It originated in the county of Oxfordshire, and is named for that and its colour, which is a sandy brown with black patches.

It is believed to have originated or developed in the upper Thames Valley and in the county of Oxfordshire in the early nineteenth century, and thus to be among the older British breeds.

[7]: 235  In 1985 a breed association, the Oxford Sandy and Black Pig Society, was set up and a herd-book was published for the first time; it listed 62 sows and 15 boars, held by 29 different breeders.

[10] The Oxford Sandy and Black is of medium to large size, long and deep in the body.

The coat is sandy, ranging from pale sand to deep rust, with patches or blotches of black; the skin is white.