Breed · Pig breed
Gloucestershire Old Spots
Sus scrofa domesticus
Also known as: Old Spots, GOS
The Gloucestershire Old Spots is a white, black-spotted English pig with large lop ears, traditionally a hardy pasture and orchard pig. It is a dual-purpose heritage breed of ongoing conservation interest.
Record
Livestock breed- Breed of
- Pigs
- Species
- Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus)
- Type
- Dual-purpose
- Origin
- Berkeley Vale, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom
- Recognition
- Registered
- Conservation status
- Not establishedReported per source and date (e.g. FAO DAD-IS); not a fixed property of the breed.
- Registries
- FAO DAD-IS · Global · as of 2026-07-12Breed recorded in the global inventory of livestock breeds.
- The Livestock Conservancy · United States · as of 2026-07-12A heritage breed tracked in U.S. conservation contexts; consult the current priority list for the present category.
- Adaptation
- Hardy and thrifty, well suited to outdoor and pasture-based systems in temperate climates; the pale skin benefits from shade and wallows in strong sun.
- Primary uses
- Pork and bacon production, Heritage and pasture-based systems
Registry listing or variety protection is jurisdiction- and date-specific and does not by itself indicate current commercial availability, universal cultivation approval, patent status, or a recommendation.
The Gloucestershire Old Spots is a traditional English pig breed from the Berkeley Vale of Gloucestershire, recognised by its white coat with distinctive black spots and its large, forward-hanging lop ears. It is often nicknamed the "orchard pig" from its historical association with being kept on pasture and in orchards.
A docile, hardy, and thrifty breed, the Gloucestershire Old Spots is valued as a dual-purpose pig for pork and bacon and for its foraging and grazing ability. It is maintained by a dedicated breeders’ club and is tracked by conservation organisations.
Origin and tradition
The breed developed in the Berkeley Vale of Gloucestershire as a hardy farm pig kept on pasture, orchards, and dairy by-products. Its dedicated pedigree herd book is among the oldest for a spotted pig, and the breed is maintained today largely by heritage and outdoor producers. Traditional Gloucestershire Old Spots pork also holds a recognised protected food designation in the United Kingdom.
Physical characteristics
- White coat marked with one or more well-defined black spots.
- Large lop ears that hang forward over the face.
- Deep, hardy frame with a docile temperament and good foraging ability.
Production and conservation
As a dual-purpose pig, the Gloucestershire Old Spots produces pork and bacon and is suited to extensive, pasture-based systems thanks to its hardiness and grazing habit. It is a heritage breed monitored by conservation bodies in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Relationships
Evidence-backed connections in the knowledge graph.
Farming systems
Scope & limitations
Geographic scope: Global; an English heritage breed maintained mainly in the UK and US. Husbandry and regulation vary by country.
Climate context: Hardy heritage pig suited to outdoor, pasture-based temperate systems with shade and wallows.
- This is a breed characterisation, not husbandry, breeding, or veterinary guidance.
- Performance and carcass figures are highly system- and management-dependent and are described only qualitatively here.
- Conservation status is left as unknown: the breed is widely regarded as a heritage breed of conservation interest, but categories are date- and organisation-specific — consult current FAO DAD-IS and conservation listings.
Sources
This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.
- [1]DAD-IS — Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Cited for: Breed record and characterisation in the global inventory
- Type:
- Official registry
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- [2]The Livestock Conservancy — breed conservation priority list (opens in a new tab)High
The Livestock Conservancy
Cited for: Conservation context for a heritage pig breed
- Type:
- Official registry
- Jurisdiction:
- United States
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- Moderate
Cited for: General background on the Gloucestershire Old Spots pig
- Type:
- Reference database
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12