The Duroc pig is an older
breed of
domestic pig
The pig (''Sus domesticus''), often called swine, hog, or domestic pig when distinguishing from other members of the genus '' Sus'', is an omnivorous, domesticated, even-toed, hoofed mammal. It is variously considered a subspecies of ''Sus ...
. The breed was developed in the United States and formed the basis for many mixed-breed commercial hogs. Duroc pigs are reddish-brown and golden yellow, large-framed, medium length, and muscular, with partially-drooping ears. They tend to be one of the least aggressive of all swine breeds raised for meat.
Origins and history
The breed, one of several red pig strains which developed around 1800 in
New England
New England is a region comprising six states in the Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is bordered by the state of New York (state), New York to the west and by the Can ...
, originated in Africa. One theory is that the pigs were imported from the Guinea coast of Africa at the time of the slave trade. Another suggestion is that the red color came from the
Berkshire pig
The Berkshire is an English breed of pig. It originated in the county of Berkshire, for which it is named. It is normally black, with some white on the snout, on the lower legs, and on the tip of the tail.
It is a rare breed in the United Kin ...
from Britain, a breed that is now black, but at that time was rusty brown. Another influence on the breed may have been four shoats from Spain and Portugal that were imported around 1837, but it is unclear whether these formed part of the breed's ancestry.
The breed is said to have been named for a stallion belonging to Harry Kelsey in New York state (1820s) or that "the breed was named after a race horse and he in turn was named after Napoleon's Aide, Gen.
Christoph Duroc. . . ."
The modern Duroc originated circa 1850 from crosses of the Jersey Red and New York's older Duroc. The breed started being used in
shows around the 1950s. Durocs are predominantly kept for their meat, and are appreciated for their hardiness and quick but thorough muscle growth.
[
The first pig to have its genome sequenced was a female Duroc named T.J. Tabasco.]
Characteristics
Originally, the Duroc was a very large pig, but not as large as was the Jersey Red. Today, it is a medium-sized breed with a moderately long body and a slightly-dished face. The ears are drooping and not held erect. The color is often an orangish-brown, but ranges from a light-golden shade to a deep mahogany-red.[ The weight of a mature boar is about 882 pounds, and the sow is about 772 pounds.
]
References
External links
Duroc profile and eligibility requirements
for the National Swine Registry
{{Pig breeds of Canada and the United States
Pig breeds originating in the United States