Large White

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

The Large White is the British name for the breed known in the United States as Yorkshire (see Yorkshire). The British Pig Association is the official UK breed society and herd-book keeper.

Sources

British Pig Association. Breed Standard and Standards of Excellence — Large White. Updated Autumn 2013. Official PDF: https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/documents/bpa-standards-of-excellence-large-white.pdf (retrieved 19 August 2026). Index page: https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/breed-standards.

British Pig Association — Breed Standard and Standards of Excellence

LARGE WHITE

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 Prick ears Colour White

Breed Specific Disqualifications which make the pig ineligible for Herdbook Registration

         None

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.

The Standard of Excellence has been designed in the light of known requirements of the meat and breeding trades, bearing in mind the avoidance of excessive fat. All efforts to appraise the relative merits of pigs shall be made against a background of the killing-out value of the animal at the correct weight and age. The failure of an animal to reach the Standard of Excellence in some breed characteristics shall not outweigh its obvious value from a carcase point of view.

Head Moderately long, face slightly dished, light jowl, wide between the eyes and ears. Nose Broad and not too much turned up. Ears Long, prick ears, slightly forward and fringed with hair. Neck Clean, medium length and proportionately full to shoulders. Shoulders Medium to good width, displaying open shoulder blades when head down, free from coarseness and not too deep before maturity. Back Long with slightly arched back and wide from neck to rump. Ribs Well sprung to allow muscling. Loin Free from weakness. Tail Well set and strong Action Firm and free Hams Broad, well-muscled at the side and back and deep to hocks. Legs Straight, set well apart, plenty of bone and adequate length. Pasterns Short, strong and springy Feet Strong with even cleys Skin Fine and white. Coat Silky Underline At least fourteen sound and well-spaced teats free from supernumeraries For boars at least three on each side in front of the sheath.

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

Skin Wrinkles, and black and blue spots

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