Domesticated pigs were originally used as a source of food. In the last hundred years they have also become pets. Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs are popular pets due to their smaller size, lack of shedding, and tough skin that resists fleas and parasites. They are highly trainable and make very loyal pets. They can be trained to the same extent as a dog.
Pigs can even be house broken.
Due to a lack of hair, pigs' skin is sensitive to the sun. In the wild they wallow in the mud to stay cool and protect their skin. At the Zoo they get applications of sunscreen and oil to keep their skin healthy. Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs are bred to mature and grow early. This makes them fertile early.