Some say you are born into this profession, others say you take it up as a hobby. For my part, I believe I was born into it. Being a third generation farming family certainly played a role in raising market show pigs. Raising show pigs is and always has been a blessing to many families. You don't have to be born in the heart of Oklahoma to raise a Grand Champion market hog. Having correct knowledge about the industry, feed regiment and proper showman etiquette will greatly help a person. Before you make the decision to purchase a market pig at a barn sale or online auction, you need to have proper knowledge of the breeds that are out there. There are a total of eight common breeds of show pigs. These eight breeds can be divided into two groups judging by their ears. Breeds of lop-eared pigs include: Chester White, Duroc, Poland China, Spot and Landrace. Chester White pigs are known for their structural strength, maternal ability, and floppy ears. A pig cannot be classified as a Chester White if it has erect ears or any other color patch larger than a silver dollar. Durocs, like Chester Whites, have floppy ears, they also have a reddish brown color but the blackness of their hair and skin can vary. They are mainly known because they are good mothers and have a very lean frame. Chinese Polish pigs are another marked breed of pig and they should be black with only six white spots. These spots are found on their face, feet, and the tip of their tail. The last breed of lop-eared pigs is the Spot breed. I'm sure you can already guess that these pigs have spots all over their bodies. Spots must have black and white hairs and their ears cannot be solid black. Landrace is a breed native to Finland that is white with ...... middle of paper ......spect of your life. Works Cited Burch, Micky. “Stage matters.” Purple circle. April 2014: 30. Printed. Couch Lee, Christy. “Competition in victory and defeat. » Driving livestock. November 23, 2013. NP Web. Fries, Cortney. “The cruelest thing I have seen on a pig farm.” Watch us grow. April 19, 2014. NP Web. Harned, Celeste. “How to Dress for Livestock Showing.” Celestelaurent. July 11, 2011. NP Web. Harsh, Jessica. “A showman’s gratitude.” Driving cattle. November 21, 2013. NP Web. Mason, Ashley. “The harder you work, the luckier you are.” Purple circle. April 2014: 158. Print. Oklahoma State University Board of Regents. “Breeds of cattle”. Ansi.okstate.edu. April 1994. NP Web. Rothlisberger, Darrell. "Show pig selection." Extension.usu. March 2010. NP Web. Walker, Taylor. “Tips for Staging Pork.” » Driving livestock. November 21, 2013. NP Web.