About Kunekune Pigs

Until recently, purebred Kunekunes were in serious danger of becoming extinct in New Zealand. But in 1978, two wildlife park owners, Michael Willis and John Simster, bought 6 sows and 3 boars from all over New Zealand. Spreading the breed throughout the country, and later on, the world, helped to keep up the numbers of Kunekunes and ensure this breed would not go extinct again. In 1989, the New Zealand Kune Kune Breeders' Association was founded to preserve this fantastic breed of pig.

Despite years of intensive research by historians and biologists, no one really knows where the Kunekune pig originated. It is widely assumed the breed was originally from China, because the Polish pigs still found there today have the similar chin tassels of the Kunekune. However, the matter is still under debate.

The appearance of the Kune is almost like a character in a cartoon. They are covered with hair not bristles like other pig breeds. This hair can be straight or curly and either long or short. The color can include black, ginger, brown, cream, black and white, or any combination of the previously mentioned colors. These colors can also have wild patterns on the pig. Kunes should have a medium to short nose that seems to turn up as they age. The ears can be upright or semi-lopped but never a floppy ear. Wattles are another unique feature, which a pig can have two, one, or none. A pig can be born with two wattles then lose a wattle or two during a fight or perhaps one wasn’t attached well at birth. A Kune is considered a small pig when compared to a market hog. The average height is 24 inches and they can weigh up to 250 lbs naturally.

Intact boars will weigh much more than sows and barrows.