June 29, 2009

(ZT Pet News Photo by Jennifer Glasse)

HEREFORDSHIRE, England – Pigs wander freely around Barton Hill Farm at the top of a winding driveway in rural England. But one pig stands out.

The small black and white animal trains faithfully every day on an obstacle course, zig-zagging through cones, running through a plastic tunnel, walking up and down ramps – all on command.

Wendy Scudamore says her male Kune Kune – pronounced cooney cooney – named Sue is the smartest pig she’s ever known.

“Some days when I’ve been here training him, I come out feeling really excited, I think ‘Wow, he really does understand everything and he really is learning’,” she said.

Sue, named after the Johnny Cash song, "A Boy Named Sue" wasn’t supposed to be a performing pig. Scudamore had hoped he would be a breeding boar for the farm. There was a mix-up at the veterinarian’s office, leaving Sue neutered, thus a new direction was needed.

But it was Sue who created his own destiny when Scudamore’s daughter, Lucy, was running her dog through the paces on an obstacle course out in the yard. Sue followed behind, and instantly, the Scudamores recognized his talent.

It’s the kind of aptitude made famous by the movie "Babe," the story of a piglet which becomes a performer, herding sheep like a dog. Entertaining now seems to be Sue’s calling.

Yet, Scudamore isn’t expecting Sue to be film-perfect.

“I don’t think he’s ever going to be quite as clever as Babe, but it’s a nice thought,” she said. Still, Scudamore keeps the film dialogue in mind as she trains Sue. “I love that line: 'that’ll do pig, that’ll do pig.' I thought, I must keep trying to remember to say that to him.”

Scudamore will take Sue to farm shows, using his skills to promote the Kune Kune breed at her own stall, and having him compete in pig obedience events. Daughter, Lucy, says Sue’s breed gives her a natural advantage.

“All pigs are really smart, but Kunes because they’re more affectionate, they pick up things really quick,” Lucy said.

The 12-year-old girl has been raised with pigs all her life. The experience comes with rules: if piglets are going to be sold, the family doesn’t name them, so they don’t get too attached, she explains, otherwise, the pigs are a natural feature of the farm

“They’re as much a part of our family as the dogs are,” said Lucy. “ They’re a good thing to have in your garden, they eat your grass.”

That is certainly the case at Barton Hill.

Full-grown pigs mingle with piglets in the garden around the house, and the wider, sprawling grounds of the farm. They run when the Scudamore’s shake buckets full of feed.

Scudamore is trying to promote the Kune breed in Britain – as good pets – and that’s why she sells them. She says that because Sue is so attached to her, his training is easier.

“He’s more of a pet and more interested in me than in the other pigs and that helps to keep his concentration.”

Scudamore is training Sue differently than most pigs. So far he responds to voice commands, and is doing touch training – she rewards him when he touches his snout to a white pad. She’s hoping that will lead to more complicated tricks, such as playing music, perhaps on a little keyboard.

Scudamore says pigs have great memories, and she expects Sue to add a lot of tricks to his repertoire.

“I think it certainly shows that there is a lot you can do with a little pig.”

Jennifer Glasse is the ZT Pet News correspondent covering the United Kingdom.

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