Conservation status Extinct Country of origin United Kingdom | Other names Bilsdale Blue | |
Similar Cumberland pig, Modern Langshan, Vaynol cattle, Devon Closewool, Shetland duck | ||
The Yorkshire Blue and White pig, also known as the Bilsdale Blue, was a breed of domestic pig originating in the United Kingdom. It is now considered extinct.
Characteristics and history
The Blue and White was a small breed of pig originating in the North Riding of Yorkshire, where it had some relationship to the Large White pig which was developed in the same county. As its name suggested it had retained prominent blue spots on the skin that had been progressively bred out of other white pigs. Until the mid 20th century, the Blue and White remained popular with small farmers due to its hardy characteristics, but was little known outside the North Riding and was nationally rare.
By 1954 there were only 3 boars licensed. The breed appears to have become extinct before the 1973 establishment of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.