Kunekune, Pot-Bellied or Farm Breed? What Size of Pig You're Choosing
21 September 2026
“What size of pig?” is really the first decision, because size drives space, feed, fencing and cost. This guide sets out what reliable sources say about the types most often kept as pets, and says where they disagree or go quiet.
Adult sizes, by source
| Type | Adult weight | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kunekune (female) | 54–90 kg (120–200 lb) | Smithsonian's National Zoo |
| Kunekune (male) | up to 90–136 kg (200–300 lb) | Smithsonian's National Zoo |
| Kunekune | 64–100 kg (140–220 lb), 60–77 cm at the shoulder | British Kunekune Pig Society |
| Pot-bellied (miniature) | 35–70 kg | RSPCA |
| Pot-bellied | 100–200 lb (about 45–90 kg) | Best Friends Animal Society |
| Pot-bellied | 100–150 lb (about 45–68 kg) | Smithsonian Magazine (2017) |
| Standard farm breeds | 200–300 kg or more if overfed | RSPCA |
The ranges overlap and disagree, which is the main lesson: don't plan for the bottom of any of them. Pigs also keep growing for years; Best Friends says they typically reach full height at around three years and can keep filling out until four or five.
Kunekune
The Smithsonian's National Zoo describes kunekunes as up to about 4 feet (1.2 metres) long and around 24 inches (60 cm) tall, usually living 15–20 years, and as intelligent, playful and affectionate and usually quite friendly toward humans (Smithsonian's National Zoo). It says they do not specifically eat by foraging and can live exclusively on well-maintained pasture grass, helped by their short snouts. The British Kunekune Pig Society describes a steady temperament and engaging nature that makes them extremely easy to handle, gives up to 15 years for lifespan, says they are herd animals that shouldn't be sold as single pigs unless you already keep pigs, and that they can be registered on a breeding register or, if you won't breed, a pet register (British Kunekune Pig Society). The two sources give different lifespans, another reason to plan for the long end.
Pot-bellied pigs
The RSPCA gives 35–70 kg for miniature breeds such as Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, and lists health issues to watch such as dry scaly skin, arthritis and lameness, and inverted eyelids in pot-bellied pigs (see pig health and vet care). The weights from other sources in the table are higher. Best Friends Animal Society notes that pigs sold as “teacup” are typically potbellied pigs (are teacup pigs real?).
Farm breeds
The RSPCA says standard breeds can reach 200–300 kg or more if overfed, and Best Friends says adult farm pigs can weigh around 1,000 lb. That is a different animal from any of the above and needs the space and fencing to match. We haven't found sourced size or temperament information for individual heritage farm breeds, so we haven't covered them.
What the size means for your plans
- Enter the adult weight in the UK or US pig pen size calculator, and see how much space a pig needs.
- Budget feed for the adult with the feed cost calculator.
- Plan land and rotation; the sources disagree widely on how much (see how much land pigs need).
- Buy at least two, and ask the seller the questions in buying a pet pig.
What we couldn't find
We found no sourced temperament comparison between breeds other than the kunekune descriptions above, no sourced adult sizes for individual heritage farm breeds, and no reliable UK price. Ask breed societies and breeders for your particular breed, and check what your local rules say about keeping pigs at all.
Sources: Smithsonian's National Zoo, kunekune pig; British Kunekune Pig Society, “Buying Kunekune”; RSPCA, “Pigs”; Best Friends Animal Society; Smithsonian Magazine (2017). Sources checked: September 2026.
Common questions
- How big do kunekune pigs get?
- The Smithsonian's National Zoo gives adult females as 120 to 200 pounds (54 to 90 kg) and males up to 200 to 300 pounds (90 to 136 kg), about 24 inches (60 cm) tall. The British Kunekune Pig Society gives 60 to 77 cm at the shoulder and 64 to 100 kg. The sources differ, so plan for the top of the range.
- How big do pot-bellied pigs get?
- The RSPCA says miniature breeds such as Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs grow to 35 to 70 kg. Best Friends Animal Society says 100 to 200 pounds (about 45 to 90 kg) and Smithsonian Magazine says 100 to 150 pounds.
- Are kunekune pigs good pets?
- The British Kunekune Pig Society describes a steady temperament that makes them extremely easy to handle, and the Smithsonian's National Zoo calls them intelligent, playful and affectionate. They are herd animals and should be bought in pairs, and they still have to meet the same legal and space requirements as any pig.
- Which pig breed is smallest?
- None of the sources we checked identifies a breed that stays small. The RSPCA gives the lowest adult weight range we found, 35 to 70 kg, for miniature breeds such as Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, and 'teacup' and 'micro' are marketing labels rather than breeds.
Size the pen for the adult pig
Enter your group size to get a straight answer, sourced from your region's standards.
Want to see what keeping pigs is actually like?
Try My Backyard — a simple interactive simulation. Adopt one, feed it, play with it, keep its bedding clean, and see how it gets on.
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