Göttingen minipig
The Göttingen minipig (also known as the Göttinger or "Goettingen" minipig) is a breed of miniature pig. The Göttingen minipig is the smallest domestic pig breed known in the world; as an adult, they weigh around 35 kg (77 lb). Beside being known for their exceptionally small size, the Göttingen minipigs are known for their docile nature and very clean and well-characterized health status. Raising of this breed began in the late 1960s at the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics (Institut für Tierzucht und Haustiergenetik) at the University of Göttingen, Germany, by crossbreeding the Minnesota mini-pig, the Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig, and the German Landrace pig. Göttingen minipigs are highly favored as pets, however, the breed was specifically developed for biomedical research. Today, they are extensively bred at four separate locations globally.
| Life Span | 15-20 years |
| Weight | 50-350 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Göttingen minipig
Finding a responsible Göttingen minipig breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells pigs commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Göttingen minipig. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Göttingen minipigs appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
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Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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