The British Saddleback

The British Saddleback was recognised in 1967 when the Wessex Saddleback and the Essex breeds were amalgamated. The Wessex Saddleback dates back to 1918 when its first herd book was published. The Essex too began the same year. The Essex obviously developed in that part of the country, on the southern side of East Anglia. It was said, when the two breeds existed side by side that the Essex was the gent's pig and the Wessex the farmer's choice. In other words, the Essex was considered more of a fancy breed. 

The Wessex Saddleback hails from around the Isle of Purbeck where Hampshire and Dorset meet and could reasonably claim the title of the New Forest pig. It was from stock of Wessex pigs exported to the USA that the American Hampshire breed was developed although today, apart from the colour markings, there is very little similarity between the breeds.

The Gloucestershire Old Spots

The Gloucestershire Old Spots Breed Society was formed in 1913. The originators of that society called the breed 'Old' Spots because the pig had been known for as long as anyone could remember. The first pedigree records of pigs began in 1885, much later than it did for cattle, sheep and horses because the pig was a peasant's animal, a scavenger and was never highly regarded. No other pedigree spotted breed was recorded before 1913, so today's GOS is the oldest such breed in the world!

The breed originated around the Berkeley Vale on the southern shores of the river Severn in south west England. It was usually kept in the cider and perry pear orchards of the area and on the dairy farms. Windfall fruit and waste from the dairies supplemented its grazing habit. Local folklore says that the spots on its back are bruises from the falling fruit. Besides its correct title and variations such as Gloster Spot or just Old Spot, the breed is also known as The Orchard Pig and The Cottager's Pig.

The Large Black

With its lop ears and long, deep body, the Large Black is Britain's only all-black pig Extremely docile, and very hardy, it is ideally suited to simple outdoor systems. These characteristics, coupled with its black skin, make the Large Black ideal for a wide range of climatic conditions. In fact, by 1935, pigs of this breed had been exported to well over 30 countries. 

A change in demand by the meat trade and a developing prejudice against coloured pigs led to a severe decline in numbers throughout the 1960s. Today Large Black pigs can be found throughout the British Isles, mainly in small herds, some of which were established well before World War II.

The Oxford Sandy and Black 

The Oxford Sandy and Black pig, sometimes referred to as the Plum Pudding or Oxford Forest Pig, is one of the oldest British pig breeds. It has existed for 200-300 years. The exact origin of the breed is lost in antiquity but the original Oxford Sandy & Black is believed to have developed some two centuries ago in Oxfordshire.

The Oxford Sandy & Black or OSB has reached crisis point at least twice in it's past when numbers dropped so low that extinction was a real possibility. Unfortunately it had no Society or herd book to look after it;s wellbeing. As long ago as the 1940s, boar licensing had dropped to one or two a year for OSB's. If it wasn't for a few dedicated breeders, the breed would surely have been lost.