Pigs were the original truffle hunters, drawn to the intoxicating aroma of truffles by nature itself. Truffles release compounds that mimic pheromones found in male pigs, which is why they’ve long been considered an aphrodisiac. This natural attraction made pigs excellent at finding truffles—but there was one major drawback.
Overcome with excitement, pigs would dig aggressively, often damaging the delicate forest floor and devouring their prized finds before their handlers could intervene. Because of this environmental impact, Italy officially banned the use of pigs for truffle hunting in 1985.
Enter man's best friend. Dogs have since taken over the role, offering a more sustainable and precise method of truffle hunting. Unlike pigs, they can be trained to locate truffles without disturbing the ecosystem—and, importantly, without eating them! The preferred breed for truffle hunting in Italy is the Lagotto Romagnolo, a curly-haired working dog with a keen nose and a gentle digging technique. However, many breeds, including pointers and Bracco Italianos, have proven to be exceptional truffle hunters as well.
At Sabatino, we honor this rich tradition of truffle hunting with our own specially trained dogs, ensuring that every truffle we harvest is done so sustainably, preserving the land for generations to come. Our deep-rooted expertise in truffle cultivation and hunting has made us the world’s leading truffle company, delivering the finest truffles from Italy to chefs and food lovers around the world.
