List of Domestic Pig Breeds

Pig farmers in the United States typically breed with eight major swine breeds. These include three white breeds and five dark ones. Farmers favor certain breeds for their ability to produce offspring with substantial lean meat, or choose others for their reproductive, mothering and breeding capabilities. Each pig breed has its own unique characteristics, but individual specimens from any of the different types should be selected according to how alert and healthy they are.

  1. Dark-Colored Breeds

    • The Berkshire is a dark pig that possesses white legs, tail, ears and snout. This breed can be housed in enclosed facilities and is known for its siring ability. Hampshire pigs have a white band which runs from one front limb to the other. This hog, which is noted for its hearty, but lean meat, is also dark in color. The reddish colored Duroc breed is known for its ability to convert feed into muscle and for its high growth rate. The Poland China produces meaty carcasses, while the Spot produces piglets which develop quickly.

    Light-Colored Breeds

    • Yorkshire sows are attentive mothers and produce sizable litters. It is no surprise then that this swine type represents the most popular pig breed in North America. The Chester White also produces big litters and nurses its piglets well. The boars, or males, of this breed tend to be aggressive. Landrace sows wean more piglets than any other breed and have the best after-weaning piglet survival rate.

    Lesser Known Breeds

    • Only three of the traditional lard breeds are widely raised in the United States today: the Guinea Hog, Choctaw and Mulefoot. Guinea hogs are believed to have descended from a red-colored pig called the Red Guineas, which were brought to America by slave traders, while the Choctaw hogs arrived in America with Spanish settlers and explorers. The Mulefoot is a large dark pig breed, which possesses a solid hoof, like that of a mule. Although the Mulefoot population is limited, this breed is being reared across the States, in an attempt to re-establish it.

    Rare Breeds

    • The Ossabaw Island breed arrived from Spain to the US more than 400 years ago. This is a small breed of swine, with an elongated snout and heavy coat. There is a small breeding population of 200 animals in the United States and the breed is classified as critical by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.