The aim of the study was to gather information on the functioning of the pig practitioners in the current pig sector in Belgium by means of a questionnaire. It consisted of 76 questions dealing with the studies of veterinary medicine, the situation of the practitioners and the veterinary herd health guidance. Forty-three practitioners completed the questionnaire. On average, the respondents have 17 years of professional experience. Most of the veterinarians prefer that the current education system with the different main subjects in the last year of veterinary medicine studies is maintained, a minority prefers to have more (19%) or less (36%) differentiation during the study. Of all veterinarians who obtained their DVM degrees after 1997, 19 out of 20 have followed one or more courses related to pig medicine. Fifty-eight percent work as an independent practitioner and 42% as a practitioner associated with a feeding company. Forty-four percent work in a one-man practice and 56% in a group practice. Almost all veterinarians have a full-time job and work on average 54 hours per week. The respondents report to be the statutory herd veterinarian of 43 pig herds on average. A solid professional knowledge combined with good social skills to communicate with the farmer are considered to be the most important factors for a successful herd health guidance. An important part of the income (43%) is obtained by selling veterinary drugs. Eighty-five percent of the practitioners report that pig producers are not willing to pay for professional advice. The health status of the pigs in the herds is best monitored by performing necropsies and by a diagnostic work-up of a representative number of pigs of the herd, rather than by investigating pigs in the slaughterhouse. The majority of veterinarians think that several aspects related to the practice situation as well as the herd health guidance can be improved (administration, payment, importance of quality assurance labels for practitioners, medication, prescription of drugs). ...