A Vietnamese Pot-Bellied pig
My personal experience with Vietnamese Pot-Bellied pig is pretty my nonexistent. While I have come across them in passing at livestock conventions, it was never for an extended period of time.
History of the Vietnamese Pot-Bellied
Vietnamese Pot-bellied is the foreign name for the “Lon I” (Vietnamese: Lợn Ỉ) or I pig. Originating from the country of Vietnam, the Lon I has seen its popularity shift from a breed whose sole purpose was for consumption to one of domestication.
The Vietnamese Pot-bellied does not have a pinned down origin, but its widely considered that the hog is from the province of Nam Định. The surrounding area was all apart of the Red River Delta, and throughout this delta is where the Lon I became the most popular breed of hog hands down. It stayed this way until the 1970’s, with the population reaching millions at its peak, until it was supplanted by the Móng Cái.
Map of Nam Định in Vietnam
Due to the fall in popularity, the population of the Lon I was around 675,000 around 1991 and was as few as 120 by the year 2010. The National Institute of Animal Husbandry listed the breed as “critical” before moving it to “endangered” in 2007.
Popularity as a Pet
Before the Lon I became the popular pet it is today, it was tested on in labs and featured in zoos throughout parts of Sweden and Canada in the 1960’s. Soon after, this bled into other parts of Europe and the Lon I could be found on small farm operations and other zoos.
Around twenty years later into the mid 80’s, they were imported to the United States from their northern neighbor Canada. Many of these would not end up being considered pure bred though and would grow to a larger size than a purebred.
A few benefits of having a Pot-Bellied as a pet compared to other animals:
- Typically non-allergic for the majority of owners
- Less destructive on housing and furniture compared to puppies/older dogs
- Shedding is typically nonexistent and they do not bark all night long as a dog would
- Fleas do not attach themselves to pigs usually
Tips on How to Raise a Vietnamese Pot-Bellied
Due to their high intelligence, the Pot-Belied can be trained to perform various tasks and have extremely loving personalities due to their social nature. Just like other pets, they can walk on a leash and be taught to sit, stay, and roll over. Food is the ideal motivator during training, so low calorie treats, food pellets, and vegetables should be a part of their daily diet.
Having a backyard with plenty of space for them to roam would be the ideal situation, as the pig will designate a rooting area for themselves. Daily long walks are recommended if you do not have access to one.
Characteristics of the Vietnamese Pot-Bellied
The breed can come in a four main colors; solid black, pink, white, and spotted. Their average lifespan is around 15 – 18 years, but have been known to live as long as 20 years old. Staying true to its name, they usually have a large protruding belly and wrinkled skin. There are two specific types within the Lon I breed; the I-mo which is small & short legged with vertical pointed ears and the I-pha which is larger with longer legs and bigger horizontal ears.
| Male & Female | |
| Weight | 70lbs – 150lbs / 31kg – 68kg |
| Height | 14in – 20in / 35cm – 50cm |
| Length | 3ft / 91cm |
Other Facts
- In 2013 the breed was announced as an invasive species in Spain
- A male pig’s tusks grow throughout their entire lives and require routine trims.
- The best age to spay and neuter is between 4 to 6 months.
- A neutered male is called a “barrow,” an intact male is a “boar,” a female that has never had babies is called a “gilt” and a female that has given birth is a “sow.”