While the terms are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation and media, “pig” and “hog” possess distinct definitions, particularly within the agricultural industry. Acknowledging the animal’s life stage and purpose is the best way to understand the difference between a pig and a hog. The distinction is not based on biological classification but rather on a practical system used by farmers and producers.
The Primary Distinction: Size and Age
The most common and precise difference between a pig and a hog is determined by the animal’s size and maturity. In agricultural settings, the term “pig” generally refers to a younger, smaller animal. A pig is typically considered to be under 120 pounds in live weight. These animals are still growing and are not yet ready for the commercial market.
The term “hog,” conversely, is applied to a larger, more mature animal, which is often ready for harvesting or breeding. This threshold is generally set at a live weight of 120 pounds or more. The hog designation signifies an animal that has reached a marketable size, usually between five and seven months of age.
This size-based distinction is rooted in economic and production logistics. A mature hog is considered a market-ready animal, with the goal weight for slaughter often falling between 220 and 280 pounds. The terms simplify communication about the animal’s developmental phase and commercial value in the farming community.
The Scientific Term: Understanding Swine
To move past the practical farming definitions, the overarching scientific term for this group of animals is “swine.” Swine is a collective noun that encompasses all members of the family Suidae and the genus Sus. This biological classification includes both the domestic animal and its wild relatives.
The domestic pig is scientifically known as Sus scrofa domesticus, although some taxonomists use the separate species name Sus domesticus. This classification places the domestic animal under the same umbrella as the wild boar, Sus scrofa. Swine is the biological group name for the species, similar to how “cattle” is used to describe cows, bulls, and steers.
The adjective form of swine is “porcine,” which is frequently used in scientific and medical contexts, such as in discussions of porcine genetics or diseases. Using the term swine provides a clear, unambiguous reference to the species regardless of the animal’s age, gender, or weight. This avoids the confusion inherent in the common language terms “pig” and “hog.”
Contextual Terms and Common Interchangeability
Beyond the primary size-based distinction, other specific terms exist to describe the animal’s gender, age, or function:
- A Boar is an adult male swine that has not been castrated.
- A Sow is an adult female swine that has produced offspring.
- A Gilt is an immature female that has not yet given birth.
- A Shoat is a newly weaned young pig, often weighing between 25 and 70 pounds.
The term feral hog is used for wild populations, which are often descendants of escaped domestic pigs or hybrids with wild boars. These wild animals are called “hogs” regardless of their size, which adds to the public’s tendency to use the terms interchangeably.
Ultimately, the general public uses the word “pig” as a generic synonym for the entire species, or swine, regardless of size or maturity. Because of this widespread, non-technical usage, the nuanced, size-based definitions used in agriculture are frequently lost. For the average person, the words function as near-identical names for the same animal.