Pig production continues to be an important livelihood activity in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) which base on traditional methods. However, it is increasingly affected by social and market pressures. More than 80% of pig herds are native breeds and belong to smallholders with combined keeping systems. Based on a national field survey, the native pigs have been characterized and classified in four phenotypes. The native pig types and their local distribution are described. Most of them have short ears, black colour and potbelly. Their production performance, i.e. growth rates and daily weight gain is lower and the carcass fat considerably higher than that of exotic (i.e. in Lao terms »modern, intensive«) breeds. However, they require lower inputs and have excellent adaptation traits.