Pietrain,
Belgium, the village from which the breed takes its name, was the birthplace
of the breed. The breed is of medium size and is white with black spots. Around
the
black spots there are characteristic rings of light pigmentation that carries
white hair.
This, coupled with the fact that the black hair is not as deeply pigmented as on black breeds, or the black spots on some spotted breeds, leaves them with less than the most attractive coats. The breed is commonly referred to as being of piebald markings. The earsare carried erect.
They are shorter of leg than most breeds, stockier in build, and quite broad along the back. The hams are extremely bulging and muscular. They carry an extremely high proportion of lean to fat and its reputation for very high quality lean make the breed a desired one for fresh meat processing.
The breed has developed a reputation for improving the quality of market swine when the boars are used on sows of other breeds, especially the Belgian Landrace. While the sows of the breed are prolific, they lack some in mothering characteristics and in milk production.