Hampshire (pig)

The Hampshire pig is a domestic swine breed identified by its black body with a whitish belt around its middle, covering its front legs. Additionally, it exhibits the erect ears characteristic of the 'shire' breeds (that is to say, the swine breeds whose names end in 'shire').

The National Swine Registry notes that this is the third "most recorded breed" of pigs in the United States, and likely the oldest American breed of hogs today. It is thought that importations of this hog breed were made from Hampshire county in England between 1827 and 1839 [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/] , the county providing the basis for the name of the breed.

Hampshire hogs have been noted for being well-muscled and rapid growers [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0003805] and for exhibiting good carcass quality in their capacity as meat animals. When used as breeding stock, the sows of this breed have been praised for their capacity as mothers, having "extra longevity in the sow". Hampshires are good tempered, and they have a good taste to them, although they are not as good as a Berkshire in taste. A Hampshire does not grow as fast as a cross bred, but they do grow faster than a Yorkshire. [http://www.nationalswine.com/industryreference/indrefswinebrHamp.html]

External links

* [http://www.nationalswine.com/industryreference/indrefswinebrHamp.html National Swine Registry: Hampshire]
* [http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/ Breeds of Livestock: Swine]
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0003805 The Canadian Encyclopedia: Hog Farming]