Large White Pig

The Large White is a British breed of domestic pig that originated in Yorkshire in northern England. It descends from the old Large Yorkshire, developed in the nineteenth century partly through crossing with Chinese pigs, a lineage that also produced the related Small White and Middle White breeds; the Large White kept the least Asian influence of the three. It is a large white pig with erect ears and a slightly dished face, and its sows are known for large litters and abundant milk. The breed was shown publicly as early as 1851, gained official recognition in 1868 and established its own herd-book in 1884. Today the Large White is one of the most numerous pig breeds in the world, widely used in crossbreeding for intensive commercial pig farming, and it is the ancestor of the American Yorkshire breed.