Mini pigs
A perfect present?
What would you like for Christmas? A computer game? A watch? A bike? Would you like a ‘mini pig’?
These pigs are now very popular in the UK – but they are expensive. They cost €500.
Mini pigs are small. They grow to only 35cm tall – the same size as a small dog. Jane Croft sells mini pigs. She says, “They are fantastic pets. They’re very clean and friendly.”
David Beckham is getting two mini pigs as a Christmas present and Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in Harry Potter, has got one too.
But it’s not easy to have a pig. Sally has got two mini pigs. She says, “…these are farm animals. They are not always happy in a house.”
Download an audio version of this article
What would you like for Christmas?
Would you like a mini pig?
Is it a good idea to give animals as Christmas presents?
(Richard Austin / Rex Features)
Read this article at a different level
18 December 2009 at 16:05
I like christmas presents, and it doesn't matter what it is. I like all the presents. I like mini pigs. When I was a baby, I had one, because he had got a lot of place to run and "play". I don't think that animals are good Christmas presents!!!
18 December 2009 at 16:09
There are two reasons because I think that they are not good Christmas presents: If you want a pet you have to choose one that you like in a pet shop because if not, they can give you an animal that you don't like. The second reason is that if you buy a pet before Christmas, where do you have to put it??? A pet has to be in a big place. It's a big responsability and if you want to buy a pet for a person, you first have to ask for permission of this person. If not, you can't give him a pet as Christmas present. Bye bye!!! Gina
18 December 2009 at 16:35
I want to get for Christmas cat, the sims 3 and clothes for my dog. Mini pig is a very funny and good idea. I want to get mini pig for Christmas but knowing my mom did not agree.
18 December 2009 at 17:10
they are very expensive and beautiful but they are tidy or dirty I don t now.
18 December 2009 at 17:21
How great are the mini pigs. They look like little dogs with their noses to 'upwards. Are tender and crisp. Once poor boys were slaughtered. then if you keep them at home you can make friends. Long live the mini pigs!
18 December 2009 at 18:19
i'd like a lots of books!! i love reading and i wuold to ahve some of Fantasy Sage. i'd llike e computer game, too. but i i don't like pig, so i nevere want to have a pig!!! Animals are good idea for present, but i things who you ask e hamester, dog, but not a pig!!! bye!!
18 December 2009 at 20:23
There are good!
18 December 2009 at 20:25
I like MINI PIGS THERE ARE VERY small but their price is very expensive!!!
19 December 2009 at 09:05
I would like for Christmas a phone and a camera. I love mini pig , they are very sweet :) It is a very good idea to give animals as Christmas present :)
19 December 2009 at 10:00
I like pigs!!! They are so lovely but a little bit ugly.
19 December 2009 at 11:06
For Christmas I would a tv game(Wii).I don't like a mini pig because the mini pig want care and I don't have free time to care my mini pig. I don't think it's a good idea because a mini pig want lot of money.
19 December 2009 at 11:59
I love mini pigs.
19 December 2009 at 12:33
I make a list of wishes for Grandpa Cold.I don't think the mini pig is good present for Christmas. Maybe you don't have place,or you have some other pet.But there are cute. Nice article.
19 December 2009 at 12:40
How cute pigs! But I don't think that's good present.You have to be whit pig every time,you have to clean it.....Like a dog. You've got a new family part.But there are cute. Btw,nice article
19 December 2009 at 13:47
Puzzleball,twister and monopoly.Nothing.I think don't.
19 December 2009 at 16:05
Hi, we do not have pig at home, or any other livestock. For Christmas I want a parrot, but we have a turtle and three dogs, and that's enough:). Little Piggy, I would like to have as cute ..!!! The decision is a good idea to pet a Christmas present:))
19 December 2009 at 18:03
This is a sweet small pig. i would like this animal. She is very interesting. But this pig is very expensive. it is a good idea to give someone a pig on Christmas.
19 December 2009 at 18:29
I love these pigs , they are beautiful!!!! In Italy pigs are famous to look for truffles!! but they eat the truffles!! Truffles are VERY VERY EXPENSIVE!!!! Pigs and dogs are very good to find the truffles!! But dogs are more expensive, maybe more than 2.500 € each !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
19 December 2009 at 18:38
What these monkeys are pigs! I think it depends on the animal and who gave it. I want one! Jeje
19 December 2009 at 19:58
This pigs are very pretty.
19 December 2009 at 20:25
it's a very very nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
19 December 2009 at 21:28
I don't like this present for Christmas Day.
19 December 2009 at 22:42
It a good idea give animals as christmas presents.I like mini pigs.They are very pretty qiunte and intelligente.
19 December 2009 at 22:48
Ping are very candy but very expensive.
20 December 2009 at 07:26
To buy a mini pig for another person, you have to be shur that he/she wants one. If you are not shure that they want it, you have to ask it to this person. A pig is a big responsability and you have to take care for him like a kid. Your garden has to be very big and space for this animal. The pig wants to be with more animals of the same species and if you want that it can be possible, the garden has to be even bigger for that your "pets" can do all what they want, like in the farm. if you haven't got this condicions, it's beter to buy another animal, like a dog, a rabbit... All the animals have to be in their natural habitat and if it's not possible you have to imitate it so it can be happy doing what all the animals of his specie do.
20 December 2009 at 08:58
1.Many thinks! 2.Yes! 3.That is so COOL present for chrismas!
20 December 2009 at 08:58
ahah they're beautiful.
20 December 2009 at 19:42
they're so lovely,but they are also to much expansive!!!! =(
21 December 2009 at 12:42
I want a new phone for Christmas. what about you? the mini-pig ... haha very good I would have also had my. why not also in Slovenia
21 December 2009 at 12:50
However, pigs are expensive. € 500 this is a fortune. would you buy for € 500 mini pig? However, even in the house do not want to be. when we don 't have it outside the house because we are close to the road and could show where
21 December 2009 at 13:37
I like animals so I want to get animal on Christmas Day. I got dog on Christmas and now I want to get cat or mouse. I ant to get clothes for my pets, too. Pigs are cute and I want to get pig but I think this pig is much expensive :(
21 December 2009 at 15:04
I like animals!
21 December 2009 at 16:32
A mini pig at christmas is perfect.
21 December 2009 at 16:37
A LIKe pig. No roast.
21 December 2009 at 16:43
I want to get a pig! Pig's are sweet!
21 December 2009 at 17:50
jaja mini pigs is a very nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 XD
21 December 2009 at 19:34
I like mini pigs they are FUN!
22 December 2009 at 13:29
yes!its a perfecy present!!
22 December 2009 at 13:37
They're beutifull, but I think it's not a good Christmas present. Well, if you put it on your presents list it's OK, but if not, it's better don't give it as a present. It's a very big responsability!!!
22 December 2009 at 15:34
I love christmas...i love winter...i like mini pigs....he is simpatic and small ......a very merry christmas our world...bye
22 December 2009 at 16:38
Theese pigs are cute! I want to get this pig!
22 December 2009 at 16:39
And who think theese pigs AREN'T cute and who don't want to get pig?
22 December 2009 at 17:40
I want to get 'mini pig' but pgs are more expensive.
22 December 2009 at 18:43
The mini pigs is a perfect present. I did not think you did something like that. I love the little piglets because they are tender and affectionate.
22 December 2009 at 19:27
A BEAUTIFUL PIGS
23 December 2009 at 09:03
mini pigs- perfect present !
23 December 2009 at 10:06
I think it's no good Christmas present, because you can't cure it! it's difficult to lots reason!! where do you put it? in the garden? for Normal Person it is impossible presente, although they are pretty! And do you know how cure it? they're very beutiful, but our houses aren't them habitat! how about you? ( i'd like ome skiing accessories XDXD!!)
23 December 2009 at 12:15
For christmas I would like to have a bracelet with three pendantes.I don't want to have a mini pig,because the noises of a pig are awful.Some animals are good presents,but not all animals are good present for example a cow,it can't live in the house, because it's too tall and too big.
23 December 2009 at 14:38
I like mini pigs and i like Christmas presents.
23 December 2009 at 17:19
My sister has got a present and it's a hamster, but my mum don't like hamsters a lot. They have to ask it before give a pet.
23 December 2009 at 19:26
THE COST IS EXAGGERATE BUT IS A FUNNY CHRISTMAS PRESENT ...I LOVE ANIMLS AND IS A GOOD IDEA: I LOVE IT BY ASCHLY OR VIRGI
23 December 2009 at 21:01
i dont like pigs but football yeS!!!!!!!!!
23 December 2009 at 21:19
IT'S A FANTASTIC IDEA I LOVE IT ....IN MY TOWN A PIG ISN'T VERY "FAMOUSE" BUT THE PRESENT MUST TO BE FUNNY AND NICE......... P.S.: I LOVE ANIMALS AND PRESENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
24 December 2009 at 08:59
Christmast mini pigs is like
24 December 2009 at 12:09
I LOVE THIS PRESENT TO DAY I'M HAPPY AND I'M OPEN A PRESENT AT 12:00 WOW...........HAPPY HOLLYDAY EVERYBODY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
24 December 2009 at 15:49
i like mini-pigs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!but i don' t want one in my home... my mother will not happy. i 'm worry too have at home a "eatable pet"
24 December 2009 at 18:04
There cute,bt yo have somch pay for it....and its diffrent like dogs or cats.They're ...... pigs.So,you have to feed it clean for it and you need a lot of place.No.Sorry but no.
25 December 2009 at 13:29
In a country where I live, so Slovenia has a few vation in the capital of Slovenia-Ljubljana immigrated there a film director (his name I do not know). And you say, what is interesting in this ... Oh yeah, it is! This came with a small pig named Suzy. Alone I have ever seen kakomse walk in Ljubljana. So strange is the lot of people when the cat or dog you see ... A man who walks PIGS !!!!! A pleasant surprise =) Otherwise, this pig is shooting a film, it is trained. Merry Christmas and Happy 2010!
25 December 2009 at 14:02
MY dad will like to have it.But you need a huge place and food and ......responsebility
25 December 2009 at 14:11
I love christmas but I don't lie pigs! do you know? pig flu is common in our world!!!
25 December 2009 at 15:34
I THINK THAT ISN´T A GOOD PRESENT BECAUSE MINI PIGS ARE FARM ANIMALS AND THEY AREN`T HAPPY IN A HOUSE OR IN A GARDEN
25 December 2009 at 16:37
i like animals
25 December 2009 at 17:13
I would like a cat. I like mini pigs, I like all animals. I thing that animal is a good Christmas present.
25 December 2009 at 17:39
I´d like to meet Robert Pattinson as a Christmas present but actualy it´s unreall for me.I ´d like a mini pig they are really nice and lovely.I think animal is a very good Christmas present when you are responsible and can take care of your animal.
25 December 2009 at 17:47
I don't like pigs becouse they aren't dirty but this pigs very expensive
25 December 2009 at 19:58
i dont like pigs.....
26 December 2009 at 10:21
I would like to have these mini pigs. They are so wonderful! But I cannot have one of these pigs, cause I have a cat that hate pigs and mini pigs. My friend have 2 mini pigs, a dog and a pretty bunny, but he had a very big house with a garden...When I was very very young my parents and I had a big house with a garden. Now I have only a small garden and my house isn't big like my old house. I'd like these mini pigs and thank you for this article. It's very good, like every article made by englishfriends and by englishcoach!! CHIARO!
26 December 2009 at 11:59
That pretty are these piglets it me does not uncarry to have one
26 December 2009 at 15:46
i´m like mini pigs
26 December 2009 at 16:48
it's fantastic idea...
26 December 2009 at 17:02
I don't buy this pigs becouse they are very cotsly but I want buy this pigs.İn Turkey, people don't like pigs becouse Turkish people theory is ''İn old times Turkish people are eating pigs but most people are dieing'' and this year Turkish people don't eat pigs and they hate these animals.
26 December 2009 at 17:59
ıt's very good but it's very expensive
26 December 2009 at 18:33
yes.....it's a perfect present,but my parents don't like thise!!!!!! I like animals and a present!! hahahaha by pinkstars or virgi/franci
26 December 2009 at 19:45
they are nice :) : ) :) i would want a plays station for me because my little sister broke my old play station :)) : )) and now i have youpiiii!!! write by lumiere see you soon everybody!!! : )
26 December 2009 at 20:03
I love the pigs, but the price is too exaggerated ....... willingly ask a pig would not know what to do, however, for Christmas I got a nice jacket ...... in my town you choose a day to kill the pig ..... but my family does not kill .... . on Christmas Eve to eat the whole fish and at Christmas we eat at will ..... I love Christmas and I know that a celebration not only for gifts but also to celebrate the birth of Jesus ..... The world has many different traditions in the day but I know that war does not know ..... I love you all a kiss and good new year
26 December 2009 at 21:45
I like chirstmas present
27 December 2009 at 06:31
I love christmas but I don't like pigs!Do you know?The pig flu is common in our world!BE CAREFUL!!!!!
27 December 2009 at 06:33
For christmas I'd like all people are healty and I want a new mobile-phone!I haven't got mobile-phone but I love and I want it!
28 December 2009 at 18:18
I like mini pigs !!!There are bautifull !!!
28 December 2009 at 19:48
Mini pigs animals and my animal favourite is dog.
28 December 2009 at 20:01
if you had those pigs…
28 December 2009 at 21:06
I don't like pigs.But I like dogs and I like too have one for christmas.Pet for present isn't good idea,because someone maybe don't like pets.
29 December 2009 at 08:18
WELL i DON'T LIKE MINI PIGS. i PREFERE ANOTHER ANIMAL LIKE DOG,RABBIT...
29 December 2009 at 10:29
I like mini pigs. There are sweet.
29 December 2009 at 12:41
I LIKE MINI PIGS... THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL AND COOL.... THEY ARE FANTASTIC....
29 December 2009 at 12:45
I like Christmas presents and my favourite animals is dogs.
29 December 2009 at 14:18
Every animals are cute that's why I like animals. These pigs are cute, too. My favourite animals are lions, jackals and leopards. I live in small village but here there isn't any farm animals.
29 December 2009 at 17:48
I love mini pigs!!!!!:-))
30 December 2009 at 10:37
oh the mini-pig are very nice!!i like pig !!are the perfect present..for me!!!!
30 December 2009 at 11:44
yes, it's a good idea to give animals as Christmas present, but it is very important that they love it.
30 December 2009 at 14:34
oh i like mini-pig..they are the perfect present..for me!!!they're very brave and good so my seconds animals favourites!!i love pigs!!:) =P
30 December 2009 at 16:01
I think that the mini-pigs are the perfect gifts because they are sweet and cute kids love cute animals (well, at least I love :-)). I think that if I had to buy a gift I buy pig , instead a game (of course I buy if I had a lot of money :-()
30 December 2009 at 17:45
Wow! It's look cute! This is little pig, but I love it too. I think the man who get this is very happines and I want have pig. Animals like people, but very not like when person have pistol and he is hungry. It's scary, but many people like meat. Meat is needed for health. In the world are vegetarians too. And they don't eat meat they eat only vegetables and fruits. I'm don't vegetarian, but this does not mean it when I see animals that once I see them as just food. I very like animals.
30 December 2009 at 17:54
they are very very very very cool and very very very nice.The mini-pigs are good present for my brother..;);)| i love pigs, yes, they are dirty, but very beautiful!!!
30 December 2009 at 17:59
I have been taking a 3 new computer games for PL2,All of us will want a mini pig but is to expensive!I think that the pigs-is or isnt mini,like pets-so they must live on a farm or in a big garden!
30 December 2009 at 18:01
I like mini-pigs
30 December 2009 at 18:27
...i like mini pigs they are nice and happy ..are brave and good..are the excellent present for Christmas i haven't got mini pigs so my wish is to have the mini-pig . They are very beautiful and to keeo sb company!!!;)
30 December 2009 at 18:47
It is very sweet
31 December 2009 at 11:45
The mini pigs is a perfect presents for Christmas.They're very sweet, friendly and WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!It's a fantastic idea!They're small... they're perfect!I think that very funny!!!!!!!!!! I love mini pigs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
31 December 2009 at 12:11
i like mini-pigs they're nice.Are exellent present ..good idea..i speak at my mother..is a present for Christmas..but Christmas..2010!!!the mini-pigs are very cool and very happy!!By Gre98 T.B. =P =P
31 December 2009 at 12:11
Theese pigs are very cute so I think children like cute animals what's that it's good idea!
31 December 2009 at 13:00
How cute they are!!! Just like little dogs or cats! I have a cat at home.But pig:NO!!!! When they're too old or too fat (sorry about phrase) you have to kill them.That's sad and it isn't fer for them.
31 December 2009 at 13:37
i like animals, but pigs????I don't like pigs and i think it's not a good idea...
31 December 2009 at 13:39
I would like to get mini pig for Christmas. Last Christmas I got a dog. Now I would like get a mouse or a cat (and mini pig if theese aren't too expensive)
31 December 2009 at 13:58
For Christmas I would like the phone. Mini pig, I would not want to, because they are distasteful and not very good gift for children. Animals for Christmas, I would approve, but as a gift would be more for teenagers because of their better care.
31 December 2009 at 14:56
I think they are so cute but not to live into a house they have to live at a farm like pigs or in a big garden!My Christmas present was a dog not a minipig!
31 December 2009 at 15:04
I like a mini pig ery much because they are small,very funny and and next Christmas this will be my new present!
31 December 2009 at 15:16
Bothers me that pigs despise. An example is called "Dirty ski as pig!" or: "You have a room as a mess." The pigs despise, but because they live in a mess ... Such pigs are small but very cute! Maybe we have it =) By, Smallstar
31 December 2009 at 15:42
ı dont like pigs because it is very dirty
31 December 2009 at 16:52
The mini pigs are sweet, cool, good, friendly...A perfect presents for christmas. GRUUU... underneath the christmas tree! Beautiful idea, but is very expensive... however is a good surprise for childrens and boys. Mini pigs in the game ? Ahah, it's funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE MINI PIGS!!!!!!!!!! They're very cool!!!!!!!!!!!!
31 December 2009 at 23:21
I love christmas and christmas parties.I don't like pigs but I think this pigs are very cute and very pretty.for new year I want all people are healty.for christmas presents is mini pigs.I think this is very cute present.I don't like pigs but I like mini pigs because they are very cute.turkish pepople are don't like pigs.sometimes we are eat pigs and some people are dieing and I'm sad but they are very cute!!!!!!!!
31 December 2009 at 23:41
the pigs are very cute but not true in give to christmas presents.
Sorry we are no longer accepting comments for this article