Directly descended from the wild boar, and also spelled alternatively the Mangalitza or Mangalica, the Mangalitsa is a rare breed of pig that was originally bred for its lard. Unlike other pigs, the Mangalitsa grows a hairy “fleece” that has drawn comparisons to that of sheep. Developed in the late nineteenth century in Hungary when the Hungarian pig was crossed with the countries wild boar to create a “fat” pig that didn’t require a lot of hands-on care, the fleeced porker quickly became one of the most popular pig breeds in that region of Europe. Later, they fell out of favor and became more of a hobby breed when other fat sources became available through improved import practices.

Thanks to their woolly coats, the Mangalitsa can live outdoors all year long, surviving off of a diet that primarily consists pumpkins and potatoes that are provided by their thoughtful farmers. The primary product produced from their slaughter is sausage, and they’re usually sent to slaughter at about 1 year old, or kept as a farm attraction by their owner. As the pig continues to age, the fat content of the meat for use in food products increases and is considered excessive for some markets. Somehow people have found many uses for pig lard.

There are three main varieties but the only differences is their color. Most of the world’s population lives in Hungary, but their are populations that exist England and the United States. The Mangalitsa pig isn’t the most popular pig breed in the world, but so long as people keep wanting to have furry pigs on their farms and enjoy their sausage, they will keep thriving.