10. Mangalitsa Pig
The Mangalitsa Pig is a fine and fabulous creature native to Hungary. It has a unique appearance with a fancy fleece coating its body, resembling that of a sheep. This breed of pig was the result of interbreeding between regular farm pigs and wild boars. It was specifically bred to be a large pig that could produce great meat and lard while requiring less hands-on care than other breeds.
The Mangalitsa’s fluffy coat allows it to thrive outdoors, even in cold climates. However, during the industrial farming boom in the mid-20th century, their importance declined, and they were almost driven to extinction. Thanks to the efforts of geneticist Peter Toth, their population has been somewhat saved, with around 60,000 piglets produced annually in Hungary.
