Hog vs Pig: 6 Main Differences
People call pigs and hogs by many names (and nicknames), and they even use the terms interchangeably, but how correct are they? After all, with different names, there have to be a few distinct differences. While they can describe the same animal, there are a few factors that anyone should consider, though these factors are typically only considered by the farmers and sellers of swine.
The daily life of either of these animals consists of mostly the same activities – eating, rolling around in mud, and rooting. But how well do you know your swine? Could you tell the difference between a hog and a pig?
Comparing Hog vs Pig
The phrases “hog” and “pig” both equally refer to swine. In fact, some areas of the world call any domesticate swine a pig. They are all part of the sus scrofa breed, and their biological differences are minimal. Take a look at the chart below to get a sense of what makes a hog and a pig different.
| Hog | Pig | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 120 lbs+ | Under 120 lbs. |
| Body | Stocky bodies, flat snout, large ears | Short legs, cartilaginous snout, bristly hair |
| Age | 3 years and older | Under 3 years old |
| Habitat | Only on a farm before being sold. | On a farm |
| Preferred Temperature | Any temperature, apart from Antarctica | Cold areas, as they cannot sweat |
The 6 Key Differences Between Hogs vs Pigs
Despite being different life stages of the swine, these changes can distinguish the pig and hog from one another. The domestication of the pig over thousands of years has greatly impacted the way that farmers treat this species, helping anyone who decides to shop their local markets.
1. Hogs vs Pigs: Domestication
Perhaps the biggest difference between the hog and the pig is their level of domestication. Pigs have been domesticated for about 9,000 years, and they were originally brought to Europe by Asian farmers. Hogs, on the other hand, are domesticated pigs. The distinction seems technical, but it is important.
2.Hogs vs Pigs: Age
The life stage of the pig is the easiest way to tell if the animal is a hog or a pig. Pigs generally refer to younger swine that haven’t reached maturity, which occurs around 3 years of age. However, the word is often used by consumers to describe any swine, regardless of their level of domestication.
Hog also seems to be used for all swine, but pigs must be about 3 years old to actually be considered a hog.
3.Hogs vs Pigs: Physical Changes
Since the classification of “pig” or “hog” is entirely based on the age of each animal, their physical attributes are going to be different. Pigs generally weigh less than 120 lbs., and they are often small with shorter legs. They have rather bristly hair, complementing their cloven hooves and cartilaginous snout.
The snout of a hog is much flatter, but their build is stocky. This build is likely the result of breeding by farmers to prepare them for sale.
4.Hogs vs Pigs: Farming
The way that hogs and pigs are raised is distinctly different. Pig and hog farmers differentiate pigs from hogs with their weight. High weight is commonly associated with the hog, while a lower weight is associated with the pig (since it is younger). Farmers typically only take care of pigs until they are old enough to become the meat for which they are raised.
This difference is seemingly used primarily in the United States. In Great Britain, any domesticated swine is just referred to as a pig.
5.Hogs vs Pigs: Commercial Sales
The age and weight difference between the pig and the hog also impact the way that they are commercially distributed. Pigs, because of their young age and lower weight, are not typically ready to be marketed and sold for meat. They are typically found on farms because they still have to be raised into the hogs that they will become.
Hogs, however, are ready to be sold and slaughtered. If they are currently on a farm, it won’t last much longer since they will be brought to a market for purchase.
6.Hogs vs Pigs: Behavior
The maturity of the pig and the hog greatly impacts the way that they handle others in their surroundings. The pig has greater intelligence than a 3-year-old child, and they are quite sociable with humans and even other pigs. They like to bond with the animals around them, and they are omnivorous.
Hogs, on the other hand, can become incredibly aggressive. They are quite fast if they are let loose in the wild, though they are incredibly smart. They grunt much more than a pig does.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do pigs turn into hogs?
Technically, yes. Pigs are the younger version of the same animal, and they are used to refer to the swine before they are 120 lbs.
Is hog another word for pig?
Most people use these words interchangeably. While a pig is not yet mature, a hog is. However, they are both swine.
More from A-Z Animals
People call pigs and hogs by many names (and nicknames), and they even use the terms interchangeably, but how correct are they? After all, with different names, there have to be a few distinct differences. While they can describe the same animal, there are a few factors that anyone should consider, though these factors are typically only considered by the farmers and sellers of swine.
The daily life of either of these animals consists of mostly the same activities – eating, rolling around in mud, and rooting. But how well do you know your swine? Could you tell the difference between a hog and a pig?
Comparing Hog vs Pig
The phrases “hog” and “pig” both equally refer to swine. In fact, some areas of the world call any domesticate swine a pig. They are all part of the sus scrofa breed, and their biological differences are minimal. Take a look at the chart below to get a sense of what makes a hog and a pig different.
| Hog | Pig | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 120 lbs+ | Under 120 lbs. |
| Body | Stocky bodies, flat snout, large ears | Short legs, cartilaginous snout, bristly hair |
| Age | 3 years and older | Under 3 years old |
| Habitat | Only on a farm before being sold. | On a farm |
| Preferred Temperature | Any temperature, apart from Antarctica | Cold areas, as they cannot sweat |
The 6 Key Differences Between Hogs vs Pigs
Despite being different life stages of the swine, these changes can distinguish the pig and hog from one another. The domestication of the pig over thousands of years has greatly impacted the way that farmers treat this species, helping anyone who decides to shop their local markets.
1. Hogs vs Pigs: Domestication
Perhaps the biggest difference between the hog and the pig is their level of domestication. Pigs have been domesticated for about 9,000 years, and they were originally brought to Europe by Asian farmers. Hogs, on the other hand, are domesticated pigs. The distinction seems technical, but it is important.
2.Hogs vs Pigs: Age
The life stage of the pig is the easiest way to tell if the animal is a hog or a pig. Pigs generally refer to younger swine that haven’t reached maturity, which occurs around 3 years of age. However, the word is often used by consumers to describe any swine, regardless of their level of domestication.
Hog also seems to be used for all swine, but pigs must be about 3 years old to actually be considered a hog.
3.Hogs vs Pigs: Physical Changes
Since the classification of “pig” or “hog” is entirely based on the age of each animal, their physical attributes are going to be different. Pigs generally weigh less than 120 lbs., and they are often small with shorter legs. They have rather bristly hair, complementing their cloven hooves and cartilaginous snout.
The snout of a hog is much flatter, but their build is stocky. This build is likely the result of breeding by farmers to prepare them for sale.
4.Hogs vs Pigs: Farming
The way that hogs and pigs are raised is distinctly different. Pig and hog farmers differentiate pigs from hogs with their weight. High weight is commonly associated with the hog, while a lower weight is associated with the pig (since it is younger). Farmers typically only take care of pigs until they are old enough to become the meat for which they are raised.
This difference is seemingly used primarily in the United States. In Great Britain, any domesticated swine is just referred to as a pig.
5.Hogs vs Pigs: Commercial Sales
The age and weight difference between the pig and the hog also impact the way that they are commercially distributed. Pigs, because of their young age and lower weight, are not typically ready to be marketed and sold for meat. They are typically found on farms because they still have to be raised into the hogs that they will become.
Hogs, however, are ready to be sold and slaughtered. If they are currently on a farm, it won’t last much longer since they will be brought to a market for purchase.
6.Hogs vs Pigs: Behavior
The maturity of the pig and the hog greatly impacts the way that they handle others in their surroundings. The pig has greater intelligence than a 3-year-old child, and they are quite sociable with humans and even other pigs. They like to bond with the animals around them, and they are omnivorous.
Hogs, on the other hand, can become incredibly aggressive. They are quite fast if they are let loose in the wild, though they are incredibly smart. They grunt much more than a pig does.