Kunekune

Kunekune
Kunekunes at the Hamilton Zoo
Conservation status	Rare
Country of origin	New Zealand
Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus.)

The kunekune /ˈkuːnɪkuːnɪ/ is a small breed of domestic pig from New Zealand. The kunekune is hairy with a dumpy build and may bear wattles (or piri piri) hanging from their lower jaw. Colour ranges include black and white, ginger, cream, gold-tip, black, brown and tri-coloured. They have a placid, friendly nature, and – like the pot-bellied pig – are now often kept as pets.

Origin

The kunekune is believed to have descended from an Asian domestic breed introduced to New Zealand in the early 19th century by whalers or traders. They differ markedly from the feral pig of European origin known in New Zealand as a "Captain Cooker". The native Māori people of New Zealand adopted kunekune: the word kunekune means "fat and round" in the Māori language.

Rarity

By the 1980s only an estimated 50 purebred kunekune remained. Michael Willis and John Simister, wildlife-park owners, started a breeding recovery program, which in turn encouraged other recovery efforts. As of 2010 the breed no longer faces extinction, with breed societies in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Appearance

The kunekune is covered in hair which can be long or short, and straight or curly. Hair colours include black, brown, ginger, gold, cream and spotted combinations. It has a medium to short snout and either semi-lopped or pricked ears. It has a short, round body with short legs and two tassels (called piri piri) under its chin. The kunekune stands about 60 cm (24 inches) tall.

Personality

Kunekune are suitable for a novice owner as they are placid, friendly and love human company. They are intelligent and easy to train.

Habitat

The natural habitat for kunekune is woodland and pasture. They love being outdoors and are suitable for a range of climates, in addition to being ideal for large gardens. For keeping them as pets, it is best to buy an arch (a house for the pigs) at least 2 meters big, depending on the number of pigs.

Management

Kunekune are very easy to manage as they have the ability to fatten on little more than grass. They possess no inclination to roam.

Breeding

Kunekune is boars are fertile at 6 to 7 months and the gilts can become pregnant at 5 months. However gilts are not normally put to the boar until they are a year old. The sows are good mothers and the litters vary in size averaging around 7 piglets.

External links

• The New Zealand Kunekune Breeders' Association
• The British Kunekune Pig Society
• DNA studies