Vietnamese Potbellied Pig

Vietnamese Potbellied Pig is a small pig breed originating in Vietnam, distinguished by a pronounced sagging belly, a swayed back and short legs that give it a rounder, more compact profile than most farm pig breeds. It was exported from Vietnam to Europe and North America beginning in the 1980s, initially through zoos and then into the exotic pet trade, where it became popular as a companion animal kept in homes rather than as commercial livestock. Its small size compared to standard farm pigs, along with a reputation for intelligence and trainability, drove a wave of popularity as a household pet in the United States during the late 1980s and 1990s, though many owners later found the pigs grew larger and lived longer than initially expected. In parts of Vietnam and Southeast Asia the breed, or closely related potbellied types, is also kept for meat rather than as a pet.