If you hear "grouik" at the counter of the bar-tabac Le Brest-Mêm', in Saint-Marc (Finistère), it's normal.
A certain Couscous, 60 kg and four springs on the clock, spends a large part of the week there with his mistress, who has worked there since 2017. Carole Germain adopted this Göttingen, a domestic pig of German breed, “on a whim” , and does not regret his action.
The friendly animal has joined the two cane corso dogs from Brest to form a pack like no other.
But above all, Couscous allowed her dear Carole Germain to undergo original training, which gave her a unique profession and know-how in France: that of pedicure for pigs (Pédichon on Facebook).
“Since his adoption, when he was only one month and ten days old, I have subscribed to quite a few pages and groups specialized for pigs on social networks,” she says.
One point often came up regarding their well-being and health: do not neglect their nails and hooves, which can grow too much and turn over.
A bit like horses.
You have to be very careful.
» Same thing for the males’ tusks, “which can go so far as to pierce their cheeks”.
“I ask their master to scratch them”
In 2023, the Brest tobacconist learned that a Dutch woman had been the first in Europe to be trained in this little-known profession, “by an American, because this profession was then only practiced in the United States”.
“Since then, she has trained three people: one in Belgium, one in Spain, and me.”
The meeting took place during a trip by his trainer to France, who came to groom around a hundred domestic pigs.
“Obviously, I included Couscous.
I talked a lot with her and ended up following her for ten days, before completing my training in the Netherlands and Belgium.
When I returned to France, I took care of Jeannette, my first client, in the Paris region.
»
Giving a pig a pedicure, a subtle art mastered by Carole Germain.
LP/Nora Moreau
Today, Carole Germain has more than 230 pigs on her clock, and has been doing so since July 4, 2023. On the two weekend days corresponding to the closure of her tobacco bar, she hits the road with her three “doggies” and goes to meet its customers.
“I still do as many as possible during my vacation,” she slips, with a tired but delighted smile.
Some pigs can weigh up to 160 kg.
“It’s impossible to administer any sedative or anesthetize them, they have heart problems,” she explains.
I often ask their family to scratch them so they relax and move to the side!
You must then turn the animal over to put it in a turtle position.
Once on my back, all four irons in the air, I wedge it between my legs at shoulder level, and off we go!
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Sometimes, “like at the vet”, the animal becomes anxious and cries a lot.
“It is often impressive for the masters, but there is nothing serious or painful.
The pig is much more relieved after this pedicure.”
And she has plenty of examples.
Like that of a female abandoned, in Poullaouen, who today finds a new life, largely because she could no longer walk, her nails were so curved and long...
Next step, for Carole Germain, is to try to sell her bar to devote herself fully to this new profession.
“And why not train on the same thing for goats and sheep, when it’s done?
» she slips with a wink.