To see if pigs are for you, the best option would be to enrol on one of the many excellent courses available up and down the country. These will allow you to handle the animals and gather all the information and advice needed.

Such courses offer a fun introduction but you will also need to get to grip with the paperwork and legal side of keeping pigs. Government agency DEFRA has produced an excellent online guide to help you through the legislation – much of which needs sorting before you even buy your pigs. The laws are there for everyone, whether you have just one pig or a large herd.

Many people will opt for one of the eight British rare breeds in the hope of protecting them from extinction and also because they look so much better. The breeds are: Berkshire, British Lop, British Saddleback, Gloucestershire Old Spot, Large Black, Middle White, Tamworth and Welsh and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust are an excellent source of information.

Each breed will have its own characteristics and it is important to match the pig to the type of land you have. It may also be worth seeking out others keeping pigs in the area – their knowledge in one particular breed could also sway you.

The key to buying your pigs is to make sure they come from a reputable breeder. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust can again help you.

Once you have your animals, you will need somewhere to keep them. Pig arks look the part – triangular structures raised off the ground to ensure the animals remain dry – and are readily available. The pigs will need plenty of straw, and some form of fencing to keep them on their own patch and out of yours. Electric fencing works well but those made from wooden posts are easier on the eye if the pig pen is destined within view of the house.

All animals need fresh water and pigs are no exception – it’s just what they do with it that sets them aside! They will often wallow in the water or insist on washing their faces in it which always raises a smile.

Be careful not to overfeed your animals, and while giving them scraps from the kitchen and garden is a good idea, remember it is illegal to feed them meat. Pigs do love feeding though and will relish the chance to forage for food around their pen.

Remember that not all vets will accept pigs so it’s worth checking this out in the early stages and not waiting for an emergency to strike. Pigs do tend to stay relatively fit because of the foraging they do but it is worth getting them tame enough to stroke as this will make life easier should they need taking to the vets. It will also make keeping pigs that bit more enjoyable.