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 Members of the British Saddleback Breeders' Club  Members of the British Pig Association  Members of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust |
What are the Rare Breeds?Rare breed (and minority) pigs are our traditional breeds. They are: Saddlebacks which we breed; Tamworths; Gloucester old spots; Oxford sandy and blacks; Large blacks and Berkshires; as well as Middle whites and British lop which we have yet to keep. British saddlebackA cracking pig! Originally two breeds:- The Essex which was a black pig with a large wide white saddle and four white feet and The Wessex which was similar in colour except that it had a narrower white saddle and two white feet. The two breeds joined in1967 due to low numbers of each breed. This pig is striking to look at; is docile; prolific breeder and delicious! Tamworth One of our rarer breeds of pig. Considered the aristocrate of the pork world. This charming pig is capable of climbing stock fencing and running for the horizon - remember the Tamworth two? Long legs and bright ginger coat make this a very distinctive animal. Gloucester Old Spot The traditional orchard pig. Now considered minority as its recent popularity has taken its numbers off the rare list for now. White coat with black spots and fabulous lopped ears makes this a breed to remember. Oxford Sandy and Black Now considered extinct by many, this re constituted breed is good first time pig. This pig should be sandy to ginger with black blotches and a white blaze between it's eyes. Sometimes however it can be any colour from pure ginger to straight black. Large Black This pig is as the name suggests: Large and black. It was traditionally used as a bacon pig but makes equally good pork. The ears of this magnificent animal are oversized - causing young piglets to resemble tiny elephants from behind (without the trunk!) A very well mannered pig who doesn't seem to trash the ground or the surrounding wire. I know of a few breeders who tell me that if you can't be bothered to repair fencing then this is the pig for you! The Berkshire A striking looking black pig with pricked ears and a white blaze on it's face. The breed is said to have been the saviour of Oliver Cromwell who, legend has it, fed his army with them when they over wintered in Reading during the Civil War. Why are they Rare? Simple... Since the growth in large modern (and tasteless) breeds which suit modern farming methods these rare breeds became expensive to rear. They take longer to produce meaning tastier meat but more food costs. This is why their numbers dropped... To save the rare breeds we need to eat more of them allowing breeding to be economically viable. |  A Saddleback boar
 Tamworth pigs waiting for dinner
 G.O.S pigs rooting in the mud
 Dozing in the sun
 A Large black enjoying the air
 Cromwells delight... a Berkshire
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