How to Show Your Pigs

Last Updated: April 3, 2024

Showing hogs can be a fun and learning experience. Many youths enjoy the rewarding feeling of stepping into a show ring and exhibiting the animal they have worked so hard to raise.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Adopting a Pig

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1
Pick out a hog with good confirmation and a smooth body. It has to have good definition but be sound. Ask the breeder about the hog if you are having trouble. ^{[1]
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- Select a pig with good muscles.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Caring for and Readying the Pig

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Keep the pig clean. Keep the pig's snout and butt clean when it is exiting the pen.
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2
Keep the pig in good condition. Exercise it regularly. Start walking to help the pig lose weight and stay in good condition.
- Do not allow the pig to become underweight or overweight.
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Depending on the feed, pick a high-protein feed. (This does not mean feed hormones.) ^{[2]
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Tap only on the hog's shoulder to the underarm area on each side. Try if possible to keep your pig's head up to make the top line of your pig look more even. Not too high though.
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6
Make sure your pig has been trained/exercised in a pen the size of the show ring, or as close as you can get. Pigs tend to get excited and run around their first time inside a large pen.
- Note that this will excitable behavior will occasionally happen even after you work with them. The best thing to do is just to walk past the judge, maintaining eye contact. Don't get upset.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Getting Ready for the Show

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Shear and bathe your hog. Do this a few days before the show so that the coat will come out smooth.
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

At the Show

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Never put the whip, cane, or pipe in between the judge and the hog. ^{[3]
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^{[4]
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3
Handle your pig with gentleness. Judges like a hog that handles softly.
- Don't hit your hog hard enough to make it whine, judges won't like that.
- For showmanship, know the style the judge likes (if possible) and conform to it.

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Question

Is keeping eye contact with the judge important?

Community Answer

Very much so. Keep your eye on the judge at all times; keep your pig between yourself and the judge; look at the pig from the corner of your eye; smile; be gentle with your cane or pig whip; be calm; and don't run.

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How do I make my pig less stubborn to walk around?

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You need to simply walk your animal every day, be patient, gentle, and reward good behavior with lots of small treats, like small pieces of apple, or mini marshmallows.

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Can I have a brush in my back pocket when showing?

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In my experience, I've always been told it is okay to keep a brush and/or a rag with me to insure the pig stays clean.

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Tips

For the market, know the type of pig the judge likes. Example: if s/he is known to place pigs with bad posture in a lower rank, buy a pig that stands tall.

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Warnings

Try to keep your pig out of corners, try to keep your pig moving as much as possible.

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Try to avoid groups of pigs or unruly pigs.

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If the judge is looking at someone else's pig, do not get in the way. You can get marked down for poor sportsmanship.

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Things You'll Need

A hog with good confirmation
A show-whip or cane
A nice clean set of clothes (preferably white for 4-H or FFA)
Brushes & Conditioners
Food buckets and a water tube
A place to keep your pig

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How to Show Your Pigs

Steps

Adopting a Pig

Caring for and Readying the Pig

Getting Ready for the Show

At the Show

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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