'Teacup Pigs' (VIDEO): The Latest Adorable Phenomenon To Hit Britain

Coming out of England, the latest high-end pet hitting the market is, wait for it, a pig. But it's not just any pig. These "teacup pigs" only grow about as big as a small spaniel, and they're bringing the awwws from pet lovers and celebrities alike. They're available in the U.S., but before you squeal for joy, check the price tag. They go for about $1,100 -- apparently the smaller the pig, the bigger the price.

WATCH a segment on the pigs from the Today show.

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Comments

[Progressiveama]

On the one hand, it gives me joy that pigs are going to be seen as living, breathing, creatures who are more than ham and pork chops. It saddens me tremendously that we have, now, another little animal that is going to be at the mercy of humans. Our record is not very good, millions of dogs are put down every single day because someone wanted to adopt and animal and didn't go the whole way with it, someone turned an innocent spirit into a biting, fighting dog, and etc. I cringe at these tiny little precious animals being made for human entertainment.

[research]

more domestic pigs, more swine flu pandemics.

[tlgeiger62]

I remember George Clooney's pot-bellied pig. I think he still has her! I think they live for quite a while!

[spikeykitten]

"teacup pigs"

The latest high end pet

Teacup pig roasts

The latest in appetizers

[TequilaMockingbird]

Cornish Game Pigs..

[burtmckinly]

The end must be near.

[SolarPowerGuy]

Tryptophan, is that you?

[burtmckinly]

You mean tryptamine?

[rextrek]

4 WORDS - A-DOR-AB-LE! But outa my price range..not when people are starving in the world.

[PlanoBlue]

No tea-cup pigs for me. Nor tea-cup poodles.

[kerry1962]

I can just hear the conversation with husband. "Hon, meet our new pets - Bacon Bits and Hamstring. ROFLMAO.

[Luvial]

Maybe a solution for the obesity problem in the US. Tiny bacon strips.

[westphilly726]

LOL!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­That is so funny

[ScottWynn]

It's sad that you see the pig species as inferior, lets joke about eating your kids.

[LeftLeanWing]

Not only are they inferior..­...they are usually FOOD !

These ARE the secret ingredient in BabyBack Ribs .

[Galong]

Well-said Scott! I'd like to add that just because eating pork is a tradition doesn't make it ethical or right in any way. Traditionally a lot of people had slaves, abused women, killed people over religious beliefs, etc, etc. Tradition justifies nothing.

Pigs are intelligent creatures and these little guys are adorable. Joking about eating them is pathetic. Environmen­tally-spea­king, raising pigs for food is extremely inefficient and polluting. It's a waste of land and grain.

[Plissken]

Hopefully this is not the result of genetic manipulation.

[DivineDNA]

They're just too precious. :)

[platanoman]

Cute

[petekwando]

Must not let my wife see this. ;)

[SolarPowerGuy]

I'm pretty sure it's the FIRST thing my wife will look at when she reads the news tonight. :^)

[yliza]

This wife has already seen it, and my husband has already said "no way!" :-) Seriously, though, I'd rather rescue a dog who needs a home than pay through the nose for one of these little cuties.

[lee1]

EWWW

[fem56]

I love pigs. I wonder if they would get along with our dog? How about my husband? That is more the stumbling block besides for now if I ever break through the second stumbling block a rescued dog will be next. Pigs like to go a visiting so the yard would have to be extra secure and of course have a buddy as mentioned

[SolarPowerGuy]

I knew someone who adopted an orphaned, baby wild boar. It was very sociable, and behaved very much like a dog. It could walk on a leash! This was not even an animal with domestication in its recent history (though I've read that wild pigs are often the descendants of escaped domesticated pigs).

Alas, the boar grew to over 100 pounds eventually, and was no longer suitable as a house pet.

[yliza]

Pigs are actually quite intelligent, or so I have read. They are supposed to be as intelligent as dogs.