Large Black pig
Encyclopedia
The Large Black or Devon pig is a breed of domestic pig
native to Great Britain
. It is a large breed, and is the only British pig which is wholly black. Large Black pigs are present in a number of countries including the UK, Australia, Canada and the United States of America. In the United States the breed is also called the Large Black Hog, or simply Large Black. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
lists the Large Black breed as "Critical." The breed is native to the Devon and Cornwall regions of Great Britain.
During the late 19th century, the breed gained in popularity. In 1898 a breed association
was formed and by 1900 was one of the most populous English pig breeds. In the early 1900s, the Large Black was exported to mainland Europe, South America, Africa and Australia and New Zealand. Popularity peaked in the 1920s, however, and after World War II, population numbers declined as farmers began to favor breeds that would do well in intensive indoor settings. During the 1960s the breed almost became extinct, and in 1973 it was placed on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust
endangered livestock list.
The Large Black population is listed as "critical" by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
, which means that less than 200 animals are registered each year in the United States and there are estimated to be less than 2,000 in existence worldwide. It remains on the British Rare Breeds Survival Trust, who considers the population "vulnerable", meaning there are between 200 and 300 breeding females believed to exist. It remains one of the least populous pig breeds from Britain, although numbers are slowly on the rise due to an increase in demand for meat from traditional pig breeds. The British Pig Association currently recognizes 6 boar lines and 24 sow lines within the breed.
of 8–10 piglets, but some sows have been known to have litters of up to 13 piglets. The breed is also known for the length of its fertility, with the Guinness Book of Records listing a Large Black sow as having produced 26 litters between 1940 and 1952 - the largest number of litters ever recorded in a pig. Boars weigh 700 lbs and sows around 600 lbs, although obesity in sows sometimes results in cystic ovaries and a loss of fertility.
At its peak of popularity, the Large Black was used mainly for meat production and crossing with the Yorkshire breed (also known as the Large White) - this cross provided a commercially well-regarded and vigorous hybrid. The meat from the Large Black is known for its eating quality and flavor.
Domestic pig
The domestic pig is a domesticated animal that traces its ancestry to the wild boar, and is considered a subspecies of the wild boar or a distinct species in its own right. It is likely the wild boar was domesticated as early as 13,000 BC in the Tigris River basin...
native to Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. It is a large breed, and is the only British pig which is wholly black. Large Black pigs are present in a number of countries including the UK, Australia, Canada and the United States of America. In the United States the breed is also called the Large Black Hog, or simply Large Black. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a nonprofit organization focused on preserving and promoting genetic diversity among rare breeds of livestock...
lists the Large Black breed as "Critical." The breed is native to the Devon and Cornwall regions of Great Britain.
History
The Large Black resulted from the amalgamation of black pigs from south-west England with those of East Anglia. In 1810, they were described as, "...distinguished by their gigantic size, they are the largest of the kind I have ever seen, and as perfect a make as possible in pigs; their heads are large, with very long ears hanging down on each side of the face, so they can scarcely see their way." The pigs from East Anglia, mainly Essex, were strongly influenced by importations from China in the late 18th century, while those from Devon and Cornwall were probably much more closely related to the pigs on mainland Europe, particularly France. These two types were very distinct by the late 1880s, but after the founding of the breed association, breeding stock was increasingly exchanged between the two regions and variations decreased.During the late 19th century, the breed gained in popularity. In 1898 a breed association
Breed registry
A breed registry, also known as a stud book or register, in animal husbandry and the hobby of animal fancy, is an official list of animals within a specific breed whose parents are known. Animals are usually registered by their breeders when they are still young...
was formed and by 1900 was one of the most populous English pig breeds. In the early 1900s, the Large Black was exported to mainland Europe, South America, Africa and Australia and New Zealand. Popularity peaked in the 1920s, however, and after World War II, population numbers declined as farmers began to favor breeds that would do well in intensive indoor settings. During the 1960s the breed almost became extinct, and in 1973 it was placed on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust
Rare Breeds Survival Trust
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust is a conservation charity, whose purpose is to secure the continued existence and viability of the United Kingdom’s native farm animal genetic resources...
endangered livestock list.
The Large Black population is listed as "critical" by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a nonprofit organization focused on preserving and promoting genetic diversity among rare breeds of livestock...
, which means that less than 200 animals are registered each year in the United States and there are estimated to be less than 2,000 in existence worldwide. It remains on the British Rare Breeds Survival Trust, who considers the population "vulnerable", meaning there are between 200 and 300 breeding females believed to exist. It remains one of the least populous pig breeds from Britain, although numbers are slowly on the rise due to an increase in demand for meat from traditional pig breeds. The British Pig Association currently recognizes 6 boar lines and 24 sow lines within the breed.
Description
The Large Black is a very docile breed, possibly because its large, drooping ears obscure its vision. Sows give birth to a large litterLitter (animal)
A litter is the offspring at one birth of animals from the same mother and usually from one set of parents. The word is most often used for the offspring of mammals, but can be used for any animal that gives birth to multiple young. In comparison, a group of eggs and the offspring that hatch from...
of 8–10 piglets, but some sows have been known to have litters of up to 13 piglets. The breed is also known for the length of its fertility, with the Guinness Book of Records listing a Large Black sow as having produced 26 litters between 1940 and 1952 - the largest number of litters ever recorded in a pig. Boars weigh 700 lbs and sows around 600 lbs, although obesity in sows sometimes results in cystic ovaries and a loss of fertility.
At its peak of popularity, the Large Black was used mainly for meat production and crossing with the Yorkshire breed (also known as the Large White) - this cross provided a commercially well-regarded and vigorous hybrid. The meat from the Large Black is known for its eating quality and flavor.