Kunekune (pronounced
coo-nee coo-nee) are a rare New Zealand pig, becoming almost extinct in the
1970s before work was commenced to save the breed. They were developed by Maori from pigs that
were thought to have been introduced by whalers in the early 1800s, possibly
originating from Asia, South America, and/or Polynesia.
The Maori
named these short-legged short-snouted small pigs “kunekune”, meaning “fat and
round” as that is their predominant feature – their love of food causes them to
become quite rotund and they carry a very deep layer of fat (useful to Maori as
it was used to preserve food).
Coat colour
and texture can vary considerably.
Colours can range from black, brown, golden or cream, sometimes with
random patches of another colour. Hair
texture can range from short and silky to long coarse curls, and extensive hair
loss is common during the summer months.
Kunekune
are typically a very sociable placid pig and, although they are still
occasionally used for meat, their prime use today is as a pet. They are intelligent and affectionate, and I
have even met one who was house trained!
These two
pigs pictured here belonged to my nephew, and were being kept as pets on their
small holding. I found them placid and friendly,
and very amenable to a good back scratch 😊
Margaret.
LINKING UP WITH EILEEN AT Saturday's Critters
Hello,
ReplyDeleteYour nephew has cute pigs. Kunekune, that is a neat name for the breed. They are fat and round and adorable. Great critters and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day! Wishing you a happy new week! PS, thanks for leaving me a comment.
Very sweet pets and thank you for this text,interesting and good text about animals,greetings from anna
ReplyDeleteThey look like a cross between a pig and a dog.
ReplyDeleteYes, intelligent pals. I met some ("boring" European ones) and they were nice - as in friendly (I also...).
ReplyDeleteBut aren´t they all? Cows can be cute, sheep as well. And so on!
Such long hair compared to pigs we see here. Beautiful creatures. Thanks for introducing them, Margaret.
ReplyDeleteI can think of a few people I know who would fit the description in your last sentence.
ReplyDeleteAdorable!
ReplyDeleteGlad they are mostly pets, these days.
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
😹 Humans keep some weird pets don't they Mittens? Mind you i suppose us kkeping these human pets is a bit weird too. The cats that live on the beach across the road don't keep human pets, they just use the humans to deliver and serve their takeaway orders. xxx Mr T
ReplyDeleteHi Tigger. I like my human pets, they give me cuddles as well as food and somewhere to sleep out of the rain. Purrs, Mittens 😻
DeleteThey sure look different...
ReplyDeleteI have a granddaughter who would just love to have one for a pet!!
ReplyDeleteThey are so cute.
ReplyDeleteBrings back memories of seeing these on a farm (paid for the privilege) in the Bay early 2000s . Our grandkids loved them, and all the animals there
ReplyDeleteThey are rather cute! They almost look like a dog.
ReplyDeleteThey are really cute, I'd have them as pets! :)
ReplyDeleteThey are such cute friendly pigs, a couple I use to go to church with use to breed them.
ReplyDeleteI used to live where a man took his kunekune pig for a walk everyday, on a leash. It was fully grown - so it was big. They are so lovely. My son has one who really is "one of the family", and is the apple of their eye. Goes for walks with him on the farm. So cute.
ReplyDeleteInteresting history on the New Zealand pig. Haven't been around pigs, but I hear some make very good pets.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun pets!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for sharing these photographs and the history about these pigs.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan