The Lacombe pig is a breed of domestic pig that originated in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. Pigs from this breed are smaller than standard pigs, with a shoulder height of about 17 inches and weighing around 100 pounds. The Lacombe pig is mostly used for meat production and is common in Canada, the United States, and Australia.
The Lacombe pig is a short-legged, short-bodied breed of domestic pig with smooth hair. Typically, the coarse hair has a white or silver-gray color. The ears measure about 4 inches long in males and 4 inches long in females; they also have small knobs or almost no ears at all.
The name “Lacombe” comes from the town of Lacombe in southern Alberta which is the home to most of the original pig stock. These pigs are known for their black backs and white faces with either blue tattoos or a bluish hue on their snouts and shoulders.
Contents
How to identify Lacombe pig
Their hair has a white or silver-gray color with a blue tint or a bluish hue. The ears are rather small, sometimes they are completely absent. Their shoulders and chests are black, with a white band that runs from the neck to the hips. Pigs from this breed have small, erect tusks; these differ in size and shape from that of the other hog breeds.
The feet are short, stocky, and compact. In contrast to the Duroc breed, Lacombe pigs have a tail that is very thin and long. Lacombe Pigs are 15-17 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh from 150-180 pounds.
Pigs from this breed have a thin, long tail that is longer than those of purebred Yorkshire hogs. It has erect tusks, rather than the usually downward-facing tusks; these differ in size and shape from the other hog breeds.
Behavioral characteristics
The Lacombe pig is a very friendly breed that gets along well with other animals and people. They have good mothering skills and are very calm and practical. These pigs will stay calm even when confronted with strangers, and they can be trusted around people’s children.
In addition, the Lacombe pig loves to play by running, jumping, and rolling in the mud, which can be quite messy. Lacombe pigs are very active and playful. They are known to be very intelligent and do well with training if they find it rewarding. The breed is generally calm and quiet. Because of these pigs’ size, Lacombe hogs are good for both pet and show purposes.
Uses
Because of their size, Lacombe pigs are good for both pet and show purposes. In addition, these pigs are also good for breeding purposes: because of their small size and relatively small litter, they should be an ideal breed for first-time pig farmers.
Lacombe pigs are used for meat by the majority of pig farmers. The pork from this breed is highly prized in the U.S., especially in canned pork products. In Canada and Australia, the breed is used mostly for pork production, but also for its high performance in Canadian and Australian shows.
These pigs are listed as a draft breed; they can work hard for up to 10 hours a day. In addition, this breed is used for cross-breeding: to improve the overall performance of other breeds, as well as enable farmers to use more nutritious feed in their operations.
Special Considerations
Because of their size and “smooth” hair, Lacombe pigs should be kept in well-ventilated buildings with plenty of fresh air. They are comparatively susceptible to sunburn, therefore farmers might cover their facilities with shade cloths. Lacombe hogs are slower to mature than some other breeds.
However, they do tend to live longer than most other pig breeds. Pigs from this breed are quiet pigs and will have minimal or no odor. They are not usually very hot-natured, so farmers can take their behavior for granted. However, review the full breed profile of the Lacombe pig in the following table.
Best 10+ information
| Breed Name | Lacombe pig. |
| Breed Purpose | Meat production/meat. |
| Origin | Alberta, Canada. |
| Breed Class, size | Small. |
| Color | White, silver-gray/blue. |
| Breed Temperament | Calm, quiet. |
| Climate Tolerance | Cold. |
| Diet | Grains and forages or grain-based/forages. |
| Rarity | Rare. |
| Lifespan | 10+ years. |
