Types of Swine

There are 8 major swine breeds in the United States. They are: Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, Poland China, Spots, and Yorkshire.

Berkshire - The Berkshire breed is a pure breed that can be traced directly back to England. Berkshire pigs are those that can be traced back to hogs directly imported from established Berkshire herds in England. Berkshire hogs are black and white.

Chester White - Chester White hogs are very popular in the United States and are preferred by both producers and packers. The sows are known for their mothering abilities and the size of the litters. The Chester White breed originated in Chester County, Pennsylvania where a white boar imported from England sometime between 1815 and 1818 was used to develop this white breed of hogs. Chester White hogs are all white.

Duroc - Duroc hogs are a solid color, ranging from a very light golden color to a more common dark red - almost mahogany - color.

Hampshire - The Hampshire breed is one of the oldest early American breeds of hogs. Hampshire hogs are a meat-type hog, imported to America from Hampshire County in England sometime between 1825 and 1835. Hampshire hogs are characterized by the white belt around the front of the black body.

Landrace - White-haired hogs, the Landrace breed is descended from hogs developed in Denmark. Landrace sows are known for the size of their litters, their milk-producing abilities, and their good mothering traits. The ears of Landrace hogs are often floppy and can cover the eyes. The Landrace breed has a long body length but the arch of the back is almost flat in these hogs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture received a shipment of Danish Landrace in 1934 and developed new breeds from that shipment.

Poland China - The Poland China breed was formed by the crossing and re-crossing of many different swine breeds. Among the different breeds, the Poland China stands out for maximum weight at any given age.

Spots - The Spot has large black and white spots all over its body. The Spot traces part of its ancestry back to the Poland China breed. Spots are fast-gaining, known for their feed efficiency and meat qualities. The females are productive and gentle.

Yorkshire - The Yorkshire breed is a white breed of large hogs, a source of good, durable sows producing lean, high-performing pigs. The breed originated in England and is thought to have been brought to Ohio in the United States around 1830.

*For more information, check out Breeds of Livestock from the Department of Animal Science at  Oklahoma State University.