There were at least 14+ different pure breeds of miniature pigs. Some are commonly recognized today, but the majority are considered rare or extinct. Listed below are some of those pure breeds, but there are also many mixed breed pigs in the pet pig world who’s ancestry may never be know. Pigs of pure and mix breeds come in many heights, shapes and sizes. The goal of the AMPA is to begin a registry for today’s American Mini Pigs so that we may document and record their history from this time forward. Tracking parentage, size, ownership, and eventually genetics in order to improve and produce the best quality pets.
American Mini Pig
Mulefoot Hog Breed
Ossabaw Island Hog
American Guinea Hog Breed Standard
KuneKune Breed
Meishan Breed
Juliana Breed
Yucatan Breed
Pot-Bellied Pig
Gottengin Mini
Hanford Mini Swine
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American Mini Pig
The American Mini Pig is a breed that has been developed over the years by combining a variety of breeds from around the world. Health and temperament are the most important aspects of the breed since American Mini Pigs have been developed for the sole purpose of being raised as pets/companions. A compact, sturdy size of 15-20 inches gives the American Mini Pig a smaller stature than other breeds, that is suitable for indoor/outdoor homes. The perfect size for a pet pig. Weight varies based on the body condition of the pig, with focus on a healthy, robust, athletic build where the pig is able to move and run freely with clear vision. Due to the variety of breeds that contribute to the genetics of the American Mini Pig, this breed is one of the most varied in color and markings. SIZE: Measuring 15-20 inches at top of shoulders at maturity of 5 years old. BODY CONDITION: The overall weight of the American Mini Pig should fit its stature as such that the pig is comfortable and able to run and move freely. HEAD: Proportional to body. Eyes should be open with vision unobstructed. Forehead slopes to snouts of varying length. Mouth and teeth should be healthy, proportional, and free of defect. EARS: Ears should be erect and relatively small. NECK: Neck should be proportionate to the body without excessive jowls or rolls of fat. BODY: Body should be compact and well balanced. A strong, athletic build. BACK: Back should be straight without a prominent sway. TAIL: Tail should be natural, straight, with a tassel at the end. LEGS & FEET: Strong, proportionate, straight, well set legs. Toes should be even and forward facing. HAIR: Healthy, coarse hair that changes length and thickness with seasons. COLOR: American Mini Pigs exhibit any variety of colors and markings including but not limited to solid, spots, stripes as an immature color, and agouti as a mature color. SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS: Females should have atleast 12 evenly spaced teats. Males should have two evenly sized, palpable testicles set in the scrotum. TEMPERAMENT: Even temperament, friendly disposition, intelligent and highly trainable. DISQUALIFICATION FROM BREEDING STOCK or UNDESIRABLE TRAITS: Cryptorchidism, hernia, atresia ani, entropian, wattles, mule foot, heavy wrinkling, swayed back, severe over or under bite that affects ability to eat. Look for an AMPA registered breeder that has history of lineage. ampabreeders.com -
Mulefoot Hog Breed
Head small In proportion to size of body with great width between eyes; face straight or dished. -
Ossabaw Island Hog
The Ossabaw Island Hog is a breed of pig derived from a population of feral pigs on Ossabaw Island, Georgia, United States. The original Ossabaw Hogs are descended from swine released on the island in the 16th century by Spanish explorers. A breeding population has been established on American farms off the island, but they remain a critically endangered variety of pig. -
American Guinea Hog Breed Standard
The American Guinea Hog is a true American heritage breed of domestic farm pig, perhaps over 200 years old. They developed as a landrace breed throughout the southeastern states of the USA. Anecdotal evidence suggests a European ancestry with other possible influences. It has been determined though genetic testing that the American Guinea Hog is a distinct breed. -
KuneKune Breed
The vision should be unobstructed, except by possible forward inclined ears The snout, mouth, and teeth should be suitable for foraging and grazing The overall weight of the pig should be such that it is comfortable and able to run. The goal would be to have a pig that is healthy over all other things. -
Meishan Breed
Meishan, pronounced “May Shan”. Named for the Chinese prefecture of Meishan a region of lakes and valleys in China. They are part of a sub-group of pigs called Taihu pigs. They originate from the Taihu valley, of Lower Changjiang River Basin. They are a small to medium-sized breed. They are one of the oldest domesticated breeds of Asiatic swine. In the late 1980’s three labs imported Meishan pigs to the U.S. Two of those labs (Iowa State and USDA) were breeding them due to their prolific litter sizes and early sexual maturity. Due to their slower growth rates and abundance of fat they shut down the breeding programs. That meant that the breed could go extinct in the USA. But a few people and zoo's wanted to raise them, in order to keep the genetics available in the USA for future use as well as for the public’s viewing. All Meishan that are in the USA are descendants of these left over research pigs. -
Juliana Breed
The Juliana is a small, colorfully spotted pig. It more closely resembles a small version of a large hog or feral pig than it does the Pot Belly Pig. It should be lean, longer legged, and athletic in appearance. The Juliana should never be pudgy, heavily wrinkled, or sluggish in appearance. The Juliana breed will average 15-22 inches in height by maturity, 5 years old. The adult weight can be 75-150 pounds or more. The Juliana breed may be most misrepresented on the internet. Searches will offer that the breed stays smaller than an average miniature pig which is not proven to be true. There are no Juliana pigs under 75-150 pounds. Many average heavier than 150 by maturity of 5 years or older. Juliana have longer legs, lean bodies, a medium to long snout. Light sway or no curve to back. Their eyes should not be obstructed. No low hanging bellies. Juliana are also called the painted pigs and they are always heavily spotted. Look for an AMPA registered breeder that has history of lineage. ampabreeders.com -
Yucatan Breed
Vision should be unobstructed. The overall weight of the pig should be such that it is comfortable and able to run and move freely. -
Pot-Bellied Pig
The first thing you should know about pot-bellied pigs is that they are not a single specific breed. The pot-bellied pig, also known as the Chinese, Asian, or Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig, is a domesticated “breed” of pig that originates from the Southeast Eurasian continent. It has 15 local “breed types” that make up the Pot-bellied pig “breed”, that can only be found in the mountainous regions of Vietnam, China, and Thailand. Many of these “local breed type” pot- bellies can now be found all around the world. While these local types do share -
Gottengin Mini
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Hanford Mini Swine