Once you’ve decided to enter the wonderful world of pig raising, you have an important decision to make:

Which type of pig do you choose?

Though a slightly pink hued, curly tailed piglet is what the common person first thinks of, there’s a much greater variety of swine available.

It will ultimately be up to you to decide which type of pig you want. You should select a breed that is appealing to you but also suits your needs. Some pigs are more prolific for breeding and farrowing large litters, some perform better at show as club pig, and some produce higher carcass yields if you’re raising pigs for profit.

It’s a great idea to attend a few shows and auctions to see some pigs in action. Talk to professional as well and get their advice.

But before you go, here are some of the more common pig types you’ll see. While pigs come in a variety of colors (even stripes and spots), we’ve divided them into lighter and darker colors, as there’s some common characteristics  among pigs in those sets.

White Hogs

White and lighter haired hogs are typically best for those focused on breeding and pig production. These swine demonstrate great mothering traits and produce large litters.

Yorkshire

Yorkshire pigs are great mothers that produce large litters. They produce lots of milk which assists their pigs getting off to a great start. These pigs feature a solid frame with upright ears. Their meat is lean with a great carcass yield.

The Yorkshire pig is arguably the poster-child of swine.

American Landrace

A Landrace is a long bodied white hog. Unlike many other breeds, their back is almost completely flat.

Other notable features include long, narrow heads and large, heavy ears that rest close to their face.

Landrace sows are known to have quality udders that make them great milk producers for their piglets. If you choose a Landrace, make sure it’s all white. Spots and dark areas are not acceptable in the show ring, though freckles are fine.

Chester White

Originating from Chester County, Pennsylvania, these swine are known for their ruggedness and quality carcass. While they have great mothering traits like other white pigs, they also have quality muscle and meat.

That’s why the Chester is popular in pork production.

Dark Breeds

Pigs with darker coats are typically known for their muscle and build quality, making them great for meat as well as shows.

Hampshire

Arguably the original breed of American hogs, these black, white belted pigs are known for their large size. They’re naturally energetic and healthy, producing quality meat.

They also demonstrate strong mothering characteristics, though their litters usually aren’t as big as white sows.

Duroc

Duroc pigs feature a distinct red coating and a quality carcass. They grow quickly, displaying a deep body and broad shoulders once reaching maturity. Additionally, their ears should droop.

Duroc boars are  really great to use in a crossbreeding program with white breeds of sows.

Berkshire

Berkshires are an interesting breed of pig that offer high quality, tender meat as well as positive show traits. Their strong carcasses have made them popular in the show ring and also make them well suited for cross-breeding programs.

However, their litter size are on the smaller side often only averaging 5-6 pigs at farrowing.

Poland China

Known for their distinct black coat with white faces and feet, Poland China pigs are great for food production. They’re capable of reaching a large weight at any age with proper care. They’re also quite docile.

Poland China pigs are one of the most popular breeds in America, and they can produce healthy litter sizes especially in a cross- breeding program. Sows tend to get big and heavy as they get older.

Where to Go From Here

Now that you know more about pig types, it’s time to go out and get some of your own. Of course, purchasing a pig is just the first phase in a much larger journey. To learn all you need to know about swine, make sure to check out my book “Doc Sanders Goes Whole Hog”, available now!