Best breeds for particular purposes

Best regional pigs: Berkshire

Regional breeds were developed to suit the conditions of their local area, helping them to survive in times of hardship.

Berkshire
A black, prick-eared pig with white-tipped ears, nose and feet. It’s thought that its larger and coarser ancestor was first referred to by Cromwell’s troops during the Civil War.
Today, Berkshires include Chinese and Siamese blood and are therefore smaller, but they still have the character and confidence of a pig twice their size.
Like all coloured breeds, they have experienced a serious decline in numbers, but the new taste for traditional meats means they are regaining popularity.