British Saddleback

This file reproduces official breed standards verbatim for research. No original standard is authored here.

The British Saddleback is a British breed (Essex and Wessex Saddleback combined). The British Pig Association is the official breed society and herd-book keeper.

Sources

1. British Pig Association. Breed Standard and Standards of Excellence — British Saddleback. Updated Autumn 2013. Official PDF: https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/documents/bpa-standards-of-excellence-british-saddleback.pdf (retrieved 19 August 2026). Index page: https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/breed-standards.

British Pig Association — Breed Standard and Standards of Excellence

BRITISH SADDLEBACK

Updated Autumn 2013

Section A - To be eligible for Herd Book entry a pig must (except in exceptional circumstances) be: - bred in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland - have at least 12 sound teats - ear-marked and birth recorded with the BPA in accordance with current regulations - the offspring of parents already registered either in the Herd Book of the same breed (or in a supplementary register of the Herd Book maintained at BPA’s discretion) - Free from congenital defects (e.g. Umbilical and Scrotal Hernias , Atresia Ani (blind anus), cryptorchid boars, extra cleys, twisted, overshot or undershot jaw and rose on the back) - conform to any other such regulations as are made by the BPA Council from time to time

In exceptional circumstances a pig which does not fulfil all the criteria above may be accepted for herdbook registration following an inspection.

Breed Specific Requirements for Herdbook Registration

Ears Carried forward Colour Black and white with a continuous belt of white hair encircling the shoulders and fore legs White is permissible on nose, tip of the tail and the hind legs but no higher than the hock.

Breed Specific Disqualifications which make the pig ineligible for Herdbook Registration

Colour An animal not possessing a continuous belt of white hair over the shoulders and fore legs Chocolate or red coloured White hair on the face or body outside the band over shoulders and fore legs, and tip of tail

Section B – Standard of Excellence – These are recommendations only - breeders should try to achieve these standards in their breeding programmes. Pigs will be judged against these standards of excellence at BPA shows.

Head Medium length, face very slightly dished, under-jaw clean-cut and free from jowl Medium width between ears. Ears Medium size, curbing but not obscuring vision. Neck Clean and of medium length Shoulders Medium width, free from coarseness, not too deep. Chest Wide and not too deep Back Long and straight Ribs Well sprung Loin Broad and strong and free from slackness. Sides Long and medium depth. Hams Broad, full and well-filled to hocks. Legs Strong with good bone, straight, well-set on each corner of the body.. Feet Strong and of good size. Coat Fine, silky and straight. Underline Straight; with at least twelve sound, evenly spaced and well-placed teats starting well forward Action Firm and free

Breed Specific Objections – Breeders should try to avoid these in their breeding programmes

Ears Pricked or floppy Head Badger face, short or turned up snout. Skin Coarse or wrinkled. Hair Curly or coarse coat, coarse mane Teats Unsound or unevenly placed teats.

Pigs must comply with Section A. Breeders should aspire to breed pigs which meet the Standards of Excellence in Section B. More information is available in the BPA leaflet – Pedigree Breeding the Next Steps.

British Pig Association, Trumpington Mews, 40b High Street, Trumpington, Cambridge, CB2 2LS Tel: 01223 845100 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.britishpigs.org Updated Autumn 2013