Hybrid pigs have some advantages over pure-bred pigs because of a genetic phenomenon called heterosis (the improved or increased function of any biological quality in a hybrid offspring. Heterosis is also known as hybrid vigor, or outbreeding enhancement).

It is often said that most commercial pig producers in Nigeria use cross-bred pigs rather than pure-breds as market animals because of heterosis.

To produce a good quality cross-breed pig, the parents of the hybrid pig must come from two different pure breeds.

For example, you can cross a pure-breed female Large White and a pure-breed male Landrace to produce an improved breed.

Cross-breeding can involve two or more pure breeds, depending on the result one desires. 

Cross-breeding of domestic pig breeds aims to take advantage of the improvement in the performance of the descendants of the pigs above that of either parent.