Newbie Needs Help

[enggass]

I think I have made the decision to get a couple of pigs. Not for this year, but next year. I know little about them and so I will be doing a lot of research to find some that really fit my needs. My needs are:
Pets
Friendly/Docile
Small to Medium size
Cold Hardy
Smart
Good Looking(subjective, I know)

I have 2 young kids ages 4 and 6.
What breeds should I begin looking at and researching?
Where is the best place to locate piglets?
Can they be shipped or must I find some locally?
What do I need to consider that I may not be thinking of?

Currently I have Chickens and want to expand my homestead
Any advice appreciated...
Thanks,
Steve

 

[ourflockof4]

IMHO get a goat or sheep. A pig isn't going to be a very good pet for small kids. Granted some people do have them as pets, but pigs are designed for meat production and have been for hundreds of years. Having said that though, pot belly and kune kune will stay fairly small. Most other breeds will be 300-400 lbs in a year or so.

Do some research on this site. See if you really want to get them as pets. They can be very destructive, large animals.