Basque pig
The Euskal Txerria or Basque, is a breed of pig native to the Basque Country. What is today called the Basque pig is one of several historical breeds or breed types kept by Basque peoples, and it was consolidated under the name only in the 1920s. Though they were relatively common in the early 20th century, Basque pigs had nearly disappeared by 1981, with fewer than 100 breeding sows left. Today, the breed is preserved by small farmers in the Basque Country who are dedicated to traditional Basque foods. Basque pigs grow more slowly and develop more fat than modern breeds like the Large White, making them less well-suited to intensive commercial meat production, but they are marvelous to make high quality products. Basque sows have smallish litters of about nine young, but have a strong maternal instinct and are good mothers.
| Life Span | 15-20 years |
| Weight | 50-350 kg |
What to Know Before Buying a Basque pig
Finding a responsible Basque pig breeder requires more than browsing classified ads or responding to social media posts. The USDA requires any breeder who sells pigs commercially — especially those selling online or through third-party dealers — to hold a federal license and submit to regular inspections. A legitimate breeder should be willing to provide their USDA license number, invite you to visit their facility, and show you where the animals are housed and socialized.
Before committing to a purchase, ask the breeder for veterinary health records, vaccination documentation, and any genetic testing results relevant to the Basque pig. Reputable breeders will also ask you questions in return — about your living situation, experience with animals, and ability to provide long-term care. A breeder who asks no questions and is eager to ship an animal immediately is a significant red flag.
Use the search tool below to check whether any USDA-licensed facilities breeding Basque pigs appear in our database. If they do, review their inspection history carefully. Look for patterns of violations, pay attention to severity levels, and compare their compliance grade with other breeders in the same state. This due diligence takes minutes and can save you from supporting a facility with documented animal welfare problems.
Looking for a Basque pig breeder?
Search our database of USDA-licensed facilities to find inspected breeders and check their compliance history.
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