Teacup Pigs: Britain's Swine Equivalent of Zhu Zhu Pets

The United Kingdom is hog wild over Teacup pigs, miniature piglets specially bred to reach around a foot in height. Teacup pigs are the hottest item in British households, with demand skyrocketing the price for teacup pigs to 700 pounds (that's 1,100 U.S. dollars), as reported by The Telegraph.

Dubbed "teacup" pigs for the little porkers being able to fit inside a tea cup when they are born, the demand for teacup pigs is multifold. Being miniature pigs, they are more suited for urban homes than full-sized pigs, which require outdoor areas for them to roam and waddle in mud. Teacup pigs are incredibly smart and well-mannered. Additionally, and more importantly, these teacup pigs are incredibly cute.

Little Pig Farm, one of the few micro pig breeders in Britain, classifies miniature pigs as any pig under 16 inches tall. The process of breeding these pigs into the size they are requires legacy, patience, and a hacking of genetics, just as in any niche of animal husbandry. Click here to watch a Youtube video of a little teacup pig in action.

The demand for teacup pigs should only increase as Christmas quickly approaches, and word gets out about these tiny oinkers. Demand in Britain will rival demand for gifts of Christmases past. The teacup pig will join the distinguished list of novelties like Zhu Zhu pet hamsters, Furby, Tickle Me Elmo, Beanie Babies, Nintendo Wii, Pound Puppies, and Cabbage Patch Kids.

The demand for mini pigs might just be a fad, but breeders are racing to get these teacup pigs out in time for Christmas. But these teacup pigs are different than other fads in that the novelties are alive, requiring care as a dog or cat would require. Maintenance isn't as simple as changing the battery on a Zhu Zhu pet hamster, so hopefully these teacup pigs will go to homes where they receive proper love and care.

Although the demand for teacup pigs is highest in Britain, there are some teacup pig breeders in the United States, and they are getting themselves ready for the Christmas rush. Teacup pigs have been around for years, but perhaps the notion of an adorable miniature pig is new to most people.

2009 very well be the year of the pig. You have Brits clamoring over teacup pigs, and worldwide attention on the H1N1 virus, popularly known as "swine flu." Ask Rupert Grint, Harry Potter's Ron Weasley, who acquired swine flu earlier this year. The forgiving type, Grint has a teacup pig of his own.

Sources:
The Telegraph, "Micro pigs with a hefty price tag"
Little Pig Farm website
People, "Harry Potter Star Gets the Swine Flu"