Middle White Pigs for sale

Middle White Pig are native to the United Kingdom. They originated in Yorkshire around the same time as the Large White. Their name comes from the fact that they are between the size of the Large White and the now-extinct Small White.

Middle White Pigs were fully recognized as a breed in 1884. The breed is known as a pork producer (rather than bacon or lard type pigs), and are best known for having sharply upturned snub noses. They are docile and often kept outdoors in grazing situations. Though their numbers have rebounded somewhat, they are currently listed as endangered.

Middle white is a white pig of a medium size. It is related to the Large and Small White, which is now extinct. It is thought that Middle white might be a cross between the Small white and Large White, both breeds which have their origins in Yorkshire. The creation of a new type came about after an incident at the 1852 Knightley Agricultural Show, when pigs belonging to Joseph Tuley, a weaver, were refused entry to the Large White class as they were considered too small. This was due to the fact they had been crossed with the Small White.

Tuley’s pigs were, however, considered good enough that a new breed was created, the Middle White, which went on to be one of the most popular breeds of pig during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. It was recognized as a separate breed in 1882. Between the first two World Wars the Middle White breed was the first choice for butchers, particularly in London, where the trade demanded top quality pork from a lightweight carcass. After the Second World War government policy directed all pigs towards the bacon market and therefore the specialist pork breeds became less popular. There was a decline after Second World War after change in pork tastes although interestingly it is still incredibly popular in Japan. It is currently on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust due to its status as a breed at Risk. It is listed as vulnerable. There are currently 419 pedigree sows registered as of 2011.