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Pigs, scientifically known as Their, are well-known animals found all over the world. There are at least eight different species of pigs that make up the genus.
Domestic pigs are originally from the sow or wild boars, and today there are over a hundred registered breeds of pigs.
pigs are omnivores, meaning they eat just about anything. In the wild, pigs live in forests where they can forage for plants, insects, acorns, beechnuts and chestnuts.
Domestic pigs are fed “pork sludge” from soybeans and corn. Pigs could easily earn the nickname “garbage disposal” because they greatly appreciate leftover fruits, peels, vegetables and other table waste.
Today we are talking about giant pigs around the world. Some may be surprised to know that the largest pigs in the world are domesticated. So let’s get started!
#10 Tamworth Pig
The smallest on our list comes from Tamworth Staffordshire in the UK. The Tamworth pig is a lean, athletic, ginger-red pig and is one of the oldest breeds of the genus.
The Tamworth pig was recognized as a breed in 1885 and began to rise in popularity across the UK, Australia, Canada, the US and New Zealand. They are known as a “Bacon” breed because of their ability to thrive on low-energy foods and slow growth.
Tamworth pigs are well suited to the outdoors as their red fur helps protect them from sunburn. Like most pigs, the Tamworth is intelligent and highly sociable, with a pleasant disposition.
These ginger pigs are currently listed as endangered in the US, with less than 300 females registered to breed
These little piggies can weigh up to 600 pounds and rank tenth on the list of the largest pigs in the world.
#9 Hampshire Pig
This medium sized pig is derived from an English breed found in Northern England and Scotland. The breed originated in Hampshire, England, hence their name.
Imports of the Hampshire pigs into America continued from 1827 to 1839, making it one of the oldest breeds in the world. American history.
Pigs left behind in that part of England eventually became the ‘Wessex Saddleback’, a similarly colored pig with floppy ears rather than erect ears like the Hampshire pig. Hampshire pigs are well-muscled and fast growers whose sows are praised for being good mothers.
Hampshire pigs have black bodies with a white band around the center, covering the long front legs. They can live for 20 years and mature adults can weigh up to 650 pounds.
#8 Landrace pig
Landrace pigs are a somewhat vague group of standardized domestic pigs that come from the Danish Landrace – other Landrace pigs derived from crossbreeding and continuous development.
Landrace pigs are named after their region and are found all over the world. Some of the most common Landrace pigs are:
- American landrace
- Dutch Landrace
- Estonian landrace
- Bulgarian Landrace
- Canadian Landrace
- Belgian Landrace
- british landrace
- Danish Landrace
From the original Danish Landrace, other Landrace pigs were derived through crossing and continuous improvement.
Fun fact: Technically, modern breeds are not landraces.
Since the original Danish landrace came from the free-breeding of local, non-pedigree pedigrees, modern landraces are bred on purpose rather than allowing natural selection.
Landrace pigs live six to ten years and are found in most countries in Central and Eastern countries Europe with local varieties of:
These white lop-eared pigs can grow to 700 pounds at full maturity, taking number eight on the list.
#7 British saddleback
The origin of Saddleback pigs is not entirely clear. However, it is believed that the Saddleback probably evolved from the British forest pig.
The British Saddleback is a hybrid of two saddle pigs, the Essex and the Wessex. Both pigs are named after their English homeland.
The British Saddleback is black with a band or “saddle” on the shoulders and front legs. The Saddleback’s black hair and skin make it an ideal candidate for farming in warmer climates, as it aids in protection from the sun’s rays.
There is no active British Saddleback breed club to advise on population and information, but numbers in the United States are small.
As mature adults, these lop-eared pigs can weigh up to 700 pounds.
#6 Yorkshire (“Great White Pig”)
Yorkshire pigs, also known as “Large White Pigs”, a hybrid of the large native white pig in northern England and the smaller, thicker white Chinese pig, first emerged in 1791 in Yorkshire, England.
Around 1830, the first Yorkshires were imported to Ohio, where their popularity really started to rise in the 1940s. Many Yorkshires were imported to the US from Canada and England and improved quickly thanks to selective breeding.
Today, Yorkshires can be found in almost every state, most of them in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Iowa. Large white pigs are the main source of the pork industry, the practices of which are sometimes considered questionable or even negligible for animal welfare.
Pig farmers should keep these pale pigs out of the sun because of their sensitive, fair skin.
Yorkshire pigs can weigh up to 750 pounds, and we’re only on number six!
#5 Red Wattle Pig
The large red wattle hog is native to the United States. However, the exact origin is unknown.
Today’s modern Red Wattle pig is derived from the large red wattle pigs found by HC Wengler in a forest area of East Texas in the 1970s.
Wengler bred two sows (females) with a duroc boar (male) and then bred the offspring bac
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to the original sow. Over time, the Red Wattle pig became what it is today.
These pigs range in shades of red, but can sometimes be nearly black. Wattle pigs get their name from the fleshy flaps attached to the sides of their necks called wattles.
What purpose do these wattles serve, you ask?
Nobody knows.
Red Wattles are more of a “lard” pig, with more fat than their long, lean “bacon” pig counterparts. They are great pigs on the pasture with natural sun protection with their red coats.
Red wattles have slender noses and jaws with erect ears hanging from the tips. Mature adults can weigh up to 800 pounds, making the Red Wattle number five on our list!
#4 Big black pig
Popular in the early 20th century and exported to many parts of the world, after World War II other pigs were used that were better for intensive livestock farming.
The big black pig is a docile and sturdy breed native to England. Two boatloads of black pigs from China were docked in Cornwall and East Anglia and then used to breed with local pigs.
The Large Black is the only British pig whose skin is completely black, protecting them from the weather in warmer climates.
These sturdy collectors have lop-eared ears that often obscure their view. However, their floppy ears also serve as face and eye protection while digging and foraging.
By 1960, the great black race was nearly extinct. Although numbers have risen, they are still considered vulnerable.
Another world record was set by a large black pig owned by AMHarris of Lapworth. This big black sow had 26 litters in 12 years between 1940 and 1952 and held the world record for most litters of piglets produced in a lifetime.
Large black pigs can live 12-20 years and weigh up to 800 pounds.
#3 The Poland China
The Poland China pig breed was developed in Ohio between 1835 and 1870. They are an amalgamation of Polish pigs and Big Chinas, hence their name.
These pigs became popular for their ability to gain weight quickly and for their robustness.
Poland China pigs are black with a white face, feet and white on the tail tip. These handsome pigs are large built, muscular, tall in body and lean, with drooping ears.
Poland China pigs are popular in South America and the United States, especially in the Midwest Corn Belt.
Did you know that the largest pig ever recorded was a pig from Poland?
It’s true! “Big Bill” was a Poland China Hog from Tennessee who grew to 2,500 pounds! Bill still holds the world record for the largest pig in the world.
Typically, these adaptable pigs weigh up to 800 pounds at full maturity.
#2 The Duroc (Duroc jersey)
The Duroc pig is a lean, muscular breed that originated around 1850. The Duroc is a hybrid of the “Jersey Red” and the “New York Duroc” that became popular in the country in the 1930s, but fell out of favor with white pigs.
Duroc Jersey pigs can live in both cold and warm climates. These long-bodied pigs have a light saucer in their faces and hang from their ears. The color of the Duroc ranges from light gold to deep red, but their fur is often orange-red.
These pigs grow relatively quickly and an adult boar can weigh up to 880 pounds!
#1 The Hungarian Mangalitsa (Mangalica)
The Mangalitsa or Mangalica of Hungary is the only breed of pig that still has a thick woolly, sheep-like coat. These beauties were all but lost in the 90s when there were less than 200 pigs left.
The Mangalitsa, meaning “pig with lots of lard,” lost its popularity in the 20th century when fat was labeled “bad.” However, they are gaining a niche market at a premium price lately.
Mangalitsa pigs are usually blond in color, although that can sometimes be black or even red. Their unique, thick coat and high fat content make them an ideal pet for colder climates, although their large size does require a lot of space.
The Mangalitsa grows more slowly than leaner breeds and they produce fewer piglets. They are one of the fattest pigs in the world, and an adult boar can weigh between 800 and 1000 pounds!
More than pork
Pigs are good-humoured animals and even good pets in some cases. However, breed populations change over time due to the popularity and demand for the meat they produce.
Like it or not, the food industry determines which pig breeds remain and which disappear. Fortunately, there are often a few loyal pig farmers who maintain vulnerable breeds due to low demand.
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