Standards of Excellence
Section A: To be eligible for Herdbook 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 Herdbook of the same breed (or in a supplementary register of the Herd book maintained at
- BPA's discretion)
- - free from congenital defects (eg Umbilical and Scrotal Hernias, Atresia Ani (blind anus), Cryptorchid boars, extra cleys, twisted, overshot or
- undershot jaw or rose on the back) - conform to any other such regulations as made by the BPA Council from time to time.
In exceptional circumstances a pig which does not fulfill 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 permissable on nose, tip of the tail and the hind legs but no higher than the hock. |
Breed Specific Disqualificiations 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. |
Section B: Standards 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, undejaw clean-cut and free from jowl. Medium width between ears. |
EARS | Medium size, carried forward, curving 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. |
LOIN | Broad and strong and free from slackness. |
RIBS | Well sprung. |
SIDES | Long and medium depth. |
HAMS | Broad, full and well-filled to the hocks. |
UNDERLINE | Straight with at least twelve sound, evenly spaced and well-placed teats starting well forward. |
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. |
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 - The First Steps