Berkshire (pig)

The Berkshire pig is a breed of pig from the UK.

Breeding history

Berkshire pigs are considered the oldest breed in Britain. They are originally from the area around the towns of Faringdon and Wantage, at that time still belonged to the county of Berkshire (now Oxfordshire ). Obviously, they were popular after they were 'discovered' by Oliver Cromwell's troops have been while they were stationed in the English Civil War in Reading. Today the breed is one of the endangered breeds of farm animals.

The Japanese breeding line of the Berkshire pig is known as Kurobuta (黒 豚, black pig) known. The Berkshire pigs were originally in the 18th century brought as a gift of British diplomats to Japan. The marbled meat is highly valued analogous to the Kobe beef.

Characteristics

• Color black, often with white spots on the legs, face, ear tips and tail
• Arched trunk, medium
• Ears standing or bent slightly forward, relatively large
• Delicate, wrinkle -free neck
• Curved shoulder
• Belly line straight
• Foundation short, straight
• Precocious

Berkshire pigs in literature

• Empress of Blandings by P. G. Wodehouse
• Pigling Bland by Beatrix Potter
• Napoleon in Animal Farm by George Orwell
• Marchioness of Hogsford in "Professor van Dusen lets the pig out " by Michael Koser