PURE BREEDS
The task of writing a description of the various breeds of swine has
been rendered less difficult by the formation during the past
half-century of societies for the registration of the pedigrees of the
pigs of the different breeds, and by the setting up of scales of those
points which pigs for entry in the particular herd books should possess.
The first of these societies was the National Pig Breeders Association,
of which the present writer was the honorary secretary for two years. At
the time of its formation the breeds of pigs most generally recognised
were the Berkshire, the Large, Middle, and Small Whites or Yorkshires,
and the Small Black breed. It was intended that the pedigrees of the
pure bred pigs of each of these breeds should be recorded by the
Association and published in one herd book.
There is no doubt that this would have been an ideal plan, and would
have resulted in a saving of much labour and expense, and decidedly more
convenient for those connected with the export trade. For reasons into
which it is not now necessary to enter, the breeders of Berkshires
determined to have a separate herd book; therefore, they started a
society which they named the British Berkshire Society, to distinguish
it from the American Berkshire Record.
Subsequently the Tamworth breed of pigs became recognised by the Royal
Agricultural Society, and the breeders of the red pig joined the
National Pig Breeders Association. Then the demand for Small White and
Small Black pigs ceased, so that eventually the pedigrees of Large
White, Middle White, and Tamworth pigs only were registered in the
N.P.A. Herd Book.
Subsequently the breeders of Tamworth pigs formed themselves into a
society presumably for propaganda work, and to conserve the interests of
breeders of Tamworth pigs. Of late years other breeds of pigs have been
brought to public notice, and have had herd books, and societies
specially devoted to their particular interests. The Large Black, Large
White Ulster, the Lincolnshire Curly Coated pigs, the Gloucestershire
Old Spots, and the Cumberland pigs have their pedigrees recorded. An
attempt was made some years since to resuscitate the Oxfordshire Spotted
pig, but it was not a continued success. It is quite possible that other
local breeds of pigs may find sufficient admirers to form societies to
bring before the public the many good qualities possessed by the pigs of
these breeds, but apart from local interest it is at least doubtful if
any permanent benefit will supervene from this multiplication of herd
books--save that it may increase the interest in pig breeding, a result
devoutly to be prayed for.
The issuing of the scales of points of those breeds of pigs whose
pedigrees are recorded in the various herd books has rendered it
unnecessary for us to endeavour to formulate the good qualities which
are presumably those which are more or less completely possessed by
these pedigreed animals, nor does the necessity exist for us to mention
those particular qualities which each breed is supposed by the admirers
of other breeds to lack. There is no doubt that each breed possesses
certain points which render it specially suitable for differing
localities and varying purposes.
Some persons who look upon a pig solely as an animal, as a converter of
various substances into pork, are of opinion that the tendency of those
responsible for the running of these societies is towards fancy points
to the detriment of the practical points. There appears to have been
some grounds for this view. The Small White, the Small Black, the
Berkshire, and the Large White have all been affected by the acts of
faddists. The three first-named breeds suffered from the aims of certain
of the breeders to reduce the size and to increase the so-called quality
until the consumers of pork refused to follow the fashion; whilst the
craze which has seriously affected the utility of the Large White pigs
has been exactly the opposite, i.e. an endeavour to so vastly increase
the size that they ceased to supply the kind of pork and the size of
joints which the general public demanded. It may be natural for fanciers
to declare that a Small White or a Small Black pig must be a small
animal, but this is only on comparison with the large breeds of the same
colour and characteristics. The usefulness of the pig in the commercial
world must be studied if any breed of pig is to hold its own on the
market.
The opposite extreme to that followed by the breeders of the small
breeds is that of the breeders of Large Whites, who look upon mere size
as the most important of the points to be studied. The mere increase in
bulk, in length of head and leg and weight of bone may appeal to the
mere fancier or faddist, but by paying undue attention to these fancy
points the actual object of the breeding and fattening of pigs is lost
sight of, and the consumer who is after all the one whose wants must
first receive study, is estranged and the commercial market is lost.
In the following pages will be found full particulars together with the
scales of points, as issued by the various societies, of the chief
breeds and varieties.
* * * * *
STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE
LARGE WHITE
COLOUR.--White, free from black hairs, and as free as possible from blue
spots on the skin.
HEAD.--Moderately long, face slightly dished, snout broad, not too much
turned up, jowl not too heavy, wide between the ears.
EARS.--Long, thin, slightly inclined forward, and fringed with fine
hair.
NECK.--Long, and proportionately full to shoulders.
CHEST.--Wide and deep.
SHOULDERS.--Level across the top, not too wide, free from coarseness.
LEGS.--Straight and well set, level with the outside of the body with
flat bone.
PASTERNS.--Short and springy.
FEET.--Strong, even, and wide.
BACK.--Long, level, and wide from neck to rump.
LOIN.--Broad.
TAIL.--Set high, stout and long, but not coarse, with tassel of fine
hair.
SIDES.--Deep.
RIBS.--Well sprung.
BELLY.--Full, but not flabby, with straight under line.
FLANK.--Thick, and well let down.
QUARTERS.--Long and wide.
HAMS.--Broad, full, and deep to hocks.
COAT.--Long and moderately fine.
ACTION.--Firm and free.
SKIN.--Not too thick, quite free from wrinkles.
Large bred pigs do not fully develop their points until some months old,
the pig at five months often proving at a year or 15 months a much
better animal than could be anticipated at the earlier age and _vice
versa_; but size and quality are most important.
OBJECTIONS.--Black hairs, black spots, a curly coat, a coarse mane,
short snout, inbent knees, hollowness at back of shoulders.
* * * * *
MIDDLE WHITE
COLOUR.--White, free from black hairs or blue spots on the skin.
HEAD.--Moderately short, face dished, snout broad and turned up, jowl
full, wide between ears.
EARS.--Fairly large, carried erect and fringed with fine hair.
NECK.--Medium length, proportionately full to the shoulders.
CHEST.--Wide and deep.
SHOULDERS.--Level across the top, moderately wide, free from coarseness.
LEGS.--Straight and well set, level with the outside of body with fine
bone.
PASTERNS.--Short and springy.
FEET.--Strong, even, and wide.
BACK.--Long, level, and wide from neck to rump.
LOIN.--Broad.
TAIL.--Set high, moderately long, but not coarse, with tassel of fine
hair.
SIDES.--Deep.
RIBS.--Well sprung.
BELLY.--Full, but not flabby, with straight under line.
FLANK.--Thick and well let down.
QUARTERS.--Long and wide.
HAMS.--Broad, full, and deep to hocks.
COAT.--Long, fine, and silky.
ACTION.--Firm and free.
SKIN.--Fine, and quite free from wrinkles.
OBJECTIONS.--Black hairs, black or blue spots, a coarse mane, inbent
knees, hollowness at back of shoulders, wrinkled skin.
* * * * *
TAMWORTH
COLOUR.--Golden red hair on a flesh coloured skin, free from black.
HEAD.--Fairly long, snout moderately long and quite straight, face
slightly dished, wide between ears.
EARS.--Rather large, with fine fringe, carried rigid and inclined
slightly forward.
NECK.--Fairly long and muscular, especially in boar.
CHEST.--Wide and deep.
SHOULDERS.--Fine, slanting, and well set.
LEGS.--Strong and shapely, with plenty of bone and set well outside
body.
PASTERNS.--Strong and sloping.
FEET.--Strong, and of fair size.
BACK.--Long and straight.
LOIN.--Strong and broad.
TAIL.--Set on high and well tasselled.
SIDES.--Long and deep.
RIBS.--Well sprung and extending well up to flank.
BELLY.--Deep, with straight under line.
FLANK.--Full and well let down.
QUARTERS.--Long, wide, and straight from hip to tail.
HAMS.--Broad, and full, well let down to hocks.
COAT.--Abundant, long, straight, and fine.
ACTION.--Firm and free.
OBJECTIONS.--Black hair, very light or ginger hair, curly coat, coarse
mane, black spots on skin, slouch or drooping ears, short or turned up
snout, heavy shoulders, wrinkled skin, inbent knees, hollowness at back
of shoulders.
* * * * *
BERKSHIRE PIGS
COLOUR.--Black, with white on face, feet and tip of tail.
SKIN.--Fine, and free from wrinkles.
HAIR.--Long, fine, and plentiful.
HEAD.--Moderately short, face dished, snout broad; and wide between the
eyes and ears.
EARS.--Fairly large, carried erect or slightly inclined forward, and
fringed with fine hair.
NECK.--Medium length, evenly set on shoulders; jowl full and not heavy.
SHOULDERS.--Fine and well sloped backwards; free from coarseness.
BACK.--Long and straight, ribs well sprung, sides deep.
HAMS.--Wide and deep to hocks.
TAIL.--Set high, and fairly large.
FLANK.--Deep and well let down, and making straight under line.
LEGS AND FEET.--Short, straight, and strong, set wide apart, and hoofs
nearly erect.
IMPERFECTIONS.--A perfectly black face, foot, or tail. A white ear. A
crooked jaw. White or sandy spots, or white skin on the body. A rose
back. A very coarse mane, and inbent knees.
* * * * *
LARGE BLACK PIG
SCALE OF POINTS
HEAD.--Medium length and wide between the ears 5
EARS.--Thin, inclined well over the face, and not extending
beyond point of nose 4
JOWL.--Medium size 3
NECK.--Fairly long and muscular 3
CHEST.--Wide and deep 3
SHOULDERS.--Well developed, in line with the ribs 8
BACK.--Long and level 15
RIBS.--Well sprung 5
SIDES.--Very deep 8
LOIN.--Broad 5
BELLY AND FLANK.--Thick and well developed 7
QUARTERS.--Long, wide, and not drooping 8
HAMS.--Large and well filled to hocks 10
TAIL.--Set high, of moderate size 3
LEGS.--Short, straight, flat, and strong 5
SKIN AND COAT.--Fine and soft, with moderate quantity
of straight, silky hair 8
---
100
OBJECTIONS.--Head--narrow forehead or dished nose. Ears--thick, coarse,
or pricked. Coat--curly or coarse, with rose, bristly mane.
Skin--wrinkled.
DISQUALIFICATION.--Colour--any other than black.
* * * * *
LARGE WHITE ULSTER
SCALE OF POINTS
HEAD.--Moderately long, wide between the ears 5
EARS.--Long, thin, and inclined well over the face 6
JOWL.--Light 5
NECK.--Fairly long and muscular 2
CHEST.--Wide and deep 3
SHOULDERS.--Not coarse, oblique, narrow plate 8
LEGS.--Short, straight, and well set, level with the outside
of the body, with flat bone, not coarse 5
PASTERNS.--Straight 5
BACK.--Long and level (rising a little to centre of back
not objected to) 12
SIDES.--Very deep 10
RIBS.--Well sprung 5
LOIN.--Broad 3
QUARTERS.--Long, wide, and not drooping 8
HAMS.--Large and well filled to hocks 12
BELLY AND FLANK.--Thick and well filled 5
TAIL.--Well set and not coarse 1
SKIN.--Fine and soft 10
COAT.--Small quantity of fine silky hair 10
---
Total 100
OBJECTIONS.--Head--narrow forehead. Ears--thick, coarse, or pricked.
Coat--coarse or curly; bristly mane.
DISQUALIFICATION.--Colour--any other than white.
* * * * *
LINCOLNSHIRE CURLY-COATED PIG
SCALE OF POINTS
COLOUR.--White
FACE AND NECK.--Medium length and wide between the
eyes and ears 5
EARS.--Medium length, and not too much over face 10
JOWL.--Heavy 3
CHEST.--Wide and deep 3
SHOULDERS.--Wide 15
BACK.--Long and level 10
SIDES.--Very deep, and ribs well sprung 10
LOIN.--Broad 5
QUARTERS.--Long, wide, and not drooping 5
HAMS.--Large and well filled to hocks 15
TAIL.--Set high and thick 3
LEGS.--Short and straight 5
BELLY AND FLANK.--Thick and well filled 3
COAT.--Fair quantity of curly or wavy hair 8
---
100
OBJECTIONS.--Head--narrow forehead. Ears--Thin.
DISQUALIFICATIONS.--Ears--pricked. Nose--dished or long. Coat--coarse,
straight, or bristly. Colour of hair--any other than white.
* * * * *
THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE OLD SPOTS
HEAD.--Medium length and wide between the ears, nose wide and medium
length, slightly dished.
EARS.--Rather long and drooping.
JOWL.--Medium size.
NECK.--Fairly long and muscular.
CHEST.--Wide and deep.
SHOULDERS.--Well developed but not projecting and in line with ribs,
must not show any coarseness.
BACK.--Long and level.
RIBS.--Deep, well sprung.
LOIN.--Very broad.
SIDES.--Very deep and presenting straight bottom line.
BELLY AND FLANK.--Full and thick.
QUARTERS.--Long, wide, and not drooping.
TAIL.--Set high, of moderate size, yet fairly strong and long and
carrying brush.
HAMS.--Large, not too flat, and well filled to the hocks.
LEGS.--Short, straight and strong.
SKIN AND COAT.--Skin light or dark, must not show coloured splotches
otherwise than beneath the spots of the coat. The latter should be full
and fairly thick, hair long and silky but not curly, with an absence of
mane bristles. Colour: white spots on black ground, or black spots on
white ground. Such spots to be of medium size.
TEATS.--Minimum number of teats to be considered.
OBJECTIONS.--Head--narrow, face and nose both dished. Ears--thick,
floppy, coarse, or elevated. Coat--Coarse or curly with rose; bristly
mane, or decidedly sandy colour; skewbald or saddleback markings.
* * * * *
THE CUMBERLAND PIG
HEAD.--Fairly short, wide snout, dished face, wide between ears.
EARS.--Falling forward over face, long and thin.
JOWL.--Heavy.
NECK.--Fairly long and muscular.
CHEST.--Deep and wide.
SHOULDERS.--Deep and sloping into the back, blades not prominent, but in
line with ribs, not too wide on top.
BACK.--Long and level or with a slight arch from head to tail.
RIBS.--Deep and well sprung.
LOINS.--Broad and strong.
SIDES.--Deep.
BELLY AND FLANK.--Full and thick.
QUARTERS.--Long and level or with only very slight droop.
TAIL.--Set high, not coarse.
HAMS.--Very large and well filled to hocks.
LEGS.--Short, straight, and strong.
COLOUR.--White.
SKIN AND COAT.--Smooth; hair straight, fine, and silky and not too much
of it.
SIZE.--Large without coarseness.
DISQUALIFICATIONS.--Black spots, black hair, prick ears.
OBJECTIONS.--Blue spots.
* * * * *
[Illustration: _From a Painting by Wippell._
A BERKSHIRE SOW.
To face page 32.]
* * * * *
[Illustration: _Photo, Sport and General._
LARGE BLACK SOW, "SUDBOURNE SADIE."
Owner, K. M. Clark. 1st Prize and Champion, R. A. Show, Norwich.
To face page 33.]