The Great Truffle Hunt Debate: Dogs vs. Pigs

When people think of truffle hunting, many picture a jolly pig sniffing through the woods. But if you join a truffle hunting experience near San Gimignano, you’ll notice one thing: no pigs in sight. So what happened to the truffle pigs—and why have dogs taken over the job?

Let’s explore the differences between the two, and settle the age-old debate once and for all.

🐷 The Truffle Pig: A Natural Talent with a Few… Issues

Pigs—especially females—have a natural instinct to seek out truffles. The smell of a truffle mimics a compound found in a male pig’s pheromones, which makes sows particularly eager to find them.

Pros:

  • Naturally drawn to the scent of truffles

  • Excellent sense of smell

  • Strong and determined

Cons:

  • They eat the truffles (if you’re not fast!)

  • Hard to control

  • Can be aggressive

  • Not ideal for delicate forest floors

  • …and they don’t fit well in cars!

In short: pigs are effective but unpredictable. And in modern truffle hunting, unpredictability is a problem.

🐶 The Truffle Dog: Man’s Best Friend (and Truffle’s Too)

Dogs, on the other hand, need to be trained to find truffles—but once they’re trained, they’re loyal, precise, and much easier to work with.

In Tuscany, you’ll most often meet Lagotto Romagnolo dogs—the only breed recognized specifically for truffle hunting. But many other breeds, including spaniels, retrievers, and even mixed breeds, can become excellent truffle hunters.

Pros:

  • Easy to train and control

  • Don’t eat the truffles

  • Agile in the woods

  • Loyal and bond closely with their handlers

  • Great with guests and children

Cons:

  • Training takes time and effort

  • Less instinctual than pigs

Most importantly, dogs are gentle with the forest and respectful of the delicate balance of the ecosystem—something every good truffle hunter values deeply.

Why Tuscany (and San Gimignano) Chooses Dogs

In regions like San Gimignano, where truffle hunting is not only a tradition but also an eco-conscious activity, dogs are the clear winners. They allow for sustainable harvesting, and they’re better suited for modern truffle tourism.

When you join a tour, watching a trained dog sniff, pause, and start digging with excitement is a joy in itself. The bond between the dog and its tartufaio is a beautiful example of teamwork built over years.

Experience the Magic Yourself

If you’re planning a trip to Tuscany, come meet these amazing dogs in action. On a truffle hunt near San Gimignano, you’ll:

  • Walk through the woods with a trained truffle dog

  • Learn about the training process

  • Discover how dogs protect the truffle and the land

  • Celebrate your findings with a truffle tasting or lunch

👉 Book your truffle hunting tour now

So, who wins?
Pigs may have started the tradition, but in Tuscany, the dogs have taken the lead—and they’re not letting go of the truffle any time soon. 🐶✨