Gloucestershire Old Spots

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

Sources

British Pig Association. Breed Standard and Standards of Excellence — Gloucestershire Old Spots. Updated Autumn 2013. Official PDF: https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/documents/bpa-standards-of-excellence-gloucestershire-old-spot.pdf (retrieved 19 August 2026). Index page: https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/breed-standards. The BPA is the official UK breed society and herd-book keeper for Gloucestershire Old Spots.

British Pig Association — Breed Standard and Standards of Excellence

GLOUCESTERSHIRE OLD SPOTS

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 Lop ears Colour At least one spot of black hair on black skin.

Breed Specific Disqualifications which make the pig ineligible for Herdbook Registration

Coat Sandy Colour may disqualify A line of mane bristles is objectionable. Sandy colour may disqualify.

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.

Head Medium length. Nose Medium length and slightly dished Ears Well set apart, dropping forward to nose, not at the sides, not thick or coarse, not longer than nose. Neck Medium length with jowl little pronounced. Shoulders Fine but not raised. Back Long and level; should not drop behind shoulders Ribs Deep, well sprung Loin Very broad. Sides Deep, presenting straight bottom line. Belly and flank full thick. Well-filled line from ribs to hams. Quarters Long and wide with thick tail set well up. Hams Large and well filled to hocks. Legs Straight and strong. Skin Must not show coarseness or wrinkles. Coat Silky and not curly. No mane bristles. Not less than one clean decisive spot of black hair on black skin. Black should not predominate. Underline Straight; with a minimum of fourteen, evenly spaced and well-placed teats starting well forward

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

Ears Short , thick and elevated. Coat A line of mane bristles is objectionable. Skin Serious wrinkles. Blue undertone not associated with a spot. Legs Crooked. Neck Heavy jowl objectionable.

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 9LS Tel: 01223 845100 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.britishpigs.org Updated Autumn 2013