Buyers Guides
Oxford Sandy & Black
Oxford Sandy and Black
The Oxford Sandy and Black has enjoyed a resurgence of late.
The Oxford Sandy and Black pig is also known as the 'plum pudding pig' or the 'Oxford forest pig' and is an attractive, docile pig. A traditional farmers and cottagers pig, the exact origin of the breed is lost in antiquity. It is believed however to have developed in Oxfordshire some 3 centuries ago.
These pigs have been on the brink of extinction a couple of times but the hard work of a few dedicated breeders maintained the numbers. These pigs have enjoyed a resurgence in numbers in recent years.
Read on to learn more about keeping this breed, the BPA's conservation efforts and much more!
Buyers Guide
This was a breed that was once on the verge of disappearing completely but thanks to the work of a few it survived and has grown in popularity. The Oxford Sandy and Black is a docile, hardy and prolific pig and therefore a great pig for first time keepers.
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Me and my pigs
Josh Farrell, an enthusiast who manages to combine his life-long interest in pigs with a rewarding and fulfilling career with his herd of Oxford Sandy and Blacks at Nightingale Community Academy in Tooting, South London.
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Conservation
The Oxford Sandy and Black whilst enjoying some popularity at present with a good spread of different bloodlines across the country requires some breed improvement in some lines to ensure the quality of the breeding stock.
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Breed Standard
Thinking about buying an Oxford Sandy & Black? Find out more about the essential characteristics that define the breed.
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Breed History
The breed has existed for 200 to 300 years.
The breed has reached crisis point at least twice in it’s past when numbers dropped so low that extinction was a real possibility.
As long ago as the 1940’s boar licensing had dropped to one or two a year for OSB’s. But for a few dedicated breeders the breed would surely have been lost.
There were 29 herds listed in the first herd book with 15 Boars and 62 Sows. Sadly some of the bloodlines have been lost, but today’s dedicated breeders are determined to save the remaining lines.
The British Pig Association (BPA) exists to conserve our rare breed pigs, promote our pedigree breeds and ensure breed longevity.