Welsh

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

The Welsh is a native British breed. The British Pig Association is the official breed society and herd-book keeper.

Sources

British Pig Association. Breed Standard and Standards of Excellence — Welsh. Updated Spring 2015. Official PDF: https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/documents/bpa-standards-of-excellence-welsh.pdf (retrieved 19 August 2026). Index page: https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/breed-standards.

British Pig Association — Breed Standard and Standards of Excellence

WELSH

Updated Spring 2015

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 Lopped Colour White.

Breed Specific Disqualifications which make the pig ineligible for Herdbook Registration

              None

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. The ideal Welsh pig is pear shaped when viewed from both the sides and the top. The failure of a pig to reach the standard of Excellence in some breed characteristics shall not outweigh its obvious value from a carcase point of view.

Head Light, fine and fairly wide between the ears which should tend to meet at the tips, short of a straight nose (not dished). Clean, light jowl. Neck Clean, fairly light, medium length, proportionally and evenly set on the shoulders Shoulders Light, but with forelegs set well apart, somewhat flat topped and shoulder leading into really well sprung ribs. Lack of depth down through the shoulders and chest is most important. Back Long, strong and level, with well sprung ribs giving a fairly wide mid-back. The tail should be thick and free from depression at root Loin Well muscled, firm and well developed, the belly and flank to be thick, the underline straight Hind Quarters Strong with hams full and thick whether viewed from the back or sides and full to the hocks but not flabby Legs Of adequate length, straight, well set apart with short pasterns and good strong bone Skin White, fine and free from wrinkles. Coat Straight and fine. Action Pigs should be active, alert and move freely and easily. Underline A minimum of fourteen, sound and evenly spaced teats. Boars should have at least three pairs of teats forward of the sheath

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

Coat Blue spots are undesirable

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 Spring 2015