large black pig large black occasionally called devon breed domestic pig native great_britain particularly devon cornwall essex accurately named large breed british pig entirely black hardy pig known having large litters breed foraging ability particularly useful extensive farming poor candidate intensive farming combined local black pig breeds founding breed association variations types areas decreased popular early 1900s exported areas world population numbers declined second world war farmers turned breeds suitable intensive pig farming 1960s breed extinct numbers slowly risen considered vulnerable rare breeds survival trust history resulted amalgamation black pigs geographically separate areas devon cornwall south west england east pigs eastern england mainly essex influenced china late 18th century devon cornwall probably closely related pigs mainland europe particularly france devon pigs originally selected length bodies ears tail hair longer better reference quality substance selective breeding brought improvements breed type small thick bodied good constitution alternative origins proposed black colour breed black guinea imported africa similar pigs late 19th century grew popularity breed association formed trademark consisting letters shield registered herd book large black pigs published large black pigs devon cornwall combined remnants smaller black east breeds numbers fallen sustainable levels considerable variations types areas breeding stock exchanged general achieved 1920s modern times large black royal year large blacks entered breed popularity breed peaked 1920s world war population numbers declined farmers began favour pig breeds intensive indoor farming breed association merged later report development pig production united_kingdom published main conclusions pig farms poorly placed compete european producers diversity local breeds obstacle progress british pig farmers focus breeds welsh large white report initiated period decline british pig breeds including large black time rare breeds survival trust founded numbers traditional pig breeds dangerously low extinct placed trust endangered list countries spread britain exported mainland europe africa oceania exports australia chosen pig ability thrive hot weather foraging abilities represented percent australia pig population raised mainly breeders victoria south australia tasmania breed population continued percent total population slight increase world war decrease zero new 1980s exports 1920s population country point imports necessary today small found descend pigs imported canada australia south_africa characteristics long deep bodied pig known extensive farming best suited pasture based farming strong foraging grazing ability efficiently converts poor quality feed meat pig breed britain black helps protect pig sunny climates breed easily contained fencing partly large ears obscure vision help protect face eyes animal foraging especially dirt breed known long periods fertility strong maternal instincts birth large litter known litters note listed having produced litters largest number litters recorded pig weigh pounds pounds results loss fertility breed larger years early 1900s weights averaged pounds larger peak popularity mainly meat production especially bacon meat known lean quality flavour excess fat commercial production crossed yorkshire middle white pigs producing vigorous hybrid regarded farmers today commercial favour black skin conservation status large black pigs recorded licensed registered representing approximately pig population end large black pigs registered small increase figure historic pig breed britain numbers slowly rise increase demand meat traditional pig breeds classified vulnerable rare breeds survival trust meaning believed breeding females currently recognizes lines lines breed rare breeds trust australia listed status critical meaning australian pure bred pig herd book fewer year estimated large black population united_states breeding lists status critical means fewer animals registered year united_states estimated fewer worldwide population pigs stood conservation sake genetic diversity livestock breed coming seen good option fulfilling needs increasing number consumers interested pasture raised pork canada identified single remaining canadian herd included breed conservation endangered fewer animals country
Large Black pig