The Swedish Landrace is the leading breed of

pig The pig (''Sus domesticus''), also called swine (: swine) or hog, is an omnivorous, domesticated, even-toed, hoofed mammal. It is named the domestic pig when distinguishing it from other members of the genus '' Sus''. Some authorities cons ...

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. At , Sweden is the largest Nordic count ...

. They have heavy drooping ears and a white coat. The Swedish strain of the

Landrace pig The term Landrace pig, or Landrace swine, refers to any of a group of standardized breeds of domestic pig, and in this context, the word "Landrace" is typically capitalized. The original breed by this name was the Danish Landrace pig, from whic ...

originated from importations from neighboring countries, particularly

Denmark Denmark is a Nordic countries, Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark,, . also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the Autonomous a ...

. The Swedish Landrace have attracted attention in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

and other nations in recent years.

Characteristics

The Swedish Landrace was largely derived from the Danish Landrace and has similar characteristics. It is a medium-to-large pig with a long body. It is white, and is scantily clad with short hairs. The snout is long, and the large ears droop forwards. It has a long back and deep flanks and lacks the wrinkles and excess fat found in some other breeds. However the Swedish Landrace is not such an extreme bacon-pig, and breeders have concentrated on the soundness of the legs and feet, the strength of the back and the animal's constitution. They have also sought to retain the fecundity, prolificacy, mothering ability and rate of weight gain of the Danish Landrace.Breeds of livestock - Oklahoma State University
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Exports

The Swedish Landrace has been exported to the United States and elsewhere. It finds favour in countries where fresh pork is desired and other manufactured products, whereas the Danish Landrace is bred for

bacon Bacon is a type of Curing (food preservation), salt-cured pork made from various cuts of meat, cuts, typically the pork belly, belly or less fatty parts of the back. It is eaten as a side dish (particularly in breakfasts), used as a central in ...

. It has been used in the improvement of the

American Landrace The American Landrace is an American breed of domestic pig. It is white in color, with a long body, fine hair, a long snout and heavy, drooping ears. Like all landrace pigs, it derives from the Danish Landrace. History The American Landrace ...

and to broaden that breed's genetic base. It was exported to Australia in the first half of the twentieth century and on from there to New Zealand in 1959. Another export market was Russia, and it was also exported to Czechoslovakia, where it was largely used for crossing to improve the local livestock.

References

{{Landrace pig breeds navbox Pig breeds Pig breeds originating in Sweden

Characteristics

Exports

See also

References