Of the Potbellied Pig

-By Richard Magidson of Ross Mill Farm & Piggy Camp

Most of us know that the potbellied pig in America today, can be traced back to Keith Connell's import to the U.S. from Canada (originally for zoos) in the mid-eights. By today's standards they were relatively large (60 to 80 kg), all black, wrinkled, particularly about the head and face and with the other characters we associate with then "breeder", usually refered to as the foundation stock. Keith named them the Con Line.

However, shortly after the original importation, at least two other "breed types" were brought into the U.S., the "Lea Line" imported by Leavitt (gentle disposition, white and black markings, somewhat smaller) and the Royal Line, imported by Espberger (mostly white, somewhat larger then the Lea Line).

In fact, these pigs, Con, Lea and Royal represent most of the foundation stock found in America today.

The diffrent lines provide a larger gene pool to work with, give us a healthier breed type and enable breeders to develop more desirable characteristics (size, disposition, color, conformation, etc.) better suited for fomesticated companion House Pets.

The question is ... Why is there such a wide variety of breed types in the first place ? To answer the question, we must first understand the origin of the species

TAXONOMY - The potbellied pig is a direct descendent of the old world pig family: Order (Artiodactyla), Suborder (Suina), Family (Suidae), Fenus (Sus Scrofa) the wild boar.

RANGE - Spread across Eurasia, for over 40,000 years, they range from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast, and from the Mediterranean to as far North as the fring of Siberia. The variety of habitat combined with the adaptability of this omnivorous (but mostly vegetarian) mammal has produced a wide variety of species which share many common traits (nesting, hair, spiked ears, etc.).

POTBELLIED PIGS - The potbellied pig we share our, homes and lives with, i sgenerally associated with South East Asia an d, in particular Vietnam. It is technically no a breed ("a group of animals that have been selected by man to possess a uniform spperance that is inheritable and distinguishes it from other groups of animals within then same species"), but a "local type" (generally indigenous to and area). The variety we see in America today is probably the results of the cross-breeding of four "local types" of Vietnamese pigs. They share common characteristics (pointed ears, sway back, straight tail, pot belly, size and gentle disposition) and originate if diffrent parts of Vietnam.

NORTH VIETNAM - The i (the shortest breed type name in the world) is found in the West near the Red River Delta. It is the type most common in Vietname and the pig known as the Vietnamese potbellied pig...the original "Con Line". A larger pig (up to 90 kg) but still very small compared with domestic pigs. Its black shik is wrinkled, particularly about the head with a dished face, narrow forehead and small upright ears.

THE MONG CAI - is found in the Northeast near the Chinese border and Gulf of Tongkine. It is slightly larger then the "i" (100 kg) with more hair, white with blcak head, white snout (sometimes a white star) and black patches elseware on the body (sometimes with saddle markings). This general appearance is associated with the "Lea Line".

CENTERAL VIETNAM - The "co" is a very small (up to 40 kg) pig. Originally wide-spread in central Vietnam, it is now restricted to the high plateau region. With a cubby body type (short) and more of a slope than sway to its back, it is obvous that this breed type has greatly influenced our "American" potbellied pigs.

SOUTH VIETNAM - The "Heo Moi" sometimes refered to as the Vietnamese primitive, originally roamed the mountain area on the South. Also very small (40-45 kg), they were sway backed with hanging stomachs and a longer snout. Today, mainly in the rich Mekong delat, they have been bred to be larger (60 kg) but still possess veracity and many characteristics of their free range mountain kin. Here too we see many of their traits in our American "breed types."

WHAT TO LOOK FOR - When looking for a pet, of going to a show, or just enjoying your own pet pig, see if you cab spot the unique characteristics of the i, Mong Cai, Co and Heo Moi breed types. Our judges are looking for a blending of many traits. All of us are looking for healthy happy pets.

 

FOREPAUGH@aol.com