Breeds of Swine

Foundation

• Developed from the Eurasian Wild Boar

• Domesticated about 9000 years ago

• Not used in nomadic tribes

Maternal/Terminal

• Maternal = Breed used for mothering ability– Raise large litters, milk well, normally not

heavily muscled

• Terminal = Breeds used for meat production ability– Heavy muscled, good carcass quality.

Berkshire

• Developed in Birk, England

• Prized pigs of the Queen of England

• Imported to the U.S. in 1823

• Terminal breed• 6 White Points, and

Erect ears

Berkshire

Chester White

• Originate in Chester County Pennsylvania

• Maternal breed• White pigment in the

skin with drooped ears.

Chester White

Duroc

• Thought to have been brought to the US by Columbus and DeSoto

• Terminal Breed• Red hair and skin,

may range from almost yellow to very dark mahogany, Drooped ears

Duroc

Hampshire

• Imported to the U.S. in 1825 from Hampshire, England

• Terminal Breed• Black hair and skin

with a white belt that goes from the bottom of one front leg to the bottom of the other and erect ears.

Hampshire

Landrace

• Developed in 1934• Maternal type• White skin and hair,

with large drooped ears, narrow face, and extremely long back and belly

Landrace

Poland China

• Origins are unknown• Terminal Breed• Quick growth, heavy

muscled.• Solid black with 6

white points and drooped ears.

Poland China

Spotted Poland China (Spot)

• Developed from the Poland China Breed

• Terminal breed• About ½ white and ½

black with drooped ears.

Spotted Poland China (Spot)

Yorkshire

• Developed in Yorkshire, England

• Maternal Type• Solid white with erect

ears.

Yorkshire