Pigs: Hampshire

Country of Origin

USA

Australian Status

International Status

History

The Hampshire Breed has been developed in the United States of America and is heavily represented in its national herd. In some respects the Hampshire can be regarded as a ‘British Native’ Breed, as the original breeding stock was imported from Wessex, UK in 1832 (showing similar origin to the Wessex Saddleback), the date being recorded in the “Hampshire Blue Book” published in 1928.
From the time of its arrival in the USA until 1890 the breed was called “The Thin Rind” breed, due to the abundance of lean meat it produced.

At a meeting of American breeders in 1890, the breed was renamed the Hampshire, as the original pigs were imported from a farm in Hampshire, Wessex, UK. A Breed Society was established at the same time and herd book recording can be traced for more than 100 years.

History in Australia

The Hampshire wasn’t imported until the eighties and there is evidence that it was used in the” improvement” of Saddlebacks. Mainly used as a terminal sire it is now the most critically rare breed in Australia. Fortunately, a few dedicated breeders are working together to try and consolidate the lines that are left.

Breed Organisation

Australian Pig Breeders Associationy

Australian Population

2025: 42 registrations, 3 herds

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