544 JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



fight with strange boars and to insist on having his own 

 way. There is altogether more self-assertion than in the 

 case of either barrow or sow, and sometimes he is blessed 

 with too much of this quality. Frequently, in the show 

 ring, he champs his jaws and froths at the mouth, a tem- 

 peramental action peculiar to his sex. 



The size of the boar should somewhat exceed that of the 

 sow or sexless animal. At maturity he should show a 

 marked increase in size over the female, though no definite 

 figures can be established for this difference. It will de- 

 pend on the breed more than anything else. Large size of 

 male is not so essential, however, as some think. In fact, 

 if associated with coarseness it is undesirable. Perhaps 

 100 pounds greater weight than the sow, in the same flesh, 

 will not be much out of the way. The young boar should 

 have plenty of size for his age. If the boar is undersized 

 while young, he will not be likely to attain the size he 

 should at maturity. 



The frame of the boar is to be seen in the character of 

 the bone, and in the breeding animal of this sex it should 

 be medium to large in size, with plenty of quality. Many 

 breeders prefer a large bone, especially as seen in the legs. 

 Too much refinement is objectionable, because at maturity 

 the animal cannot sustain his weight well and be used to 

 the best advantage for breeding, unless in a crate. The 

 boar, in ideal condition, has a strong frame, well covered 

 with muscles, such as indicate plenty of vitality. The 

 boar one sees so often at the shows, heavily covered with 

 fat, overdone and lacking in the activity so much desired 

 in breeding animals, is hardly a fit example of what the 

 breeding boar should be. The judge should discriminate 

 against the frame unduly submerged in fat. 



Breed characteristics are important factors to consider 

 when one is judging pure bred animals. Each breed is char- 

 acterized by certain features of conformation and color. 

 The judge should be familiar with these characteristics. 

 The breeds differ more or less in shape of head, carriage and 



