Boris the Sheep-Pig
Is he a pig or a sheep? He IS a pig — just not as we know it. With a touch of the exotic, Boris bears an undeniable resemblance to a sheep from the shoulders down, and a head that distinctly looks a lot like a pig — minus the hair. He is the first Lincolnshire Curly Coat pig in Britain for 37 years.
Boris the sheep-pig / Curly Coat pig. Photo Metro
Tony York hopes Boris will be a resurgence for the Lincolnshire Curly Coat pig — often known as the sheep-pig — a breed which became extinct in the UK 37 years ago.
The ‘Curly Coats’ — famed for their hardiness due to their wooly and well insulated coat — were exported to Hungary during the early 20th century, where their coat helped them survive harsh winters. The Hungarians then cross-bred it with the Mangalitza, a similar breed, to produce a cross pig called the ‘Lincolista’.
Photo Daily Mail
Tony York found them thriving in Austria and brought 17 of the sub-breed — Red and Blonde Mangalitzas and Swallow Bellied Boars — back to his Pigs Paradise farm near Stonehenge in Wiltshire, driving a trailer 2,400 miles across Europe to transport them back to Britain.
Up to now it hadn’t been possible. Numbers were very low in Hungary and Austria, export and import restrictions made for tremendous difficulties, prices were extremely high and transportation costs even higher. But forging through deep snow and sub-zero temperatures, Tony York achieved his goal.
“It was a mammoth task.” said Tony York. “It was no good acquiring just 1 or 2. We drove hundreds of miles from farm to farm in an attempt to round up enough unrelated stock to build a good herd.”
Young Red Mangalitza Gilt. Photo Pig Paradise Farm
A Swallow Bellied Mangalitza Boar. Photo Pig Paradise Farm
2 Young Blonde Mangalitza Gilts. Photo Pig Paradise Farm
The British Pig Association has agreed to register them as direct descendants of the Lincolnshire Curly Coat, securing the link with UK farming heritage.
“It’s like a dream come true that the Curly Coat genes live on.” said Tony. “They might be Austro-Hungarian in origin, but they do offer a glimpse of our farming past — and one of our more unusual domestic farm breeds.
“As for Boris, he is very loveable. We called him that because he shares the same hairstyle as Mr. Johnson [the Tory MP and London mayoral candidate] and he’s very interested in the ladies.”
Tony recalls the day in 1971, when the last known pair of Lincolnshire Curly Coats were sent for slaughter.
“It was a tragedy.” he said. “The market was for faster maturing breeds and that was that for the Curly Coats.”
Hair from the Curly Coats is popular in the US for its ability to retain air bubbles under water which is idyllic for tying fishing flies.
Sources: Daily Mail, Metro and Paradise Pig Farm
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Very interesting, long haired pretty pigs!
I wonder if they would be more profitable being raised for pork or to be sold as pets!
They do seem to get seriously large. I guess the problem (with raising them for pork) was that they had to feed them longer to get the same amount of pork.
still they are very unique! James
wonderful pics Deborah
and thay really are pretty pigs !!!
very attractive hair colouring too
I adore Boris’s … a naturally “blonde” pig..
wow!
have a great New Year :=X Kim
I’m thinking, maybe some Baby Back Ribs tonight….oh and I like Blondes!!
Very interesting !! I have never seen a pig like that in my whole life, didn’t even know that it existed, they really look very cute !
Great idea to sell them as pets James
Yes, it seems that was why they became etinct previously, they didn’t grow as quickly as other when raised for meat. I think they’re too cute to eat!
Haha, yes, a natural blond Kim
Wishing you and your family a great New Year too!!!
Hehe, I wonder if these blondes have more fun Tom
Yes, they’re adorable Gattina
Happy New Year!
When I first read the title of the blod (Boris the Sheep-Pig),
I just had to read on. I had thoughts of some Russian genetics lab grotesquely crossing the breeds to create a genetic monstrosity that would say “Baaaoink” or “Weeebaaa”. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. Perhaps next year. Haahaaa. Happy New Year to all!!!!
Hehe, I can happily say that I’m sorry to have disappointed you on this one, Nitropuppy
Thank you, and Happy New Year to you! May all the best be laid before you.
I AM A Sheep-Pig, literally. Like Ewan McGregor the actor I was born at the end of March 1971. I am Aries the Ram and born in the Chinese year of the Pig. I stumbled across this page accidentally and I think they are adorable, big fluffy behemoths.
Somebody get me one for Christmas, they are LOVELI!