Mangalitsa Hogs: Breed Profile

The Mangalitsa, spelled Mangalica in Hungary, is a woolly pig with a curly coat, a stout body and a thick layer of fat. It looks like a cross between a hog and a sheep, and it has earned a reputation among chefs and charcuterie makers.

History

Auburn University describes the breed as emerging in Eastern Europe in the mid-nineteenth century from wild boars and lard-type pigs. The Hungarian name is often translated as "hog with lots of lard." After World War II, demand moved to lean pork and faster-growing breeds, and Mangalitsa numbers fell. The breed was later revived by farmers and restaurants that valued its fat and flavor.

Purpose

Mangalitsa pigs are raised for fat and flavor. Auburn reports that a mature carcass can be about seventy percent fat, with fatback roughly three times as thick as in leaner breeds. The meat and fat are used for cured hams, salumi and lard. Our sister site Mangalitsa.org explains raising, cooking and selling the breed in detail.

Where the breed stands today

The breed is rare in the United States compared with commercial breeds, though interest has grown. Registries and breed associations keep records, and small farms sell breeding stock and meat direct to customers. Check with a breed association or the Livestock Conservancy for current counts and status.

Showing Mangalitsas at 4-H and FFA

Pros

• A great story. The breed's history, curly coat and fat make for memorable record books and presentations.
• Showmanship fit. Showmanship classes judge the handler, so the breed can compete on equal footing.
• Conservation value. Raising a rare breed supports genetic diversity.
• Direct-sale potential. Meat and breeding stock can be sold privately.
• Hardy and calm. The breed is often described as hardy and docile, though individuals vary.

Cons

• Market class eligibility. Many county shows and sales use lean-hog standards and may not accept or reward the breed. Some heritage pigs are barred from county auctions.
• Slow growth. The breed grows more slowly, which can make age and weight limits hard to meet.
• Few classes. Most shows have no Mangalitsa class, so you may enter a general or heritage class.
• Cost and availability. Breeding stock is expensive and hard to find.
• Unfamiliar to judges. You may need to explain the breed.

What to look for in a Mangalitsa project animal

Look for the breed's curly coat, a compact body, sound legs and a calm temperament. Mangalitsas come in several varieties, including blonde, swallow-bellied and red, so confirm which you are buying and which your registry recognizes. Choose an animal with good feet, a straight back and a clear eye, and ask how fast she has grown, because slow growth is normal for the breed.

Questions to ask a breeder

• Is the pig registered, and with which association?
• What variety is she, and how are her parents?
• How was she raised, and what has she eaten?
• Does my show accept her in showmanship, a heritage class or a market class?
• Will the breeder help me document the breed story?

Because few breeders raise the breed, expect to travel and to plan ahead.

Bottom line

A Mangalitsa is a strong choice for showmanship, record books and education, and a poor choice for a market hog at the premium sale. Ask the fair office about eligibility before you buy.

Our Premium Sale Basics page explains the questions to ask. Find feed, fencing and vets at agriculture.directory, and for a farm humor break, read farm.fm's Hogs Launch Campaign to Rebrand as Gourmet Connoisseurs.