Meet good boy Theo, the hog who thinks he's a dog!
- Hayley O'Keeffe
- Apr 20
- 2 min read
He sits on command, spins on cue and trots happily beside his handler on a lead, but Theo is no ordinary puppy. In fact, the eight-month-old rising star is a pig.
The unlikely canine impersonator is causing a stir at Kew Little Pigs, where staff say his intelligence and enthusiasm rival even the most obedient dogs.
Nicknamed “Fido” by captivated farmhands, Theo has mastered an impressive repertoire of tricks including ‘sit’ and ‘twist’, and confidently tackles an agility course that would leave many household pets trailing behind. He is trained by farmhand Amelia Johns, 19, who has been working with him daily to hone his skills.
Amelia said: “Theo is just incredible to work with. He’s so switched on and eager to learn, you can almost see him thinking things through. Once he understands what you’re asking, he doesn’t forget it. He absolutely loves the interaction and the challenge, and I think that’s why he’s come on so quickly.”
Theo’s talents are more than just a party trick. The charismatic youngster is being prepared for life as a show pig, taking his unusual abilities out on the road to schools, care homes and public events, where he will help challenge perceptions about pigs.
His appearances will build on the success of the farm’s popular Pigs for Schools initiative, which has already reached more than 100,000 children. The programme is designed to teach empathy, teamwork and a deeper understanding of animals, using pigs as unexpected ambassadors.
Owner Olivia Mikhail, 42 believes Theo is the perfect poster pig for the cause, she said: “People are always surprised when they see what pigs are capable of, but the truth is they are exceptionally intelligent animals. They can problem solve, learn commands and build strong relationships with people, just like dogs can. Theo is a wonderful example of that, and he’s helping us show children and adults alike that pigs deserve far more respect than they often get.”
Visitors to the Buckinghamshire attraction have already fallen for Theo’s charm, gathering to watch his training sessions and cheering him on as he navigates obstacles with surprising agility.
Olivia added: "Theo is definitely a star here at Kew Little Pigs. but people really shouldn't be so surprised at how clever pigs really are. We think they are amazing and we are proud of all our animals."
To find out more about Kew Little Pigs go to www.kewlittlepigs.com and you can have 20% off a pet and play session by typing in pigsdiscount24 at the online checkout!
WITH THANKS TO SARAH ARNOLD
