For Breeders-Butchers-Chefs

The Mangalitsa Breed

Old Lard breed from 1833

Breedstandards & Phenotype

AMERICAN MANGALITSA

- Breed Standards -

1833 - 2019

THE MANGALITSA AN OLD LARD BREED

The Mangalitsa pig is an old lard type breed of medium body size. It is distinguished by its rich and curly coat which is most prominent during the colder season. The 3 basic breed colorations are:

Blonde, Red and Swallow Belly (black with a white belly). A combination of these 3 colors yields a wide variety of colors, but they all should have the typical Mangalitsa breed characteristics in common.

Only pure breed Mangalitsa are allowed to enter the register. Breed crosses should not be called, sold nor labeled as Mangalitsa, but clearly marked as Mangalitsa crosses.

Breed characteristics

The Mangalitsa has a short, deep body with a fine but very strong skeleton/bone structure
The back is straight, or slightly curved. The groin (ham) is flat, not rounded as it is with meat breeds

The head is medium long, the ears are large and tip forward at older age. The ears are 2/3 of the length of the nose and form a straight line with the snout

Ears of the piglets are mostly short and often upright

The eyes are brown

The eyelashes, eyebrow, nose, claws, all natural body-openings and the nipples are always black

The root of the tail is characteristically thick and the tip of tail-tassel is also always black

The skin under the fur is greyish-black. Young piglets or animals that are kept inside often show a lighter skin on the belly. When kept outside the skin color should turn darker

The number of nipples is 10 to max 12. Max 6 on each side

On the lower edge of the ear is a bright spot (an inch in diameter), the so-called „Wellmann spot“ which is typical for all Mangalitsa pigs

The piglets of the breed are mostly striped

(Some piglets will not show stripes or only a slight coloration.

The stripes disappear mostly in-between 1 – 12 weeks)

Seasonal molting of the hair in summer is typical for the breed

Loosing hair Red Mangalitsa Jeffrey - Royal Mangalitsa education.jpg

Undesirable traits in the Mangalitsa Breed

Light or pink color of the belly (when older than 16 weeks and kept outside)

Too fine or to rough bristles /hair
Too long, straight hair that is dark colored on the back (Razorback) of the pure blonde color and pure red color Mangalitsa
Too small upright or to large hanging ears of animals older than 12 month
Too flat feet, x shaped front legs and too short front legs

Not allowed traits in the Mangalitsa Breed

Pink spots on the belly, legs, nose
Black or brown spots
Un-pigmented body openings
Yellow or yellow striped claws
Pink nipples
More than 12 nipples
Pure white tails, without the black end tassel
Pink/white eyelashes or eyebrows

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Desired body measurements

As the Mangalitsa breed is a very old breed, it does not show a uniform appearance as modern pig breeds. Because of that, the shape of the ears, snout and body can vary in the phenotype appearance of the breed. The breed is of medium body size.

We will explain more and give examples in the section: Phenotype with pictures in the near future.

FEED

Make sure you provide, for all growing animals as well as your pregnant and lactating sows a feed that provides them with proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. You do not want to slow down an already slow-growing pig like the Mangalitsa. A lard breed needs to have a good % of fat on their body. More about feed & diet will follow on this website in the next few months.

PIGLETS

Newborn piglets have a weight between 1,32 - 2,2 lbs (600 - 1,000 grams), reaching 13,2 – 17,6 lbs (6-8 kg) in 7-8 weeks when on a good diet (16 - 18% protein), they develop more slowly than modern pig species thus it is very important to provide feed for them that fits their needs. Many food like (spent grains) are nothing other than a filler for them. Piglets can't digest these kinds of feed.

BOARS & SOWS

Boars and gilts reach maturity at 12-14 months. BUT, be forewarned that they can reproduce and get pregnant at 4 months. Thus, it is vital that you separate the gilts from all intact males at 14 weeks of age to prevent teenage pregnancy!

Lean Mangalitsa at 12 months weigh 154 – 176 lbs (70 – 80 kg), at age of 24 months 176 – 220 lbs (80 – 100 kg),

Fattened Mangalitsa at 12 months weigh 330 lbs (150 kg), at older age the Mangalitsa can reach a weight of 440 – 661 lbs (200 – 300 kg.)

Reference: Arche Austria - Austrian Mangalitsa Herdbook

Pigs that weigh 330 lbs have an average of 60% fat / 40% meat. When they gain more weight, the % of fat increases up to 70%. The Mangalitsa pig is the best lard producing pig breed there is. This is what made it famous in the early 1900.

Older intact males (boars) of 4 years or older, can easily reach 500 lbs.

Reference: Mangalica an indigenous swine breed from Hungary (Review)

Wither height boars at least: 31,5 – 43,3 inch ( 80 - 110 cm)

Wither height sows at least: 29,1 – 35,4 inch (74 - 90 cm)

Number 1 in the old picture

Body length (behind ear till tail) boar at least: 47,2 inch (120 cm)

Body length (behind ear till tail) sow at least: 45,3 inch (115 cm)

Number 2 in the old picture

Boar weight 330,7 – 485 lbs (150 – 220 kg)

Sow weight 308,6 – 396,8 lbs (140 – 180 kg)

Measurements are from a 3 year old animal. Average size and weight of Mangalitsa that are not extremely fattened up!

Mangalitsa%20Breed%20bodymeasurements%20

PHENOTYPE BREEDING BOARS

Boars with desirable phenotype: Blonde, Swallow Belly & Red Mangalitsa breeding boars with correct legs and feet, good back and belly line. Good body condition, not too fat or too lean.

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PHENOTYPE BREEDING SOWS

Sows with desirable phenotype: Blonde, Swallow Belly & Red Mangalitsa breeding sows with correct legs and feet, good back and belly line. Good body condition, not too fat or too lean.

Phenotype_Mangalitsa_sows_MBOAR_3_colors

Examples of Mangalitsas that are of good phenotype and condition:

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FINAL SELECTION

Desirable body structure in breeding pigs (yellow) and undesirable body structures. Good breed selection is needed when a animal is 12 month or older. Certain body structures appear only when the pig reaches maturity, so the final selection of breeders should be after 18 months of age.

How to determine good and bad feet and leg structures in your pigs. Good selection is very important when animals will be added into your breeding program.

Bodystructure_desirable_and_undesirable_

Phenothype Mangalitsa _ feet & leg (corr

The information above is gathered from the Mangalitsa Breed Organization And Registry - MBOAR.

The Breed

The Mangalitsa breeds are indigenous to the former Austro/Hungarian region as well as to some parts of Serbia and Romania. Their breeding history dates back to about 200–250 years ago. They are lard-type pigs and have beautiful curly hair.

Also is their dark wel marbled meat tender and full of flavor. Their fat is healthy and rich of Omega3 and Omega 6.

M O R E