About the breed

The Oxford Sandy and Black Pig, also referred to as the 'Plum Pudding' or 'Oxford Forest Pig', is one of the oldest British breeds. It has existed for some 200-300 years.

A traditional farmers/cottagers pig especially around Oxfordshire, no one is sure if it was a result of cross-breeding between the old Berkshire and Tamworth pigs or cross-breeding with an entirely different breed.

The breed in the past had no society or herd book to look after its well being and extinction was a real possibility when numbers declined. Back in the 1940s boar licensing dropped to just one or two a year and without dedicated breeders the breed would have been lost altogether.

In 1973 the Rare Breed Survival Trust was formed and it was hoped this would safeguard the breed. However, the Trust dd not recognise the breed and its decline continued to the brink of extinction until 1985 when the current Oxford Sandy and Black Pig Society was formed. Sadly some of the bloodlines have been lost but today's breeders are determined to save the remaining lines.

The breed has many good qualities, including an excellent temperament and superb mothering skills. Prolific and hardy it is suited to an outdoor environment, they are good foragers and as they are a coloured pig with a good coat they are far less prone to sunburn than other breeds.

Their colours range from light sand to rust with black blotches (not spots).

Oxford Sandy and Black Pigs are an ideal choice for the first-time pig keeper.