Category:Italian Landrace Hog

The Italian Landrace Hog has become dominant as an improved breed in Italy. They have the large drooped ears and white coat that characterizes the appearance of Landrace strains.

The original stock was brought to Italy from Scandinavian sources, but selection has been toward meat characteristics and away from extremes for the best in bacon production. One can always find selection within a breed to be directed more toward the requirements of the host country, and Italians do not put the emphasis on bacon that is placed there by northern Europeans.

Italian Landrace have been effective in improving the productivity and quality of swine in Italy as they have bred with other breeds and the local swine. Swine producers everywhere appreciate the Landrace's increased litter size, milk production, and ability to mother large litters to weaning. The fact that boars of the breed impart these characteristics to crossbred daughters have made them valued for improving swine of Italy for home consumption and for the rather limited markets abroad. Fortunately for swine producers around the world, there is considerable divergence among the Landrace strains from which they can and do draw.