The Vietnamese pot-bellied pig is one of the naturally small breeds of pigs and the most commonly used small breed in crossbreeding to produce an even smaller breed.
If not used for crossbreeding, these pigs are also often adopted as pets because of their natural small size and docile temperament.
In case you plan to get your hands on one of these adorable miniature pigs, it is important to learn about and understand their breed first.
Is the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig your next pet best friend? Find out if you are compatible with this animal by learning everything you need to know about Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs.
History and Origins
The Vietnamese pot-bellied pig is currently declared as a threatened / endangered breed of pig. These pigs are now a rare sight to us but many conservation centers are doing what they can to save the breed.
These pigs have short legs and a low-hanging belly where they got the name “Potbelly” from but the traditional name for the Vietnamese Potbelly pigs is “Lon I” or “I” pig (which is basically just the Vietnamese words for “Potbelly Pig”)
Giving further background to the Vietnamese culture, the “I” or Vietnamese Potbelly pigs were used to symbolize happiness, safety and wealth in the traditional Dong Ho paintings of Bac Ninh province.
This is surprisingly the opposite of what most of Western culture represent pigs as. Pigs are often used to represent a symbol of wealth in most Asian cultures.
The Vietnamese potbellied pigs are believed to have originated from Red River Delta region in Vietnam. The breed was said to be one of the biggest population of pigs in Vietnam in the past.
Potbellied pigs population almost reached a million with an estimated count of 675,000 Vietnamese Potbelly pigs during year 1991. But today, the once abundant breed is now facing endangerment and possible extinction.
A few numbers of Vietnamese potbellied pigs were transported to countries such as Canada and Sweden to be kept in zoos or used for medical research while the breed was not yet endangered.
Through Canada, the potbellied pigs somehow made their way to the United States and became one of the most wanted breed of pet pigs.
Anatomy and Physical Appearance
COLORS — Vietnamese Pot-bellied pigs are usually plain black in color but if crossbred, may also come in different colors like white, spotted or have asymmetrical patterns.
HEAD — The Vietnamese Pot-bellied pigs commonly have small heads and has a slightly wrinkled face. Pigs also have poor eyesight and the Vietnamese potbelly pig is not exempted from that trait. They may also appear to have large jowls.
EARS — The ears are also small and usually pricked upwards. Despite the size, they still have great sense of hearing just like other pigs.
SNOUT (THE NOSE) — Their small faces make their snout appear bigger than it is but their snouts is also small compared to other breeds of pigs. The snout is sensitive to touch due to their powerful sense of smell.
WEIGHT — The average weight for a matured male Vietnamese potbelly pig is about 50 kg (110 pounds) while females are about 48 kg (106 pounds)
HEIGHT — An average male Vietnamese potbelly pig can grow up to 14 inches (36 cm) and a female can grow around 13 inches (35 cm).
Friendly reminder: The Vietnamese potbellied pig are often used in crossbreeding and if you happen to a crossbred potbelly, there is no guarantee that your potbelly pig will stay as small as it is.
These pigs are genetically diverse and can exhibit features that may even come from their old ancestors!
TEETH — The Vietnamese potbelly 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 will be replaced by normal teeth afterwards.
TUSKS — all pigs grow tusks including domestic breeds like the Vietnamese potbelly pigs. Male or female, wild or domestic, there are no exceptions.
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 — Vietnamese potbelly pigs also have hooves and “dewclaws” that may need trimming. On an average, a pig should have trimming at least once a year.
Indoor pigs will require more trimming while outdoor pigs that have a stable, solid footing may only require lesser trimming sessions.
TAIL — Vietnamese potbelly pigs often has medium to long, straight tails. They are capable of curling them. There is no actual explanation why pigs curl their tails but there are a lot of theories as to why they do.
The only known purpose of a pig’s tail is to drive away insects like flies. It is to reach the areas their legs and mouth cannot reach.
Curious why pigs have curly tails? We have an article about that for you here.
Characteristics and Personality
Most pigs are actually easily prone to diseases but the Vietnamese potbelly pigs are studied to have great resistance to disease and even parasites.
This makes them a strong breed despite their small bodies. They are also known to be efficient foragers and well adapted to muddy terrains and has plantigrade feet that allows them to walk well on difficult areas.
As pets, most owners have nothing but compliments for the Vietnamese potbellied pigs. The only negative feedback for this breed is usually about their unexpected sizes or growth.
Once again, despite having a distinct size for a specific breed, they can still grow beyond that. A pig’s growth can be unpredictable especially if the breed has been crossbred with multiple other breeds in the past.
Going back to the topic of being pets, the Vietnamese potbellied pigs are wonderful pets if not for the disappointed people who were tricked into believing that pigs will stay small forever.
They are naturally docile creatures that enjoy socializing. These pigs are also herd animals which means they would do well when put together with another pig or even other pets like cats.
Domestic pigs are rarely violent or aggressive. They are peaceful animals and can be trusted as long as they don’t feel cornered or threatened.
If they feel threatened, they would rather run away to flee instead of engaging a fight. These animals avoid conflict as much as possible which is why more people are starting to appreciate them not just as animals but as friends too.
Intelligent creatures
Did you know that pigs are so intelligent, they ranked fifth among the most intelligent animals in the world? Even the small Vietnamese potbellied pigs are proven to be as smart as their large counterparts.
It is also said that the Vietnamese potbelly pig are among the smartest of the miniature breeds!
Pigs are also capable of outsmarting chimpanzees, one of the top smartest animals we’ve ever known! Not many people know how smart pigs can be but those who do also say that pigs can be smarter than dogs.
The intelligence of pigs such as the Vietnamese potbellied pig makes them popular as pets. This also makes them unique from other regular pets.
The Vietnamese potbellied pig 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, 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 and they have a natural obedient personality which makes the entire learning process easier.
The advantage of being a prey
Another reason why pigs like the Vietnamese potbellied pig have such great intelligence compared to others is because they are prey animals.
Although the said breed has never known the wild because they were domesticated from the moment they were born, they still retain their wild and natural traits.
Most pets that we have kept and raised are predator animals like cats and dogs so now we are being surprised by a prey like pigs and 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.
Pigs can be house trained
Many owners say they can learn even faster than dogs. The Vietnamese potbellied 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 been proven that the “treat rewarding” method works very well with pigs when training them.
Compassionate
In relation to their intelligence, the Vietnamese potbellied 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.
They can sense grief
Vietnamese potbellied 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.
They 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.
They can be sensitive
Since they have almost the same mentality or intelligence level as a child, you can expect them to behave similarly to a child. The Vietnamese potbellied pig can grow easily bored when isolated or irritable when kept in an uncomfortable place and more.
They are capable of being stubborn, being spoiled, become manipulative or dominant. However, they are never violent. Most pigs will never attack you unless they are deeply provoked or threatened in a corner.
A pig the size of a Vietnamese potbellied pig may not pose a threat to you and can probably not harm you even if they tried. Still, it is best to not put them in a situation where they can be traumatized.
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 animals, because they exhibit a behavior where the owners must be emotionally prepared as the Vietnamese potbellied pigs can be emotionally sensitive too.
Pigs must be handled with genuine love and care!
Breeding and Life Expectancy
The Vietnamese potbelly pigs can become sexually matured at six to seven months of age like most pigs. They are normally bred around six months or one year of age.
Offspring
The Vietnamese potbelly pigs are commonly expected to have 5 up to 10 piglets when giving birth.
Fully grown pigs can rarely give birth to 20 to 25 pigs, but it 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 Vietnamese potbelly pig’s average life expectancy is 15 years up to 20 years.
Although the popular pet breed “mini pigs” which includes the Vietnamese potbelly pig breed are said to have shorter lifespan which is 12 years to 15 years 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
The Vietnamese potbelly pigs are compatible with a wide variety of environments because of their flexibility when it comes to adapting and their plantigrade feet.
However, just like most pigs they would prefer areas with rich pastures, sufficient food sources, fresh and clean water to drink and access to ponds or a muddy area to keep cool.
They should also have access to shelter that can shield them from severe weather conditions like strong winds, storms or extreme heat.
The Vietnamese potbelly pigs should also have enough room to walk in in order to get some exercise and remain fit.
Natural habitat
The Vietnamese potbelly pigs inhabited the province of Nam Dinh in the Northern side of Vietnam and are typically found near swamps, damp places close to rice fields or dry lands where they can be seen digging for roots and other food underground.
Environment
All pigs especially small breeds like the Vietnamese potbelly pig 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.
They 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, the Vietnamese potbellied 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
Pigs are also curious and outgoing creatures and would prefer living outdoors rather than staying cooped up. If kept as indoor pets, it is best to provide them enough space.
If they do not have enough space or freedom to roam and explore, they may become depressed.
Depending on the number of other pigs that will live with them, a pig the size of the Vietnamese potbellied 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 man has their own imperfections. All pets will have their own pros and cons. The Vietnamese potbellied pigs have more pros than cons, but of course, it’s important to learn what they are to fully understand their breed.
These pros and cons are applicable to many other breeds of pigs as they all exhibit similar traits and behavior. If you have read most of our articles, you may find these details similar with each other.
The explanation behind it is because all pigs have a similar nature which makes them little to no different with each other.
| PROS | CONS |
| Not a picky eater | Prone to diseases if not careful! |
| Good as pets | Can be spoiled and stubborn |
| Social animals | Can be sensitive |
| Clean animals | Needs enough space |
PROS
1. Not a picky eater
Pigs of any breed including Vietnamese potbelly pigs 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.
Read “What can I feed my Pig” if you’re curious to know about what pigs can eat and should not eat.
2. Good as pets
Regardless of gender, potbelly pigs make good pets because of their fondness towards human contact, interacting with new things and being peacefully active unlike other breeds where certain male pigs could develop territorial behavior.
If you’re looking for the next perfect family pet or piggy friend, Vietnamese potbelly pigs are one of the top choices.
3. Social animals
Aside from being generally kind, the Vietnamese potbellied 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 large breed of pigs, but they are clearly more powerful than pigs and can cause unwanted injuries or accidents when put together.
As long as you are comfortable that your dogs won’t hurt your potbelly pig, they can definitely be great friends too.
The Vietnamese potbelly pigs can be great companions or playmates for your kids and other house pets which is why they deserve to be treated with love.
4. Clean animals
Unlike what we originally thought of them, potbelly 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.
Vietnamese potbellied 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 and secure their feeding area and always keep it clean.
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.
You can read our article entitled “Can Pigs eat Meat?” if you would like to have more information about this topic.
2. Can be spoiled and stubborn
Since potbelly pigs have a wide range of emotions, they also have bad sides too. They can be stubborn if you spoil them too bad and become destructive as mentioned earlier.
Destructive behavior in adult potbelly pigs can be a sign of stress, depression or a way to express their playfulness if they are still young.
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!
Negative behavior is also a sign of mistreatment and abuse. This behavior can easily be corrected with proper training and discipline. An abused pig needs love and patience in order for them to heal and recover.
3. Can be sensitive
Did you know that raising your voice can also leave a bad impact on your pigs? Vietnamese potbelly 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 potbelly pig. They remember a lot of things, be it good or negative.
Leaving them alone for long hours can also be unhealthy when your potbelly 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 potbelly 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 Vietnamese potbelly 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 a potbelly pig or any other pigs.
Read about a similar topic in order to get an idea how to pig proof your home. Read: “Keeping a Pig Indoors”
RELATED QUESTIONS
- How much is a Vietnamese potbelly pig?
The minimum amount starts at $300 up to $600 depending on the age and gender and sometimes, on your location or your breeders too.
Currently, the Vietnamese potbelly pig is treated as a rare breed and extremely threatened animal which is why getting your hands on one may be expensive or difficult.
A friendly reminder: Always seek a reputable breeder for a safe and secured transaction.
- Why do pigs like to roll in mud?
Pigs, in general, like to roll around in mud because of their inability to sweat. The mud is an option for them to cool off. However, if there is water, a pig would prefer bathing in water rather than mud.
The truth is, pigs are very clean animals and are only often found covered in mud because it is their only option when they are in captivity.
Not all farms or owners bathe their pigs regularly or provide them with enough water to cool off and that is why pigs would resort to rolling around in mud.
Since then, pigs developed a natural tolerance and liking towards mud and may still occasionally want to play in it because it is part of their normal activities.