A lot of people new to Kunekune pigs have confusion about the breed registries. When we got started, I thought that AKPR handled the West coast, and AKKPS handled the East coast! There also seems to be the misconception that registries are only for show animals- and this couldn’t be more inaccurate. Whether you are showing or producing pork, registration is really important to track genetics!

There are two separate Kunekune breed registries- the American Kunekune Pig Registry and the American Kunekune Pig Society. Breeders can register with one, or with both. Pigs can be registered with one registry and transferred to the other, and pigs can be dual registered. As of July 1, 2020 AKPR won’t accept the registration or transfer of unwattled pigs into their herd book.

How to choose which registry to work with is up to you. With AKPR you get free litter notifications and registrations, but new rules (such as the highly controversial wattle regulation) may appear at any time, and you won’t have a vote or input in regards to such changes. With AKKPS, you pay for your paperwork, but any changes are voted on via surveys sent to the membership and then voted on by a member-driven board.

If I have missed anything in the two lists below, please feel free to comment with suggestions as to what you feel should be added!

American Kunekune Pig Registry (AKPR)

• AKPR was founded in 2006
• Cost is $40 per year
• Herd book access, litter notifications, registrations AND transfers are FREE
• As of July 1, 2020 unwattled pigs are not allowed to be registered. Wattles must be documented via photographs.
• As of February 2020, teat counts are to be entered when registering a pig.
• AKPR offers Junior memberships, where kids can be assigned their own herd prefix, own their own pigs, and show under their prefix at AKPR sanctioned events.
• AKPR allows all newly imported bloodlines to be registered, and registered under their original name.
• Herd book is public and can be viewed by anyone.
• AKPR members are listed on the AKPR breeder list whether or not they register any pigs with AKPR or not.
• Paperwork is electronic, meaning that you receive pig’s registrations through a digital document
• Individual pig’s registrations can be transferred to a new owner by being signed over to them on the pedigree.
• AKPR regularly sanctions shows and events for Kunekune pigs.
• Upon joining AKPR, you’ll receive a herd book prefix unique to your farm name.
• AKPR merchandise is available for purchase online

American Kunekune Pig Society (AKKPS)

• AKKPS is a second official breed registry that went online in 2013
• AKKPS is beginning to recognize Kunekune for pork, but prior to this has been more pet-focused. AKKPS offers “pet registrations” for altered pigs.
• Cost is $40 per year
• Litter notifications are $20/each. Registration is $15 per piglet or transfer.
• AKKPS offers sponsor memberships, where breeders can purchase memberships for their customers.
• AKKPS has some limitations on registration of newer bloodlines, and the Tutanekai bloodline is listed as “TF Mahia Love” in the AKKPS herd book.
• Herd book access is restricted only to members.
• Breeders are only listed on the breeder list if 80% of their pigs are registered with AKKPS.
• Paperwork is sent via mail.
• Transfers of pigs can only be initiated online via pig owner. Paperwork can’t be “signed over” to a new owner.
• Upon joining you will receive a herd book prefix unique to your farm name.
• AKKPS places topics up for discussion amongst members utilizing surveys, and then their board of directors votes on them, making them a member-driven organization, whereas AKPR makes changes voted on by their core officers, not their members.
• AKKPS has a quarterly newsletter that provides education and features member farms and content
• AKKPS merchandise is available for purchase online