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Chocolate Chip - 4 months Bela at 9 months of age
Bela - 7 months
Chip - 4 months
 
The Juliana Pig - also known as the Miniature Painted pig or
mini Juliani is a very rare breed of tiny pig. They are an old breed of pig originating in Europe and were imported to
the USA years ago. They have been endangered several times but thanks to good
breeders you can still find them today. They are always
spotted but come in a variety of colors: white with black spots, silver with
black spots, rust or red with black spots, white with rust spots, etc. Juliana
pigs are supposed to have a very outgoing and friendly personality like a dog.
They are highly intelligent and make great pets. The Juliana is one of the
smallest breeds of pigs so make great house pets.
There is plenty of controversy over the 'teacup' sized pigs
right now. Some people who have smaller potbellies (90-120) pounds will claim
the piglets they have for sale will only be 40 or 50 pounds. Other people will
claim there is not such thing as a healthy pig under 60 pounds. Still others
will claim there is no such thing as a purebred Juliana in this country. I guess
my answer to all of this is go and see for yourself. When I bought my piglet I
was able to see several adult Juliana pigs as well as two other small breeds of
pigs. I was able to see a distinct difference between the three varieties - and
yes the Julianas really are small pigs! I have had the oppurtinuity to see
severa Juliana pigs in person. The average size tends to be in the 25 - 35 pound
range. I have seen a purebred Juliana as large as 60 pounds and as small as 15
pounds.
A few words of caution when buying a pet
pig. Never buy a piglet without looking at the parents/relatives and
knowing there may be a possibility the pig will get quite large. Never buy from
a breeder who does not agree to take back the pig at any point in it's life if
you cannot keep it - there are too many abandoned pigs out there for breeders
not to be willing to take back any animal they have produced. Talk in person or
on the phone to the breeder and make sure you have confidence that they know
what they are producing and can help match you up with a good piglet. If you
want a Juliana expect it to be a 30 pound pig, yes some are smaller but if you
are not willing to keep a 30 pound pig do not get a pig. Even if both parents
are only 20 pounds it does not mean the piglet will be as small. RESEARCH
RESEARCH RESEARCH!!!! Do not buy a pet pig on the spur of
the moment, they need attention, leadership, discipline and above all loving
commitment.
WARNING: I have recently heard several
reports about breeders shipping out piglets when they are only a week or two of
age. This is not only illegal if flown on a plane, but a dangerous thing to do
for the health of the piglet. If a breeder is
willing to ship you a 2 week old piglet you should not be buying a piglet from
them. A piglet needs to be with it's mother for at least 4 weeks for nutritional
reasons and needs to be with it's mother and or siblings for at least 7 weeks
for behavioral reasons. Breeders who are pulling piglets off the parents too
early and bottle feeding them to make them 'friendlier' are setting the new
owner up for all kinds of behavioral problems when the pig gets older. We do not
need any more pigs in rescues, so please wait until piglets are at least 7 weeks
before you get them (and that they have been with their parents and siblings for
those 7 weeks).
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