[2] It was created in the last years of the nineteenth century by merging the black pig populations of Devon and Cornwall in the south-west with those of Essex, Suffolk and Kent in the south-east.

It is hardy, docile and prolific; it forages well and is suitable for extensive farming, but not well suited to intensive management.

[3][5] The Devon pigs were originally selected for "the length of their bodies, ears, noses, tail and hair, the longer the better, without reference to quality or substance", but selective breeding brought improvements to the breed, and by 1850 the type was small-boned and thick-bodied, with good conformation and constitution.

Its main conclusions were that UK pig farms were poorly placed to compete with European producers, that the diversity of local breeds in the UK was an obstacle to progress, and that British pig farmers should focus on three breeds only: the Welsh, the British Landrace, and the Large White.

[17] The report initiated a period of decline in all other British pig breeds, including the Large Black.

[15] By 1913, Large Black had by then spread throughout most of Britain, and had been exported to most of mainland Europe and to North and South America, Africa and Oceania.

[20] Large Blacks are best suited for pasture-based farming due to their strong foraging and grazing ability, which efficiently converts poor quality feed into meat.

This is partly because its large, drooping ears obscure its vision,[3][7] although they also help to protect the face and eyes while the animal is foraging, especially when rooting in dirt.

[20] The meat from the Large Black is known for its lean quality and flavour without an excess of back fat,[7][14] but for commercial production it was often crossed with the Yorkshire and Middle White pigs,[7][15] producing a vigorous hybrid that was well regarded by farmers.

[24] The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy estimated the Large Black population of the United States at 300 breeding hogs in 2008, and lists its status as "critical", which means that fewer than 200 animals are registered each year in the United States, and there are estimated to be fewer than 2,000 worldwide.

Besides conservation for the sake of genetic diversity in livestock, the breed is also coming to be seen as a good option for fulfilling the needs of an increasing number of consumers interested in pasture-raised pork.