Swine Breeds

Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Subclass: Theria Order: Artiodactyla Family: Suidae Genus: Sus Species: Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758 – wild boar, pig, pig (feral)

Sus scrofa Some believe that pigs were the earliest animal to be domesticated, not the cat or dog. Paintings and carvings of pigs over 25,000 years ago have been found. The Chinese domesticated pigs 7,000 years ago

Landrace Originated in Denmark Drooped ears Known for their maternal instincts White Long Flatter-topped than other breeds The American Landrace is a white hog of long body length, having sixteen or seventeen pairs of ribs The hair color must be white

Berkshire Originated in England Black with white legs, snout and switch Once kept at Buckingham Palace Known for producing high quality meats Erect ears

Chester White Originated in Chester County, Pennsylvania White with drooped ears Mothering breed Known to produce large litters

Duroc Originated in the United States Solid red The ears should be drooping and should not be held erect. Slight dish to the face Excellent meat type hog

Hampshire Originated in the United States Probably the oldest American breed Black with a white belt Small, erect ears Well-known meat breed

Hereford Originated in Missouri Developed from crossing Berkshires and Durocs Red with white face, legs and underline Medium-sized, drooping ear Long neck

Poland China Originated in the US Noted for ability to easily gain weight Quiet dispositions Black with white snouts, legs and switch Generally poor mothers Drooped ears

Spots Developed in Indiana Black and white spots Efficient feeders Noted for rapid weight gain

Tamworth Originated in Ireland Red in color A noted bacon breed Deep-sided Well-arched back Erect ears Good mothers Very active

Yorkshire Originated in England White Large, erect ears Known as “The Mother Breed” Produces large litters Bacon-type hog

Vietnamese Potbelly Dwarf swine breed which were developed in the 1960's in Vietnam In 1986, when the first potbellies were sold into the U.S., their market price ran well into the thousands of dollars Full grown potbellied pigs weigh an average of 70-150 lb. with some reaching 200 lb. or more; they average 3-ft. long and 15-inches tall. Full growth is not reached until about 5 years of age. Colors range from solid black to solid white, with a variety of spots in between.

Vietnamese Potbelly…….. Most people who purchase these pigs want them as pets, but these pigs do not necessarily stay small, cute, or cuddly. Unspayed females suffer from "PMS" and strong mood swings; intact males produce a pungent odor in addition to displaying other unpleasant traits-neither are desirable pets As stated above, their average weight is close to 100 lb., and they do not like to be picked up or held. Unlike cats and dogs, pigs are prey not predators, so being lifted up or restrained causes them extreme alarm.

Yucatan miniature Native of Southern Mexico. Only natural occurring miniature pig. Derived from one primary gene pool without introduction of genetic material from other breeds Cardiovascular research Diabetes studies Facial mandibular research Regenerative Medicine Skin research

Charles River's mini pigs are small Yucatan strains developed at Colorado State University from foundation animals imported from the Yucatan peninsula in 1960. Black or slate grey, relatively hairless, short profile and shortsnout

Blue butt pig No register as a breed Show animal for FFA programs Cross breding between a dark and white pig (York-Ham)

Resources http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/