Truffle hog

Pigs have an exceptional sense of smell, and are able to identify truffles as deep as three feet underground.

It was thought that the natural sex hormone androstenol of the male pig, which is also found in truffles, was responsible for this ability;[1] however this has been proven false, as the molecule dimethyl sulphide was shown to signal instead.

They are trained to hunt truffles by walking on a leash through suitable groves with a keeper.

[3] The use of pigs to hunt truffles is said to date back to the Roman Empire, but the first well-documented use comes from the Italian Renaissance writer and gastronomist, Bartolomeo Platina, in the 15th century.

[4] A skilled truffler could more than make up for this investment from the high price of truffles on the gourmet food market.