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A Brief History of the Saddleback Breed
The British Saddleback was recognised in 1967 when the Wessex
Saddleback and the Essex breeds were amalgamated. The Wessex
Saddleback dates back to 1918 when its first herd book was
published. The Essex too began the same year.
The Essex obviously developed in that part of the country, on the
southern side of East Anglia. It was said, when the two breeds
existed side by side that the Essex was the gent’s pig and the
Wessex the farmer’s choice. In other words, the Essex was considered
more of a fancy breed.
The Wessex Saddleback hails from around the Isle of Purbeck where
Hampshire and Dorset meet and could reasonably claim the title of
the New Forest pig. It was from stock of Wessex pigs exported to the
USA that the American Hampshire breed was developed although today,
apart from the colour markings, there is very little similarity
between the breeds.
• Related:
Saddleback Photograph Gallery
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