Are you looking for a new pet? Maybe the perfect new farmland animal that excites the kids and makes you giggle? Starting out with buying animals may be difficult but overall rewarding.
Below is the top list of over 10 different pig breeds that are perfect for beginners. Whether you are looking to produce meat, or have a new friend on the farm, you are sure to find the right breed for you!
The pigs listed below are known to be small, more gentle and have cheaper prices due to their sizing and uses. Enjoy!
| Pig breed | Origin | Price range |
| Landrace Pig | Denmark | $60-$100 |
| Hampshire Pig | England | $300-$600 |
| Hereford Pig | Iowa | $100-$150 |
| Tamworth Pig | England | $800-$1,200 |
| Duroc Pig | Africa | $50-$200 |
| Chester White Pig | Pennsylvania | $350-$800 |
| American Yorkshire Pig | England | $250-$600 |
| Berkshire Pig | England | $150-$300 |
| Mulefoot Pig | Unknown (Europe/Asia) | $250-$300 |
| Middle White Pig | Yorkshire, England | $100-$300 |
| Kunekune Pig | New Zealand | $850-$1,200 |
Landrace Pig
The Landrace Pig originates in Denmark but is now found across the UK including places such as Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands.
These pigs are often used for their breeding abilities as they are of larger descent and may therefore have an easier time carrying their birth weight comfortably.
Oftentimes these pigs may weigh anywhere from 400-600 pounds and may be as tall as 2-3 feet. The Landrace Pig is perfect for beginners as they are high in fat and body mass making them good for breeding and in some cases even for eating.
The Landrace Pig may cost anywhere from around $60-$100 dollars depending on age, gender, and bloodline.
Hampshire Pig
The Hampshire Pig originated in England but is now found across the world. These pigs are commonly used in their production of meat, due to their high body fat and portly bodies they are good in the use of meat production.
These pigs may weigh anywhere between 500-650 pounds depending on activity level, as well as gender.
These pigs are known to be a bright black with strips of whitish pink on the belly. These pigs are great for beginners as they are calm and laid back and with proper nurturing can become very tame as they age.
The average cost for the Hampshire Pig is around $300-$600 dollars depending on age, gender, and breeder.
Hereford Pig
The Hereford Pig originated in Iowa. These pigs may now be found across the United States and in some countries. These pigs are known for their physical attributes of stout bodies with light pink fur coloring and spots of light brown.
The Hereford Pig may weigh around 200-250 pounds depending on activity level, diet, and gender. These pigs are very attentive and make excellent mothers. They are small and stout but are very caring and cooperative. They are great at producing meat and breeding.
When looking to buy the Hereford Pig, one can expect an average price range of around $100-$150 dollars depending on the seller, age, and gender.
Tamworth Pig
The Tamworth Pig originated in England. These pigs are one of the oldest domesticated pigs in the world and are very popular among farms across the world. The Tamworth Pig is commonly used for their meat production and is often referred to as the “bacon breed”.
These pigs may weigh anywhere between 500-650 pounds depending on age, gender, diet, and activity level. When looking to buy the Tamworth Pig, one can expect an average price range of $800-$1200 depending on the breeder, gender and age.
These pigs tend to be more expensive than other breeds because they are exclusively used for premium bacon production and are in higher demand.
Duroc Pig
The Duroc Pig fist originated in Africa but was soon brought to New England around the 1800s. These pigs are now found across the world and more commonly in parts of the UK. The Duroc Pig is known for its ability to produce high amounts of meat.
Due to their stout and portly bodies they are good for meat production and are easy to take care of due to their kind personalities and gentle nature.
These pigs weigh 550 to 600 pounds depending on activity level, gender, and age. The Duroc Pig may cost $50 to $200 dollars and above, this depends on the breeder, age, and gender.
Chester White Pig
The Chester White Pig originated in Pennsylvania, and was formerly known as the Chester Country White Pig. These pigs are usually used for cross breeding as well as operations in meat production.
The Chester White Pig has distinctive characteristics of stout bodies and brightly pinkish colored pigment. They may weigh 500-600 pounds depending on age, gender, and activity level.
When looking to buy the Chester White Pig, you can expect a price range of $350-$800 dollars depending on the breeder, age, and gender.
American Yorkshire Pig
The American Yorkshire Pig originated in England. Their breed is known to be a mix between both the Well-fleshed Yorkshire Pig and the Chinese Pig with smaller and fatter bodies. These pigs can now be found across the United States and are great for producing meat.
These pigs are good for beginners as they are small with commonly better bodies for more meat production and great on farms as they are kind and laid back.
The American Yorkshire Pig may weigh 500-700 pounds. When looking to buy the American Yorkshire Pig, one can expect an average price range of $250-$600 dollars depending on the breeder, age, and gender.
Berkshire Pig
The Berkshire Pig originated from England around the 19th Century. These pigs are found across the world and are used for meat production and may even be good on farms as well as breeding with other pigs.
This pig is well liked worldwide due to their various colors, stout body and slow tempered personalities.
The Berkshire Pig may weigh 180-200 pounds depending on age, gender, activity level, and diet. When looking to buy the Berkshire Pig, one may expect an average price range of $150-$300 dollars depending on the seller, breeder, gender, and age.
Mulefoot Pig
The Mulefoot Pig has an unknown origin but is said to be found around areas of Europe and/or Asia originally, these pigs are thought to have been brought from the Spanish in the 1500s to the Americas.
Today these pigs are found across the world. The Mulefoot Pig is used for their production of meat. These pigs tend to be lean and portly with a dark brownish-black color.
They can weigh 550-600 pounds, the compact bodies make them perfect for farms and great for their meat use.
When looking to buy the Mulefoot Pig, one can expect a price range of $250-$300 dollars depending on the breeder, age, and gender.
Middle White Pig
The Middle White Pig originates from Yorkshire, England. These pigs are known for their meat production as well as breeding abilities. The Middle White Pig can weigh 200-300 pounds depending on activity level, diet, gender, and age.
The Middle White Pig is known to be gentle and cooperative and is good for beginners on farms. They are commonly a bright pink but may have some spots or patterns of color. These pigs are found across the world today.
When looking to buy the Middle White Pig, one can expect an average price range of $100-$300 dollars depending on the breeder, age, and gender.
Kunekune Pig
The Kunekune Pig originates from New Zealand. These pigs were commonly kept in small communities until their breed extended towards European areas. Today these pigs are found across the UK but can be found in some parts of the United States.
In addition, these pigs may be used for their lean meat and in some cases, their lard which is used for a variety of things such as baking and cooking. This pig can weigh anywhere between 80 and 200 pounds.
When looking to buy the Kunekune Pig, you can expect a price range of $850-$1200 dollars depending on breeder, gender, and age.
Sources
- https://rurallivingtoday.com/livestock/pig-breeds/
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/Landrace
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/Hampshire-breed-of-pig
- https://northernnester.com/hampshire-pigs/
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/Yorkshire-breed-of-pig
- https://northernnester.com/yorkshire-pigs/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duroc_pig
- https://northernnester.com/yorkshire-pigs/
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/Berkshire-pig
- http://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/middlewhite/index.html/
- https://www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/heritage/internal/mulefoot
- https://www.roysfarm.com/mulefoot-pig/
- http://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/kunekune/index.html/
- https://kidszoo.org/our-animals/kune-kune-pig/
- https://www.whitesulphurfarms.com/tamworth-pigs/
- https://www.thepigsite.com/breeds/chester-white