KEEPING a pet pig in the same house as a dog definitely impacts on their behaviour – especially when it comes to 'begging' for food.
Work in Hungary has found that the popular in-house pig pets, micropigs, copied dog behaviour, but actually proved that bit more clever when it came to food.
Scientists first put food in an easily opened box, which the pigs and dogs both found ways of getting at. But when it was put in a more secure box, the dogs gave up easily and 'asked' humans for help. The pigs, however, spent much longer trying to solve the problem.
The conclusion? Pigs seem to be more resilient and independent when it comes to problem solving.
It begs the question, though, why would anyone allow a pig into their home in the first place?
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here