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Characteristics

Weight: Male 617 lb (280 kg); female 480 lb (220 kg).

Colour: Black with white socks and tip of tail; white flash on the face.

Pricked up ears.

The Berkshire pig was “discovered” by Oliver Cromwell and his troops whilst overwintering near Reading, England. A native of the British Isles, this is also reputed to be its oldest breed. It was improved in the 1700s, with the introduction of Chinese and Siamese breeds. This bloodline has remained pure for more than 200 years. The original Berkshire was reddish or sandy coloured, and occasionally spotted. If you look closely at today’s Berkshire, sand-coloured hair is sometimes found hidden amongst the white patches. The theory is the breed is at its best when given good food and good housing. Yet in New Zealand, where early settlers established the breed, it wanders at will and is more inclined to graze.

In the 1800s, the royal family bred Berkshire pigs at Windsor Castle and presented them to the Japanese imperial family. Pork quickly became a delicacy in Japan. In Japanese restaurants today, “kurobuta pork” comes exclusively from the Berkshire pig.