Has The World Gone Micro Mad?

Forget designer dogs favoured by models, so-called celebrities and fashionistas, for some it’s more about micro pigs, micro cows and miniature livestock

- Jeremy Hobson

Periodically, and for no apparent reason, the most unlikely people seem to fall in love with a particular type of animal which then develops a cult following. In the world of pigs, these have included the KuneKune (Jonathan Ross has owned them) and the Vietnamese Pot-Bellied (George Clooney is a famous former owner). A decade or so ago, it became fashionable for some to own a micro pig and, while there is nothing wrong with keeping such an animal — in the correct way — there is always the danger that unscrupulous breeders will attempt to jump on the bandwagon whenever a particular type of animal’s popularity becomes apparent. Caveat emptor: Let the buyer beware. Beware of buying a pig in a poke, in fact.

Did you know...?

To be officially recognised as miniature, a donkey (sometimes referred to as a Mediterranean donkey) has to measure no more than 36in. In contrast, Derrick, a five-year-old donkey living at the Radcliffe Sanctuary in Lincolnshire, stood at 5ft 7in in April 2019 and, with a little more growing to do, was set to become the tallest donkey in the world.

The Falabella is considered the original miniature horse. It originated in Brazil in the mid-19th century. Confusingly, while it has pony dimensions, it is usually referred to as a ‘horse’

To qualify as miniature, a llama must be no more than 38in at the front withers (or shoulder height) at the age of three. That makes it about threequarters of the size of a standard llama, but still a little larger than a standard alpaca.

Pygmy goats came from the Cameroon Valley in Africa and were first imported to various countries during the 1950s.

Rosecombs are said to be one of the oldest true bantam breeds. King Richard III was a keen fancier after being given a pen of them by an innkeeper.

A PIG IN A POKE