Breed · Pig breed
Large White
Sus scrofa domesticus
Also known as: Yorkshire
The Large White, known as the Yorkshire in North America, is a white, erect-eared English pig breed and one of the most important maternal lines in commercial pig production worldwide.
Record
Livestock breed- Breed of
- Pigs
- Species
- Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus)
- Type
- Dual-purpose
- Origin
- Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
- Recognition
- Registered
- Conservation status
- Not at riskReported 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.
- Adaptation
- A widely adapted breed kept across many climates, predominantly in housed and semi-intensive systems; white skin can be sun-sensitive in intense outdoor conditions.
- Primary uses
- Maternal (dam) line in commercial crossbreeding, Pork and bacon production
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 Large White originated in Yorkshire, England, and is one of the foundation breeds of modern commercial pig production. In North America the breed is generally called the Yorkshire. It is prized as a maternal (dam) line for prolificacy, good mothering, and longevity, and is a core component of the hybrid sow lines used in the pork industry.
It is a large, long-bodied white pig with erect ears and a slightly dished face, historically valued as a dual-purpose bacon and pork breed. Its adaptability and combining ability have made it one of the most widely distributed pig breeds in the world.
Origin and role
Developed in Yorkshire and standardised in British herd books, the Large White spread internationally to become a cornerstone of commercial pig breeding. It is widely used as a maternal line, frequently crossed with the Landrace to produce prolific hybrid sows that are then mated to terminal sire breeds.
Physical characteristics
- Large, long-bodied, and white-skinned with a fine white coat.
- Erect ears and a slightly dished ("concave") facial profile.
- Robust frame associated with good structural soundness and longevity.
Production characteristics
The Large White is valued primarily for maternal traits — prolificacy, milking and mothering ability, and durability — as well as for good growth and lean carcass qualities. These attributes underpin its central place in hybrid dam lines.
Relationships
Evidence-backed connections in the knowledge graph.
Adapted to climate
Farming systems
Scope & limitations
Geographic scope: Global; an English breed that is a foundation of worldwide commercial pig production. Husbandry and regulation vary by country.
Climate context: Broadly adapted, mainly housed or semi-intensive; sun-sensitive skin warrants shade outdoors.
- This is a breed characterisation, not husbandry, breeding, or veterinary guidance.
- Performance figures are highly line- and management-dependent and are described only qualitatively here.
- FAO DAD-IS conservation status is assessed per national population; the not-at-risk assessment reflects the breed’s status as a major global commercial line.
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
- Moderate
Cited for: General background on the Large White (Yorkshire) pig
- Type:
- Reference database
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12