Despite public misconception, not all pigs are the same. In this article, we have highlighted the eight breeds of pigs that occur in South Africa, along with a short description and some of their traits. This should help you identify which breeds you are dealing with.

The Large White

• This pig breed is all white and originates from England.
• It has erect ears and is a large animal with a broad back.
• The Large White crosses well with other breeds, has a good carcass quality, and the dams produce many piglets per litter.
• This breed is sensitive to E. coli and stomach ulcers.

The Kolbroek

• The Kolbroek is indigenous to South Africa.
• This breed has a body colour that can be black, grey or reddish with very visible spots on the hindquarters.
• It is the smallest of all the pig breeds, with a characteristic belly that almost touches the ground.
• The Kolbroek is a low maintenance breed and is very adaptable to the environment. It has a gentle and docile character and is not susceptible to stress.
• It has a small gene pool making it susceptible to inbreeding.

The South African Landrace

• Like the Large White, the SA Landrace has a white colouring.
• Although the pedigree lines from which it was bred originated in Denmark and Sweden, this branch was bred right here in South Africa.
• This breed has ears that droop, a long body, and a smaller bone structure.
• The SA Landrace is a good breeder, crosses well with other breeds, and has a good carcass quality.
• They are susceptible to stress and the boars may have a lowered libido.

The Piètrain

• The Piètrain breed originated in Belgium and has a very distinct appearance due to its light grey colour and black spotted body.
• The ears of this breed are semi-droopy, the legs are shorter, and the body is well-built.
• This breed has a very good temperament and their bodies have a good lean to fat ratio.
• The Piètrain is susceptible to stress which may cause poor meat quality.

The Large Black

• This breed originates from England and can be identified by the solid black colour of its body.
• The Large Black breed has droopy ears and a big body frame; it can grow to be a very large size.
• The females of this breed make good mothers. The breed is also known for its hardiness and calm temperament.
• The Large Black is an early maturing breed with a limited gene pool which puts it at risk of inbreeding.

The Hampshire

• This breed originates from the States and is easily distinguished by its black body and white “belt” around the shoulders.
• The Hampshire has ears that stand upright, has a medium body frame, and a face that is slightly narrower and longer than other breeds.
• The Hampshire has a good quality carcass with a lot of lean muscle.
• The breed is known for its good temperament.
• Like the Large Black and the Kolbroek, the Hampshire breed also has a limited gene pool, which puts it at risk of inbreeding.
• The sows have poor mothering ability and the boars suffer from low libido.

The Chester White

• The Chester White also originates from the States, and has an all white body colouring like the Landrace and the Large White.
• This breed has droopy ears and a well-formed body.
• The sows are able to produce many piglets per litter and the boars have very good libido.
• This breed also has a limited gene pool, and sows may suffer from dystocia.

The Duroc

• The Duroc originated in the States and has a reddish body.
• The ears of this breed are droopy, it has slightly longer legs, a strong bone structure and a well-formed musculature.
• These pigs show very good growth, with good quality marbling.
• The sows have poor mothering ability and this breed is prone to warts.