I’m fed up with talking about the weather, but I can console myself with the fact we have grabbed every opportunity so far and progress is not too bad.David Beckham joins celebrity craze for miniature pigs
DAVID Beckham has followed in the footsteps of celebrities including Paris Hilton and Charlotte Church to own the latest must-have pet – a miniature pig.
He was bought the pair of pot-bellied Gloucester Old Spot crosses – also known as micro-pigs - by his wife, Victoria who reportedly paid over $2,000 (£1,400) for them as an early Christmas present.
The miniature pigs, which when fully grown weigh only 65lb and reach a size of around 14 inches, have grown in popularity in the last 12 months with celebrities and the public.
But while miniature pigs are primarily pets, owners like the Beckhams still have to register them with Defra in case of any disease outbreaks.
The couple will also have to apply for a licence if they want to take them out for a walk.
Miniature pigs
- Micro-pigs are the product of selective breeding between Miniature Pot Bellied and Gloucester Old Spot. They are bred generation by generation, selecting the smallest of the litter each time.
- Producing miniature pigs involves inbreeding, which can cause complications with fertility as well as an increased chance of deformities.
- It is technically possible to breed miniature breeds of most farm animals, although pigs are preferred for the short gestation period and large litters which make selection easier.
- A number of recent reports have identified rogue micro-pig breeders who have sold the pets only for the new owners to get a shock when it grows into a full-size pig.
- Micro-pigs thrive in an enriched environment with toys to play with and ideally prefer to be kept with other micro-pigs rather than as a lone pet.
- Celebrity owners of miniature pigs include Paris Hilton, Harry Potter star Rupert Grint and Charlotte Church and Gavin Henson, while actor George Clooney famously owned a giant pot-bellied pig called Max.
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