Large Black
Extrieur
Large Black is the perfect name for this pig because it is a large breed of pig. It is an all-black pig breed and is the only British pig that is all-black. The Large Black have long bodies as do their ears, nose and street. The Large Black's ears are large and fall over the eyes, obstructing vision. They have long hair and their all-black coloring helps protect them from sunny climates. The average body weight of bears is 320 to 360 kg. The average body weight of sows ranges from 270 to 320 kg. Shoulder height of a sow is 80 cm, of a boar 85 cm.
The large black pig is a large breed native to the United Kingdom. It is mainly found in Cornwall, Devon and Essex. The breed is also known by a number of other names such as Boggu, Cornwall Black and Devon. The breed is actually the result of the amalgamation of black piglets from two geographically separate areas, Cornwall and Devon in the southwest of England, and Essex, Kent and Suffolk in the east. The Large Black is the only British pig breed that is completely black in color.
The breed is a combination of local black pig breeds from West County and eastern England. It was the most common breed and was a popular breed in the early 1900s and was exported to many parts of the world. But the overall population declined after World War II when farmers turned to more productive pig breeds more suited to an intensive pig farming system. The large black pig breed was nearly extinct by the 1960s. Although overall numbers have slowly increased, the breed is still considered vulnerable.
The variety is extremely docile and very hardy, ideal for simple outdoor systems. These characteristics, combined with its black skin, make the Large Black ideal for a wide range of climatic conditions. In fact, by 1935, piglets of this breed had been exported to more than 30 countries.
In the early 20th century, the Large Black became widely distributed throughout the country and were often crossed with the Large White and Middle White to produce bacon and hogs. The Large Black breed was also very successful in the show ring at this time; at Smithfield in 1919, the Supreme Championship was awarded to a Large Black sow that subsequently sold for 700 guineas. In the same year, the breed surpassed all other breeds at the Royal Show when 121 Large Black piglets were exhibited.
A change in demand from the meat trade and a growing prejudice against colored piglets led to a sharp decline in numbers during the 1960s. Today, Large Black piglets can be found in the British Isles, mostly in small herds, some of which were established well before World War II.