breeding.

Juliana pigs are often praised and complimented by anyone who has an experience with them.

People who raised Juliana pigs as family pets have nothing but positive feedback for these pigs!

This makes us wonder, what exactly is the Juliana breed all about? Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about Juliana pigs.

History and Origins

It is also said to be the smallest breed of “miniature pigs”. However, there is really no such thing as a “miniature breed”. The miniature breed is not an officially considered breed as it is not a naturally formed specie.

There is also NO GUARANTEE that your miniature pig will stay as small as it is!

As of the moment, there are no specific details on the true origins of the Juliana breed. The only explanation behind the Juliana pig’s small physique is because of careful breeding with other small breeds of pigs such as the Kunekune.

Appearance and anatomy

Juliana pigs come in various colors known to pigs. They can be dual colored or multicolored which earned it the name of “Miniature Painted Pig” because of its colorful appearance.

It’s possible that the Juliana pig have multiple colors is because of selective breeding. When mixed with other breeds of different colors, the offspring will most likely inherit the same colors.

Though small, their body builds and facial structure is highly similar to that of a feral pig or a large hog. Simply put, they may look like they have the face of a matured pig in a small body.

Even though they resemble a feral, they are still often described as “cute” and “adorable” by most people that encounter a Juliana pig. This is usually because of their colorful appearance, small body and outgoing personality.

SIZE — breeders claim they will stay as small as 10 to 16 inches tall.

WEIGHT — they are said to have an average weight of 13 to 27 kilos.

But once again, there is no guarantee that they will stay small. It is highly advised to anticipate pigs to grow twice their current size or weight.

TAIL — most domesticated breeds have curly tails possibly because of crossbreeding but Juliana pigs usually have straight tails instead. The length is normally moderately long.

The purpose of a Juliana pig’s tail is to fend off parasites like flies. Currently, there are no other known purposes for a pig’s tail.

Curious about why pigs have curly tails? You can read the current existing theories about it here.

TUSKS — all pigs grow tusks including miniature pigs like Juliana pigs. Male or female, wild or domestic, there are no exceptions.

Though females usually have shorter or smaller tusks that rarely grow long or large enough to stick out of their mouths. Because of this trait, it was one of the easy ways to identify the gender of the pigs in the wild.

The tusks serve as a pig’s offensive and defensive weapon. However, domestic pigs usually have their tusks completely removed as it serves no purpose in captivity.

For those who may not be aware, the tusk is actually part of the jawbones and is considered part of the teeth. This means that if you cut off their tusks, it will not grow back.

However, trimming is a different task and is only done to care for the pig.

NAILS AND HOOVES — Juliana pigs also have hooves and “dewclaws” that may need trimming. On an average, a pig should have trimming at least once a year.

SNOUTS (THE NOSE) — Juliana pigs are similar to every other pig. They have a great sense of smell to compensate for their poor eyesight. Due to this, pigs have a snout (or a nose) that is sensitive to touch.

The snout of a Juliana pig is commonly normally formed.

TEETH — Juliana pigs will have normal and non-sharp teeth but can still bite really hard onto food. All pigs usually get their needle sharp teeth clipped moments or hours after birth.

The sharp teeth get replaced by normal teeth afterwards.

Characteristics and Personality

Like most domesticated pigs, Juliana pigs are known to be friendly, smart, energetic, social, gentle and fun to have around.

Intelligent

Did you know that pigs are so intelligent, they ranked fifth among the most intelligent animals in the world?

They are also capable of outsmarting chimpanzees, one of the top smartest animals we’ve ever known! Many people also say they can be smarter than dogs.

The intelligence of pigs such as Juliana pigs make them popular as pets. This also makes them unique from other regular pets.

Juliana pigs can also really surprise you with their great memory as well as how fast they can learn and pick up hints about certain things.

Aside from ranking fifth in the world ranking, scientific studies and research also stated that an average pig have the same intelligence level as a 2 year old human child.

They discovered that pigs can have better focus and produce a higher success rate when it comes to tests and challenges unlike dogs and chimps.

Not all dogs can learn as fast as a pig can, as some dogs are known to be stubborn or even be full of pride. Although they are usually submissive, many dogs can be stubborn when it comes to training.

Unlike pigs that seem to naturally learn without feeling forced. They tend to learn faster because of their ability to focus better. Dogs can be easily distracted because of their playful nature.

The advantage of being a prey

Another reason why pigs such as Juliana pigs have such great intelligence compared to others is because they are prey animals.

Most pets that we have kept and raised are prey animals and now we are being surprised by their capabilities.

Prey animals need to be on alert more than predators and thus, may develop a more sensitive way of living. They need to be smarter than their swift and strong predators.

Pigs possibly learned to enhance their intelligence by adapting and learning how to outsmart their predators.

Predators do not have to be on guard most of the time, they are usually comfortable anywhere and don’t struggle as hard as a prey when searching for food.

I have a personal saying regarding this aspect in life. The poor may be poor, but they can definitely be wiser than the rich.

It’s because when you are always on edge, you become desperate to cling on for survival. While those who are at the top have it easy and tend to forget the meaning of challenges.

When life is hard, it teaches you to become strong. Even if they are prey animals, if their minds are strong, their chances of survivability will definitely increase.

Juliana pigs can be trained

Many owners say they can learn even faster than dogs. Juliana pigs or just pigs in general, can be house trained. They may learn how to use the litter box, play fetch and do several other tricks.

It has proven that the “treat rewarding” method works very well with pigs when training them.

Compassionate

In relation to their intelligence, pigs like Juliana pigs are capable of being compassionate. Their smart brains allow them to feel both negative and positive emotions.

This means that they can also feel pain, become depressed, be excited and many more! Because of this, many people are convinced that the cruel treatment towards livestock pigs should come to an end.

Juliana pigs can sense grief

Pigs are capable of sensing grief from other animals, their companions or their human owners. When they do, they have a tendency to console them for comfort.

Juliana pigs are aware when a companion passes away or when they get left behind or abandoned. They can be sad, depressed and lonely to the point of crying real tears when mourning their loss or simply missing something or someone.

Juliana pigs are sensitive

Since they have almost the same mentality or intelligence level as a child, you can expect them to behave similarly to a child. Juliana pigs can grow easily bored when isolated or irritable when kept in an uncomfortable place and more.

They are capable of throwing tantrums, being stubborn, being spoiled, become manipulative or dominant. However, they are rarely violent.

When a pig is mistreated or abused, they WILL remember it. They know how to hold grudges, remember the faces of their abusers but they can also be grateful and remember those who cared for them.

This is part of the reason why they are lovely pets, because they exhibit a behavior where the owners must be emotionally prepared as Juliana pigs can be emotionally sensitive too.

Most people would think pigs are good for first time pet owners, but in reality, it is not. They are not that simple and must be handled with genuine love and care!

Breeding and Life Expectancy

Juliana pigs become sexually matured at six to seven months of age. Though they can become pregnant at around five months, they are normally bred around six months or one year of age.

Offspring

Juliana pigs are commonly expected to have 5 up to 10 piglets when giving birth.

Female pigs can rarely give birth to 25 pigs, but is possible. The average number of piglets that can be born from most breeds starts at 5 piglets up to 10 piglets.

If you’re interested in learning more about breeding, you can check our article about that here.

Life expectancy

The Juliana pig’s average life expectancy is 15 years up to 20 years.

Although the popular pet breed “mini pigs” which includes the Juliana breed are said to have shorter lifespan due to their complicated and selective breeding, many pig owners claim their pets lived up to 15 years and more.

This information brings us to the conclusion that there are times that they can live longer than their expected lifespan as long as they are healthy and loved.

Habitat and Environment

Domesticated animals such as Juliana breeds often thrive in a better condition compared to their wild or natural counterpart. Still, it’s important to know their natural habitats.

Natural habitat

A Juliana pig does not have a known wild habitat as they are a product of multiple crossbreeding.

But in general, the wild habitat for most pigs generally moist forests, swamps and woodlands, especially oak forests and regions where reeds are abundant.

Environment

All pigs especially small breeds like Juliana pigs will prefer to inhabit places with favorable climate. Although they function better under cool temperatures, they can still be sensitive to severe cold or extreme heat.

If you’re looking to keep one as a pet, you must read on to understand their preferred environment when under captivity.

Juliana pigs are prey animals and need to be kept away from possible predators. If they have a wide space to graze outside, there must be fences to keep out animals like wolves, coyotes or even regular stray dogs.

Like every other pig, Juliana pigs have a hard time cooling off because of their inability to sweat. Because of this, they should be placed in an area that can keep them cool.

Again, they are sensitive to harsh weather conditions and thus must be protected from extreme heat and severe cold. They must be shielded from rain and any kind of storms.

Space

Juliana pigs in captivity will need specific space and conditions in order to thrive properly on a daily basis. Since they are smart and can be sensitive, if they are cramped up in one place for too long, they may grow bored which may lead to destructive behavior.

If they do not have enough space or freedom to roam and explore, they may become depressed. Pigs are naturally curious animals and prefer living outdoors as much as possible.

Depending on the number of other pigs that will live with them, a Juliana pig should be able to have a pen of at least 2 meters in size.

If they are being kept as indoor pets, the best solution is to give them access to at least one or two rooms to give them comfort.

Know more about how much space most pigs need by reading our article about it here.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Every animal including humans have its own imperfections. All pets will have its own pros and cons. Juliana pigs have more pros than cons, but of course, it’s important to learn what they are to fully understand their breed.

PROS	CONS
Not a picky eater	Prone to diseases if not careful!
Good as pets	Can potentially be destructive
Social animals	Can be sensitive
Clean animals	Needs enough space

PROS

1. Not a picky eater

Pigs of any breed including Juliana have an opportunistic mentality when it comes to feeding. As long as it looks edible, they will accept and eat it.

They have what we call a “stomach of steel” which means they can eat almost anything without getting sick from it.

However, just because they can eat anything including junk, doesn’t mean we should feed them with just anything. Certain food can still be harmful to their health and will weaken their immune system.

2. Good as pets

Regardless of gender, Juliana pigs make good pets as they do not have different behaviors unlike other breeds where certain male pigs could develop territorial behavior.

Though they may not be a good pair with kids as they will try to “dominate” kids or compete with them, they will never be violent or aggressive towards other animal or people.

They are very patient and capable of being really sweet!

3. Social animals

Aside from being generally kind, Juliana pigs are also capable of getting along well with other pets like cats. They can get along with dogs too, but it’s safer to leave them with animals that are close to them in size.

Dogs may be as large as a pig, but they are clearly more powerful than pigs and can cause unwanted injuries or accidents when put together.

Even so, if you trust your dog won’t hurt your Juliana pig, then they can definitely be great friends too.

Juliana pigs are great companions or playmates for your kids and other house pets or animals too!

4. Clean animals

Unlike what we originally thought of them, Juliana pigs are clean and prefer to keep their living area clean too.

As much as possible, they will assign a corner to become their toilet area in order to avoid soiling their living space.

They will enjoy baths and prefer water more than mud. Most pigs only rolled around in mud to keep cool because it’s the only thing they can do when there is no pond of water around them.

CONS

1. Prone to diseases if not careful

The disadvantage of being a non-picky eater is the risk of eating a harmful food that can infect their systems.

Juliana pigs can eat anything including scrap food, junk, rotten food, spoiled food, decomposing food and decaying carcasses.

This is why it’s important to supervise your pig during feeding time or letting them outside in order to prevent them from eating unwanted food.

They are also strictly prohibited from eating meat (including any other meat products and food that has had contact with meat) as it is the easiest way for them to be infected by a disease that may be transmitted to humans.

See article about what to feed your pig here.

2. Can potentially be destructive

Since Juliana pigs have a wide range of emotions, they also have bad sides too. They can be stubborn and destructive as mentioned earlier.

Destructive pigs are a sign of playfulness, stress, depression or a way to establish dominance in their selected territory.

If you think your pig is behaving deeply negative, it’s important to get them checked as it could be their only way of expressing internal pain that we usually do not notice until it gets worse!

It is also a sign of mistreatment and abuse. This behavior can easily be corrected with proper training and discipline.

3. Can be sensitive

Did you know that raising your voice can also leave a bad impact on your pigs? Juliana pigs are no exception to this. For some, they might perceive it as a hostile behavior.

Little actions such as slight hitting will also be remembered by your Juliana pig. They remember a lot of things, be it good or negative.

Leaving them alone for long hours can also be unhealthy when your Juliana pig doesn’t have enough space to explore or companions to interact with.

To some, it may be similar to leaving a child alone.

This is why, people who plan to own Juliana pigs should be aware of their emotional sensitivity. Remember, your piggy friend remembers!

4. Needs enough space

This has been mentioned many times in this thread. But yes, many first time owners are not aware that pigs need space! Other animals may tolerate being kept in one spot, but not Juliana pigs.

They might try to make several escapes or even attempt to break through obstacles just to get to freedom. If they do not try to be free, they will become lonely and depressed.

This is why it’s frequently mentioned in order to remind potential owners that they need to be ready for adjusting their homes and make it “pig-proof”!

It might take some effort which is why it is considered as a disadvantage when owning Juliana pigs or any other pigs.

Proper care and needs

Juliana pigs will have a lot of needs and buying one as a pet comes with great responsibility, patience and commitment.

Aside from being mentally prepared, one must be financially prepared too when it comes to the costs and physically ready to care for them.

Caring

1. Proper Feeding

An average pig should eat at least two times a day. Pigs are not picky eaters and you can feed them almost anything!

However, pigs are strictly NOT ALLOWED TO CONSUME MEAT.

The reason behind this is to prevent pigs from getting sick. The easiest way for them to get infected with a disease is by eating meat.

This can turn into a virus that may be transmitted to humans and cause yet another outbreak.

Instead, you may feed your pig with various fruits and vegetables. Real pig pellets are the best choice for your pet pig as it provides a balanced diet for them.

Pigs can also eat grass, so if you have a yard or lawn that has grass, you may let them graze on it. They may occasionally dig the ground up to eat roots and certain insects. (Safe for them to consume)

You may learn more about what to feed your pet pig by checking one of our helpful articles about it. Read “What Do Pigs Eat”

2. How much water they need

On a daily basis, an average pig can drink 5 to 10 liters a day. A pregnant or mothering pig might need twice the regular amount in order to produce enough milk.

Pigs are unable to sweat which is why they have a hard time cooling off. Drinking lots of water will help them keep their body temperature cool.

Make sure that their water tanks or drinking bowls cannot be tipped over as they have a tendency to play with food or water. Sometimes, they can be careless or clumsy.

It’s important to ensure they always have enough water to drink as dehydration can make them sick or if it’s too hot and they can’t cool off, pigs are easily prone to heat stroke.

Know more about what pigs need by reading our article about it here.

3. Living Area

As mentioned above, your pig has a hard time cooling off due to their dysfunctional sweat glands.

Studies say that they function better under cool temperatures but harsh weather conditions could easily affect them or make them sick.

Severe cold or extreme heat could give pneumonia or heat stroke. There have been cases where pigs passed away due to extreme temperatures.

To properly care for your pig, it’s important to pay attention to the temperature. The room must be averagely cool or warm. They must also be able to remain dry and protected from parasites such as flies.

Despite being kept indoors, pigs will also need sufficient amount of sunshine. You can take them out or let them outside to bask under the sunlight in the morning.

Doing this will also be a soothing activity for your pet pig as they enjoy the outdoor life, they like the morning sun and have the opportunity to graze on grass.

If you don’t have an area where they can stay out, an optional solution is taking your pet pig out for a walk. This could also serve as an adequate exercise for your pet pig.

Most pigs will enjoy a walk in the morning as they are adventurous animals that appreciate exploring their surrounding areas.

Note: Walking your pig may require legal permissions.
Read our article about legalizing your pet and getting a pig license.
“How to get a License for your Pig“

As a pig owner, you will also need to buy a proper bed for your pet. If they are still growing, it’s safe to go for the long term product as they might grow twice their current size!

Even Juliana pigs can grow larger than expected, so to help you save, it’s advisable to anticipate growth for your pet pig. With a good bed that they can fit in, they will be comfortable to stay in your home.

4. Healthcare

Since pigs can be sensitive when it comes to health, it’s highly recommended to let your pet pig have annual medical checkups. Vaccination is necessary while spaying and neutering is also deeply encouraged.

Another reason why owning a pet pig will require frequent visits to the veterinary clinic is because you might need help with trimming. Hooves, nails and tusks trimming are important and crucial to your pig’s health.

Overgrown and unmaintained hooves, nails and tusks could cause soreness and severe pain when it starts injuring the body structure. It may also cause infection, appetite loss, locomotive issues and more.

Trimming can be a challenging task for a new owner which is why we advise to seek professional help or assistance from a veterinarian.

If you are curious on how to do the entire process of trimming and caring for their hooves, nails and tusks, you may read our article about it here.

Registration for Legal Documents

Raising pig especially sensitive ones such as Juliana pigs may be illegal or restricted depending on where you live. Laws differ on every country especially regarding animal welfare. It’s highly recommended to check with your local officers to verify first before you adopt a pig.

If it requires a license, please register your pig for its safety and yours too. It might also come with various benefits, so it’s worth the cost. This step is very important and must be done if required.