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Domestic pigs often called swine, hog, or pig, are omnivores and primarily raised for meat as well as for leather. Being omnivores, they consume both animals and plants, but their diet can alter from wild ones.
Pig’s meat is also known as pork, hams, or bacon, and it collectively accounts for 38% of the worldwide meat production. Their bristle hairs are commonly used in making brushes.
Likewise other biotics and antibiotics, pigs do have a limited number of breeds that are distinguished in terms of body shapes, sizes, and colors. Classification of pigs on body colors is the most commonly used to discriminate against animals.
The body size and weight largely depend on the breed of pig. Most of the breeds are raised commercially for meat and milk production that is used in many commercial products. But some breeds like Asian pot-bellied pig and Kune Kunes are also kept as pets.
Adult male pigs are known as Boars or hogs while the females are called sows. Young pigs or swine are called piglets or pigs. A group of pigs is called a passel, sounder, or team.
Let’s get started with the black pig breeds in detail but take a look at the classification of other pig breeds on colors.
Classification of pig breeds by colors
- Black
- Blonde
- Brown
- Cream
- Ginger
- Gold
- Red
- Sandy
- Tan
- White
Black pig breeds
Here are some common breeds of pig that exist in black body color. Most of them are truly famous breeds and well known to everyone but some are rare.
All of these black pig breeds in the list belong to different breeds but they are classified in the same category in terms of body color.
1. Large Black Pig
Large Black Pig is the only British pig that is truly black in color. It is considered as the large pig among the other domestic pigs.
It originated from the United Kingdom but particularly native to Devon, Essex, and Cornwall.
Large Black Pig actually resulted from the amalgamation of two separate breeds of pigs that belongs to two different geographical regions, Essex, Kent, and Suffolk in the east and Devon, Cornwall in the South-west of England.
Other names
Large Black Pig is also called with other names as Cornwall Black, Devon, and Large Black hog.
Body shape
These pigs have deep elongated bodies with long noses, tails, and ears. Their ears are such large that they obscures their vision.
The body is purely black in color and covered with long black hairs that help to protect them from sunny climates and sunburn.
Weight
The male Large Black pig weighs between 320 to 360 kg while the female sows’ weight varies from 270 to 320 kg.
Child Birth
The female sows give birth to 8-10 piglets. It is a famous breed known for having litters of up to 13 piglets.
Excellent foragers
These pigs are excellent foragers along with good foraging ability for extensive farming systems. Instead of extensive foraging, they are not good for intensive pig farming systems.
Distinguished feature
Large Black Pig is perfectly named due to its large body and black color. It is a true black breed of pigs having a whole body of black color.
It is the only British pig that is entirely black in color.
They are very hardy animals and have good behavior with others.
| Breed Name | Large Black |
| Other Name | Large Black hog, Cornwall Black or Devon |
| Special behavior | Very hardy, good behavior, docile temperament, fertile, larger litters, excellent foragers |
| Breed Size | Large |
| Boars Weight | 320-360 kg |
| Sows Weight | 270-320 kg |
| Color | Black |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
2. Berkshire Pig
Berkshire Pig is a rare breed of domestic pigs. It was named Berkshire as it originated from Berkshire county of United Kingdom.
As per a report in 2008, only 300 breeding sows of Berkshire Pigs are known to exist. But herds of Berkshire pigs are maintained by Rare Breeds Survival Trust in England at Aldenham Country Park, Hertfordshire.
They are also bred in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan under the trademark name of Kagoshima Kurobuta.
Body shape
Berkshire pigs are a black colored body with white points on the nose, feet, and tail. They are relatively short legs and prick ears.
Their face is disk-shaped with a large jaw and an inverted nose. The short snout on the face is short-sized with an upturned nose.
Bodyweight
The average body weight of Berkshire pigs is almost 270 kg. The boars are a little more in weight than sows.
Appearance
Mature pigs are medium to large-sized animals. The latest breed of Berkshire is entirely black in color while the original stock is sandy-brown.
Best for meat production
Berkshire Pigs are considered well suited for quality meat production and extensive pig farming.
Being a fast grower, it takes around 180-195 days to fully grown stage with a weight of around 113 kgs.
Distinguished feature
Berkshire pig is prized for flavor, tenderness, pink-hued, juiciness, and heavily marbled meat. Their meat is rich in fat and suitable for high-temperature cooking.
| Breed Name | Berkshire |
| Special Features | Intelligent, well suited for extensive pig farming system, known for their quality meat production, grow relatively faster |
| Breed Size | Medium to large |
| Boars Weight | Up to 270 kg |
| Sows Weight | Around 270 kg |
| Color | Entirely black with white points on the feet, nose, and tail |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Country/Place of Origin | United Kingdom |
3. Hampshire Pig
Hampshire Pigs is another breed of domestic pigs having the origin from the United Kingdom. They are easily distinguished from other similar pigs by their erect ears and black body color.
It is also known as the oldest American Pig breed.
According to the American national Swine Registry, it is the fourth most recorded pig breed of the United States.
Hampshire breed is believed to derived from English breeds that were found in Scotland and northern England. It was brought to America from Hampshire, England during 1827 and 1839.
Other names
Hampshire pigs are also known as Hampshire Hogs.
Body shape
Hampshire pigs are medium-sized pigs and having erect ears on a black body. The black-colored body has a whitish band around the middle of the body, covering the front legs.
These pigs have relatively long legs and noses and well known for meat production.
Weight
A mature male Hampshire pig weighs around 300 kg while female sows weigh about 250 kg.
Marvelous features
Hampshire pigs are a fast-growing breed of pigs and well known for well-muscled.
They exhibit great quality carcass and perfect breed for meat production.
| Breed Name | Hampshire |
| Other Name | Hampshire Hog |
| Special Features | Rapid growers, well-muscled, good carcass quality, sows are excellent mothers, good temperament |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Boars Weight | Around 300 kg |
| Sows Weight | Around 250 kg |
| Color | Black and white |
| Rarity | Available |
| Country/Place of Origin | United Kingdom |
4. Wessex Saddleback Pig
The Wessex Saddleback Pig is a domestic pig breed having the origin in the West Country of England. It was originated especially in Wiltshire and New Frest area of Hamshire.
This breed is also known as Wessex pig and the latest breed of these pigs originated in 1967 by a combination of two breeds from southern England.
Essex and Wessex are the two breeds.
Body shape
Wessex Saddleback pigs have a tall body and they are rangy animals. Their body color is black with a white band near the forepart of the trunk that extends from one forefoot over the shoulder.
Other names
Wessex Saddleback pigs are also called Wessex pigs.
Uses
Being an excellent breed in terms of eating, they are traditionally used as “baconers” and raised for bacon and hams.
Marvelous features
It is a hardy breed and well-known breed for its ability to thrive out of doors. They are easily manageable on pastures.
They have excellent maternal qualities. That’s why it is widely used in commercial crossbreeding, especially with Large White.
| Breed Name | Wessex Saddleback |
| Other Name | Wessex |
| Special Features | Very hardy, good for raising on pasture, excellent foragers, have good maternal qualities, used in commercial crossbreeding systems |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Color | Mainly black with a white band about the forepart of the trunk |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | England |
5. Ossabaw Island Pig
Ossabaw Islan pig is a critical breed of domestic pigs and their population is now limited to the feral pigs on Ossabow Island, Georgia, United States.
They are also known as Ossabaw Island and are descended from pigs released on the island in the 16th century by Spanish explorers.
These pigs were the only source of food for the Spanish explorers on the coast of the Americas in the 16th century.
Body shape
They are relatively small in size and found in a wide range of colors. But the black colored pigs with spots on their bodies are the most common breed.
They have long snouts, a heavy coat of bristles, and upright ears. The average height of a mature Ossabaw pig is less than 51 cm.
Bodyweight
The average body weight of Ossabaw Island boars and sows is almost the same and it is around 90 kg.
Meat
Its meat is dark in color with a unique texture. The great thing is that it is prized for resembling the jamón ibérico of the black Iberian pig.
Marvelous features
Ossabaw Island pig is pretty hardy and an active animal. It is a well-known forager and an excellent breed for extensive pig farming.
This pig has intelligent and friendly behavior and well adapted to local climates and high salt diets.
| Breed Name | Ossabaw Island |
| Other Name | Ossabaw Island Hog |
| Special Features | Well adapted to native climates, relatively active, pretty hardy, excellent foragers |
| Breed Size | Small |
| Boars Weight | Under 90 kg |
| Sows Weight | Under 90 kg |
| Color | Appears in a wide range of colors |
| Rarity | Critical |
| Country/Place of Origin | United States |
6. Fengjing Pig
Fengjing pig is a famous breed among domestic pigs and it is originated from Shanghai, China. It is commonly found in the districts of Songjiang, Wujiang, and Jinshan.
This breed is named Fengjing after Fengjing town of Shanghai. It is a type of Taihu pig that occurs in narrow regions around the Lake Tai region.
It is a well-known breed for its tasty meat, disease resistance, and large litters.
Body shape
Fengjing pigs are small-sized animals having the black colored body with large floppy ears. These pigs can easily be distinguished by their wrinkled face and wrinkled bodies.
The average body height of Fengjing pigs is about 69 cm and boars are larger than sows.
Weight
The mature Fengjing sows weigh around 70 kg while the boar’s weight more than sows.
Meat
The meat quality of Fengjing pigs is good and succulent in taste but they grow slightly slowly.
Marvelous features
It is a hardy animal but has high breeding rates. The Fengjing sows are capable to produce two litters per year with almost 12 piglets in the first parity that lately exceed 17 piglets in the third parity.
The larger litter size of 20 piglets is also observed in this breed sometimes.
| Breed Name | Fengjing |
| Special Features | Hardy, high breeding rates, sows are able to produce large litters, grow relatively slowly, the great taste of meat |
| Breed Size | Small |
| Boars Weight | More than 70 kg |
| Sows Weight | Around 70 kg |
| Color | Black |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | China |
7. Meishan Pig
Meishan pig is a domestic pig breed, having origin in China. It was named Meishan for the Chinese prefecture of Meishan and it is the subgroup of Taihu pig.
The Meishan pig is actually native to Southern China and well known for large litters of 15-16 piglets.
This breed was imported to the United States in the late 1980s by the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
This breed did not get much popularity in farms due to its fat abundance and slower growth rate. But it is known as one of the most prolific breeds in the world due to the early maturity of both sows and boars.
Body shape
Meishan pig has a small to the medium-sized body with black color and large drooping ears. It is also known for its wrinkled face and skin.
The mature Meishan pig has a height of around 57.8 cm.
Weight
The average body weight of a mature Meishan pigs is almost 61.6 kg.
Most prolific breed of pig in the world
Meishan pig is well known as the most prolific breed of pig in the world. It has puberty at the age of 2.5 to 3 months. It possesses larger litters having 15-16 piglets.
Marvelous features
Instead of a slow growth rate and high fat, it has great taste and popular breed for pork.
The Meishan pig animals are hardy and much resistant to diseases.
| Breed Name | Meishan |
| Special Features | Highly prolific, sows can produce 15-16 piglets per litter, slow-growing, early maturing, fat, great taste |
| Breed Size | Small to medium |
| Boars Weight | Around 61.6 kg |
| Sows Weight | Around 61.6 kg |
| Color | Mainly black |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | China |
8. Oxford Sandy and Black Pig
Oxford Sandy and Black Pig is a domestic pig breed having the origin in Oxfordshire, England. It was named Sandy and Black pig due to its sandy brown color with black patches.
This breed is also named Oxford Forest Pig and Plum Pudding. It is an old breed and native to Britain.
Oxford Sandy and Black Pig is one of the oldest pig breeds and related to old Berkshire and Tamworth pig breeds.
Body shape
Oxford Sandy and Black pig is a medium to the large-sized animal. The body color has a sandy brown color with black patches. It has a white blaze, feet, and tassel.
They have fine shoulders and good quarters and strong legs and feet that are helpful in giving support to the body.
Their head is moderately strong with lop and semi lop ears.
Excellent foragers
Oxford Sandy and Black pigs are excellent foragers and forage pretty well in the outdoor management system.
Marvelous features
It is a hardy breed and well-suited breed for reared outdoors with many good qualities. It is pretty docile in temperament.
They are less prone to sunburn due to the sandy colored skin.
| Breed Name | Oxford Sandy and Black |
| Other Name | Oxford Forest Pig or Plum Pudding |
| Special Features | Hardy, very good for raising outdoors, docile temperament, sows have very good mothering abilities |
| Breed Size | Medium to large |
| Climate Tolerance | Native climates |
| Coat Color | The base of sandy brown color with black patches |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country/Place of Origin | England |
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Black_pig
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/pig-breed
- http://afs.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/
- https://www.thepigsite.com/focus/advertiser/3660/the-different-breeds-of-swine-large-black-large-black-pig-breed-large-black-gilts-sows-and-boars
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pig_breeds
