We often get asked why do we use dogs not pigs to harvest black truffles. Pigs once were commonly known for use in truffle hunting, but are rarely used today. The reason why is practicality but we are biased as our fur babies our part of our family.
Historically, pigs were the preferred animals for sniffing out black truffles because their natural instincts made them incredibly adept at locating volatiles within the truffle underground. However, there's a big catch: pigs adore truffles as food. Once a pig finds a truffle, it's a race against time to keep the valuable fungi from becoming an immediate snack.
Dogs, on the other hand, hunt truffles differently. They don’t perceive truffles as a meal but rather as part of a rewarding game with their owner. Truffle-hunting dogs are trained to locate the fungi and then patiently wait for their human partner to dig it out, receiving praise, affection, or a small treat in return. This method preserves the precious truffle intact, ensuring a higher quality harvest.
Furthermore, dogs seamlessly fit into our and other hunters lives not only as working animals but also as beloved pets. They form deep bonds with their owners, making the truffle hunt a joyful partnership rather than a stressful competition. This companionship means dogs are consistently ready and eager to work alongside their humans, enhancing the efficiency and pleasure of the truffle-hunting experience.
We are lucky enough to have 2 beautiful dogs, Drake an English Springer Spaniel & McKenzie a Border Collie. Both our dogs are very high energy and very loving we would be lost with out them.
