Meishan

Duroc

This file reproduces official breed standards / eligibility requirements verbatim for research. No original standard is authored here.

The Duroc originated in the United States. The United Duroc Swine Registry, administered by the National Swine Registry, is the official US breed registry. The British Pig Association maintains the official UK herd book and standard of excellence.

Sources

  1. National Swine Registry / United Duroc Swine Registry. Duroc Eligibility Requirements. Updated by the board of directors of the United Duroc Swine Registry, March 2015. Published at https://nationalswine.com/pedigree/breed-eligibility.php and in the NSR breeds flyer https://nationalswine.com/events/downloads/docs/nsr_breeds_flyer.pdf (retrieved 19 August 2026).
  2. British Pig Association. Breed Standard and Standards of Excellence — Duroc. Updated Autumn 2013. Official PDF: https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/documents/bpa-standards-of-excellence-duroc.pdf (retrieved 19 August 2026). Index page: https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/breed-standards.

1. United Duroc Swine Registry — Eligibility Requirements

Updated by the board of directors of the United Duroc Swine Registry – March, 2015

  1. Duroc barrows or gilts exhibited as market animals:

    1. Must be red in color and possess Duroc breed character. Ears must be down.
    2. Must be ear notched within seven days of birth.
    3. Must NOT have any white hair located on the animal.
    4. Must NOT have any black hair located on the animal.
    5. Must NOT have more than three black spots on the skin, and none of these spots can be larger than two inches in diameter.
    6. Must NOT have any shading or indication of a belt.
    7. Must have no evidence of an extra dewclaw.
    8. Must be stress negative.
    9. There are no underline requirements to exhibit Duroc barrows or gilts as market animals.

  2. Duroc boars and gilts intended for breeding:

    1. Must meet the above requirements (except item 1.i.), along with the following to be eligible for recording and exhibition in a breeding animal class:

      1. The United Duroc Swine Registry (UDSR) will allow Durocs to be recorded with less than 12 teats. However, to be exhibited at breeding stock shows, Durocs must possess six or more functional teats on each side of the underline. Pin teats and inverted nipples are not considered functional.
      2. A boar must not have a physical defect (including but not limited to an adhered or tied penis, limp penis, infantile penis and coiling of the penis in the diverticulum), which would hinder proper delivery of semen, and the boar must extend his penis without physical manipulation excluding the expression of the sheath fluid; if a boar cannot meet the above requirements, his pedigree will be canceled.

NSR “Ideal Duroc Features” (from the NSR breeds flyer):

  1. Long, clean face
  2. Drooping ears
  3. Long, clean neck
  4. Big, even toes
  5. Wide based from front to rear
  6. Square, expressively muscled top
  7. Seven prominent, functional teats on each side that are well spaced
  8. Long side with good rib shape
  9. Durably constructed frame
  10. Long, deep muscular through all portions of the ham
  11. Hind legs that set down square with a flexible hock

2. British Pig Association — Breed Standard and Standards of Excellence

DUROC

Updated Autumn 2013

Section A - To be eligible for Herd Book entry a pig must (except in exceptional circumstances) be: - bred in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland - have at least 12 sound teats - ear-marked and birth recorded with the BPA in accordance with current regulations - the offspring of parents already registered either in the Herd Book of the same breed (or in a supplementary register of the Herd Book maintained at BPA’s discretion) - Free from congenital defects (e.g. Umbilical and Scrotal Hernias , Atresia Ani (blind anus), cryptorchid boars, extra cleys, twisted, overshot or undershot jaw and rose on the back) - conform to any other such regulations as are made by the BPA Council from time to time

In exceptional circumstances a pig which does not fulfil all the criteria above may be accepted for herdbook registration following an inspection.

Breed Specific Requirements for Herdbook Registration

Ears Semi-Lop ears Colour Light to deep Auburn.

Breed Specific Disqualifications (which make the pig ineligible for Herd Book Registration)

         Ears standing erect. Any white hair.
         Small cramped chest, and crease on the back of the shoulders/ over back so as to cause an easily noticed depression in the back. Seriously deformed legs, or badly broken down feet.

Section B – Standard of Excellence – (These are recommendations only - breeders should try to achieve these standards in their breeding programmes. Pigs will be judged against these standards of excellence at BPA shows).

General The Duroc is primarily a Terminal Sire capable of thriving in extremes of weather and emphasis should be placed on muscling and coat strength

Head Head small in proportion to size of body, wide between eyes which are lively, bright and prominent, surface smooth and even. Nose Face nicely dished and tapering well down to the nose; Ears Medium, moderately thin, pointing forward, downward, slightly outward & with a slight curve. Neck Short, thick and very deep and slightly arching. Full, broad and neat Jowl. Shoulders Moderately broad, very deep and full, carrying thickness well down and not extending above line of back. Chest Large, very deep, filled full behind shoulders, breast-bone extending well forward so as to be readily seen. Back Back medium in breadth, straight or slightly arching, carrying even width from shoulder to ham, giving impression of a slightly low set tail, surface even and smooth. Ribs Ribs long, strong and sprung in proportion to width of shoulders and hams. Loin Carrying even width from shoulder to ham. Sides Sides very deep, medium in length, level between shoulders and hams. Hams Broad, full and well let down to the hock. Rumps should have a round slope from loin to root of tail. Legs Of medium length, with good strong bone (especially boars). Feet to be strong and well supported on the pasterns. Gait to be free and fluid. Skin Skin – White to pink to light grey. Hair – Light to deep Auburn. Coat Thick in winter, fine (moulted) in summer, no coarse and curly hair Underline Underline straight with a least 12 sound teats placed well forward. Flank well down to lower line of sides.

Breed Specific Objections – Breeders should try to avoid these in their breeding programmes

None

Pigs must comply with Section A. Breeders should aspire to breed pigs which meet the Standards of Excellence in Section B. More information is available in the BPA leaflet – Pedigree Breeding the Next Steps.

British Pig Association, Trumpington Mews, 40b High Street, Trumpington, Cambridge, CB2 2LS Tel: 01223 845100 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.britishpigs.org Updated Autumn 2013