National Pig Breeders Association

Table of content

THE ITALIAN AUTHOCTONOUS BREEDS

Cinta senese

small-medium sized pigs with black coat color and a continuous white belt which include front limbs and trunk at shoulder level. This breed is widespread throughout Tuscany and in Center Italy. The first evidence of the presence of belted animals dates back to 1340.

Mora romagnola

small-medium sized pigs, with a coat reddish-brown until six months of age, and later black with lighter reddish abdomen. A dark skin that along the lumbar region host black bristles forming a sort of mane (“Linea Sparta”) is the other characteristic trait of the breed. The breed is mainly present Emilia Romagna region.

Casertana

small sized pigs with light bones and grey skin. The breed is characterized by the absence of hairs (total or partial) and it could present wattles. The breeding is traditionally linked to the Campania region, where the presence of glabrous pigs, similar to Asian pigs, is already documented as earlier as in Roman times.

Apulo Calabrese

medium sized pigs, with black skin and black hairs particularly, on the back line. This breed has spread with transhumance along all the peninsula and today has the widest geographical spread from Central to South Italy.

Nero siciliano

it dates back to the Carthaginian period and nowadays it can be found mainly on the Nebrodi Mountains in Sicily. Black coat colored, with black skin and black hair.

Sarda

small sized pigs, their coats may present different colors. Distinctive trait of the breed is the “coda cavallina” (tail similar to an horse tail) and a tuft on their rump.

Each authocthonous breed is also know by a number of alternative, local names