Last updated at 12:20, Friday, 12 October 2012

It was love at first sight when Piglet the “pig dog” met Alfie the terrier.

PIG DOG: Nick Lawler, owner of Winder Hall, Lorton, has noticed a bond being formed between his pet dog Alfie and one of his Saddleback piglets

A Saddleback piglet has become the talk of Lorton, near Cockermouth, after she started following owner Nick Lawler’s dog around.

The three-month-old sow has sparked up an unusual friendship with the two-year-old terrier after escaping from the pig pen she shared with her 10 siblings.

She now likes to roam and frolic freely in a neighbouring field with Alfie when Mr Lawler goes to feed his pigs.

The bond has become so strong between the two that she has slept alongside Alfie in his kennel and eats out of a dog bowl.

Mr Lawler, 44, of Smithy Cottage, Low Lorton, who owns Winder Hall, said: “She really does think she’s a dog and I think it’s been love at first sight for both of them.

“I have never seen that sort of relationship between a pig and a dog before. Normally a pig is really guarded around a dog but both seem at ease in each others company.

“A lot of our guests at Winder Hall and our friends think it’s amazing.”

Mr Lawler is married to Ann, 45. They have three children – Eloise, 13, Cameron, 12, and Rosie Blue Skye, six.

He started breeding Saddleback pigs eight years ago.

Piglet was the runt of a litter of 11 piglets born to dad Sheldon and mum Lizzy in June.

First published at 11:49, Friday, 12 October 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk