Are you wondering if there are any rare breeds of pigs you may not be aware of? We are pretty sure many breeds of pigs are unknown to you.
The diversity makes it nearly impossible to know about every organism on this planet. Researchers find it almost impossible to account for every diverse organism residing here.
Different characteristics are seen in other breeds, even for a simple, smart, and docile creature like a pig.
Do not worry. You have stumbled upon the right article, which will answer your questions. From their size to their distinctive feature, this article covers all the important aspects of rare pig breeds.
For your amusement, delve into the article and learn more about the rare and unheard breeds of pigs, along with fun facts about pigs!
Rare and Unheard Breeds of Pigs
There are many unusual and rare breeds of pigs. Let us look at a few examples to understand their distinctive characteristics.
1. Kunekune Pig
This breed of pigs originated in New Zealand. The Kunekune pigs are small in size, and they are known for their friendliness. They are calm and suitable as pets.
Their appearance is quite distinctive, as seen in the picture above. Their overall build is compact, and they possess a short snub nose. They can adapt to diverse farming environments and are quite robust.
Their unique feature is that they have wattles that hang from their lower jaw. These wattles/tassels add to their charm and cute appearance.
2. Mangalica Pig
These pigs are often called “curly-haired pigs” because of the appearance of curly hair on their bodies. The Mangalica pigs are known for their distinctive wooly appearance. They resemble sheep.
As in sheep, the woolly coat in this breed of pigs helps in insulation and tolerates cold climates. These pigs are seen in multiple colors, such as red, blonde, or swallow-bellied.
Mangalica pigs are a priced breed in Hungary owing to their exceptional quality pork. Their meat is flavorful and has a marbled appearance.
3. Ossabaw Island Hog
This breed of pigs has a unique historical viewpoint attached to it. Although the Ossabaw Island Hog are native to the USA, they have descended from a breed of Spanish pigs.
They were brought to Ossabaw Island back in the 16th century. They survived on scarce resources. Hence, they developed the distinctive ability to store fat.
Their overall build is concave, and they are small in size. Their genetic and historical significance is immense. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this breed.
4. Red Wattle Pig
The Red Wattle is a rare breed of pigs that originated in the USA. Their meat is flavorful, succulent, and has a marbled appearance.
Their distinctive feature is their striking red coat and fleshy lobes hanging from jaws.
These pigs are generally docile. They are medium to large and renowned for their unique and excellent foraging abilities.
5. Tamworth Pig
The Tamworth originated in England and is one of the oldest pig breeds. Their distinctive feature is their long and straight snout and golden-red coat.
This breed also showcases exceptional foraging ability and adaptability to various environments. These pigs are also known for their intelligence and hardiness.
Their long and mobile snout aids them in foraging and other activities such as rooting. The Tamworth pigs also produce high-quality meat and are important in traditional farming practices.
6. Gloucestershire Old Spot
This breed of pigs is also called “Old Spots” or “Spots”. The Gloucestershire Old Spot originated in England.
This breed is known for its large size and white having black spots, justifying the name given to them. Another noteworthy feature is their floppy ears that cover their eyes partially.
These pigs are also docile and are perfect pets or farm animals. Their distinctive appearance and meat quality make them a valuable breed.
7. Middle White
This breed originated in England. The Middle White hogs are generally small and have a compact build. Their distinctive feature is their short nose.
The appearance of the face is broad and dished. This breed of pigs is friendly and can adapt to different farming conditions.
Although small, they are believed to be robust and excellent in grazing environments. Their coat is not that dense, therefore appearing like regular pigs.
8. American Guinea Hog
As the name suggests, this breed is a native of the United States. This breed is also small and hardy. The American Guinea Hog is known for its calm temperament.
Their overall build is compact, and their ears are upright, unlike Ols Spots pigs. The face appears slightly dished.
As their stature is compact, the legs are distinctively small. This breed is a popular choice among small-scale farming and conservationists.
9. Hampshire Pig
The Hampshire pig breed originated in England. Their distinctive feature is their unique appearance. Their coat is black, having a white belt.
This white belt covers the front shoulders and extends to the forelimbs. Their overall build is muscular, the ears are erect, and they are medium-sized.
These pigs are extremely important for farming because of their efficient growth and lean meat.
10. Mulefoot Pig
This breed is rare, and it gets its name due to its resemblance to a non-cloven hoof, like a mole. The hooves are solid and fused.
The hooves are the distinctive feature that sets them apart from other pig breeds. They are medium-sized and docile.
The Mulefoot pig originated in the United States in the Midwest.
Summing It Up
As we conclude this list of rare breeds of pigs, it is noteworthy that these are some of the important ones we mentioned. The list does not end here.
The above list is wholesome as it covers the origin, size, build, coat type, unique features, and much more about each breed of pig mentioned.
The breeds mentioned above reflect the docile nature of this animal, though, in the wild, pigs are seen to be violent as well.
Let us know in the comments if you have heard about any of these breeds!
