Pigs to That! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Berkshire

The Berkshire is a mostly black pig, with a few white markings. It is a rare breed and is considered to be endangered because of the lack of breeding sows available. By 2008, for example, there were only 300 Berkshire sows left in the world. So popular is this breed that it features strongly in several popular novels of the last century.

These are the Empress of Blandings who appears in P.G. Wodehouse's delightful series of works, Pig-Wig who appears in Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Pigling Bland" (1913) and George Orwell's starring pig, Napoleon, who takes centre stage in his 1945 book, "Animal Farm".

Answer: British Saddleback

The British saddleback is so named because of its unique colouring. It is an all black pig except for its white trotters, the tip of its tail, and a wide strip of white crossing its shoulders and forelegs, making it look as thought it is indeed wearing a saddle - or a combination of shawl and jodhpurs.

The saddleback sow is very maternal, and both sow and boar are described as having a serene spirit. That would be rather an asset considering their ultimate destiny.

Answer: Danish Landrace

The Danish landrace is described as medium-sized, with white colouring, long bodies, long snouts and long, drooping ears. I think I'm starting to look like one. They were established in Denmark in 1896, where they are still bred today, so the research states, for pork production. Well, naturally. One would hardly think they were bred for their wool.

Answer: Forest Mountain

The Armenian forest mountain pig has a sorry tale to tell. This extremely rare pig is now so endangered that it is in dire danger of dying out. How sad. Putting it delicately, demand has almost exceeded production. We really have to stop this merciless extermination of the animals on our beautiful planet.

Answer: Hampshire

The Hampshire pig is similar to the saddleback in colouring, but not quite so startling. Originating in England, it crossed the Atlantic and is the oldest pig breed there today. Who knows, it could have even sailed across on the Mayflower, complete with bonnet and all, to become the first pilgrim piggy-wiggy in the States. Hampshire pigs are rapid growing animals and have a nature that is described, comically, as sunny and good-tempered. I guess that means it oinks with a lilt.

Answer: Hereford

The USA Hereford pig even has the same colouring as the cattle of the same name. That means it is red, with a white face, delightfully curled tail and alluringly drooped ears. Not that the cow has a delightfully curled tail of course. The very idea. It wouldn't be able to flick away flies.

This pig was bred in the States in 1920 for its performance and colouring. Performance? "The Marriage of Pigaro" perhaps.

Answer: Iberian

Native to the Iberian Peninsula, the Iberian pig's ancestry can be traced right back to the Neolithic age when the domestication of animals first began. This caveman pig's flesh is said to have its unique flavour because of its ready access to, and appetite for, acorns and cork bark. Our little caveman grunter has a tendency to be fat - how can they tell - and there is no truth at all to the rumour that before mating, it dongs its prospective mate on the head with a club.

Answer: Juliana

A Juliana is a miniature pig, raised for the most part as a family pet, and becoming increasingly so ever since it was announced that Paris Hilton owned one. That's a recommendation? Juliana is a demanding little pig who becomes very attached to her owner, but if not trained properly, can become naughty. Sadly though, people who buy these little pigs on the spur of the moment, squealing in delight at how delightful it would be to own one, often give them up because they can't be bothered caring for them.

The little animals, missing their owners, are subsequently put down. In 2009 alone, some 300,000 Julianas were "surrendered" to animal shelters. What a quaint way of saying the helpless little creatures were abandoned by the heartless pigs who owned them.

Answer: Poland China

The Poland China's heritage, quite at odds with its name, was first bred in the United States. This is a huge animal with the largest one on record, Big Bill, weighing a massive 2,550 lbs. Oh my goodness, think of the end products he would have become! Originating in Blue Ball, Ohio, such was the popularity and money earning ability of the Poland China, that a monument now stands to one opposite the town's shopping mall. Hopefully not outside the butcher's window.

The Poland China was eventually introduced into China itself, but it has never been particularly successful there for its meat production.

Instead, the Chinese are more interested, because of the pig's size, in its ability to produce fertilizer. How embarrassing. A hard-working pig emigrates to China, prepared to give his all for mankind - but all they want him to do is poop.

Answer: Vietnamese Potbelly

One doesn't like to insult a pig, no matter what he does, but these fellows are rather unappealing in appearance, as pigs go. In fact, they look a little like hippos with snouts. Both boar and sow are also said to be rather aggressive. Many are spayed or neutered at a young age because they are not very large when fully grown, and therefore not particularly valuable as breeding stock. Gulp, that means then that there's just one destiny for this little fellow. Breakfast.

They say that a meal of bacon and eggs is a day's work for the hen - but a lifetime sacrifice for the pig. How true that is. Bon appetit.