DOGS
All Dog Exhibitors: Required Poster Board 11 inches by 14 inches with photograph (4 inch x 6 inch) of 4-H member and dog. Include name of member and dog, 4-H Club, Town, and County. May also include other photos (scanned photos OK), short story, or any other information about you and your dog. This poster will be put up in the Exhibit Hall during Fair. For Exhibition only, bring to dog show, will not be judged.
A. Please refer to rulebook “Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines” (4-H 420) for further guidelines.
B. VACCINATION - All dogs must be immunized for distemper, hepatitis, parvo, and rabies. Vaccination record must document all vaccinations within 1 year or 3 years depending on the vaccine given. All required vaccinations must be given within 1 to 3 years of the show date based on label guidelines. All vaccinations must be in effect at the time of the Dog Show. Explanation: Some vaccinations are viable for one year and some vaccinations are viable for three years but are specifically designed and administered according to their label. It is not acceptable nor allowed to vaccinate a dog with a 1 year vaccine and plan to have it in effect for 3 years.
C. NUMBER OF ENTRIES PER EXHIBITOR-An exhibitor may make no more than two entries in obedience or showmanship classes. For example, an exhibitor may make two entries in obedience, or one entry in obedience and one entry in showmanship. A dog can be entered in only one obedience class. A 4-H member can be entered in only one showmanship class.
D. ADVANCEMENT IN OBEDIENCE AND AGILITY CLASSES-Follow rules in Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines 4-H 420. A youth will move up to a ‘transition year’, after they receive 2 purples in a specific class at county or state level competition. Youth will finish their 4-H year at the same level if the second purple ribbon occurs in the middle of their 4-H year. Youth do not have to move up in the middle of a 4-H year. Youth will then have the option to stay in their current class for one additional year (after receiving 2 purple ribbons) called the ‘transition year’. During the transition year, youth will practice the more advanced class (gaining skills such as off leash work) but may compete in their same level. Youth may advance up to the next level more quickly with advice/assistance from a leader and parent to help evaluate skill and readiness of youth and dog. This may especially occur if the youth has had previous dog handling experiences.
E. ADVANCEMENT IN SHOWMANSHIP CLASSES- classes are divided into age divisions. Junior 8-10 Intermediate 11-13, Senior 14-18. All 4-H dog exhibitors must show their own animals to be considered participants in the Showmanship Contest. Showman will be allowed to compete in a division each year based on their age. (This rule varies from the State Fair rules)
F. DISQUALIFIED DOGS- Females in season will not be permitted to be shown. Overly aggressive dogs may be disqualified at the discretion of the judge or superintendent. Lame or crippled dogs will not be permitted to show if it is determined by a show superintendent that it is affecting the health of the dog.
G. AGE OF DOGS- A dog that is exhibited at the Dog Show must be 6 months or older. Agility dogs must be 18 months or older to participate in competition.
H. BAITING- Baiting with food or a toy is not permitted and is cause for disqualification. Handlers may use baiting action without food or toys in showmanship. The judge has the authority to disqualify violators.
Dogs are to be taken home after judging.
DOG SHOWMANSHIP
Department G - Section 980
Showmanship - Premium Schedule B
Each class will be judged on handler's appearance (10%), grooming and conditioning of dog (20%), coordination of the dog and handler (50%), and general knowledge (20%). Classes are divided into age divisions.
901. Junior Showmanship- (8 - 13 years old)
902. Senior Showmanship- (14 -18 year olds)
Department G - Section 981
Obedience, Versatility & Other Premium Schedule A
BEGINNING NOVICE- All exercises must be performed on a six-foot leash. Dogs must heel including figure 8; stand for examination; come on recall; long sit for one minute and long down for three minutes. The leash may lay on the floor in front of the dog or be held by the handler.
901. Beginning Novice Division A - Exhibitor and dog is in first year of competition.
902. Beginning Novice Division B - Exhibitor or dog is beyond first year of competition.
903. Novice - Dogs must heel on leash including figure 8; stand for examination off leash, heel free; come on recall off leash, long sit for one minute off leash and long down for three minutes off leash.
904. Graduate Novice - Dogs must heel on leash; stand for examination off leash; heel free including figure 8; drop on recall; long sit for three minutes and long down for five minutes both with handler out of sight.
905. Advanced Graduate Novice - Heel on leash and figure 8 (off leash), drop on recall, dumbbell recall, recall over high jump, recall over broad jump, and long down.
906. Open - All exercises off leash. Heel free and figure 8; drop on recall; retrieve on flat; retrieve over high jump; broad jump; long sit for three minutes and long down for five minutes, both with handler out of sight. Refer to Guidelines for Nebraska 4-H Dog Shows for jump heights/distances.
907. Graduate Open - Signal exercise, scent discrimination, directed retrieve, moving stand and examination, go out, and directed jumping.
908. Utility - The dog will perform five exercises; the signal exercise; the scent discrimination exercise with leather and metal objects; the directed retrieve; moving stand and examination; directed jumping. Exhibitors must supply their own scent articles and gloves for the directed retrieve.
DOG AGILITY
Department G - Section 982
Obedience, Versatility & Other Premium Schedule A
PROCEDURE- Agility will follow those procedures and classes described in Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines 4-H 420. http://go.unl.edu/4h420. Refer to Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines 4-H 420 - http://go.unl.edu/4h420 - to determine class entry. Wither heights of all agility dogs must be included with advanced entries. Level 1 & 2 Agility classes are run on leash. Level 3, 4, and 5 are all run off leash. One of each obstacle noted in each level are mandatory and duplicate obstacles will be added to make up quantities of obstacles in each level. Obstacle equipment needing repair or deemed unsafe by judge will be excluded from the competition. Judges determine the arrangements of the obstacles on the course. Obstacles in course should be numbered to note the obstacle order for the course.
Level 5 – youth can use additional equipment for competition that they have access to and can use in practice. Obstacles that are used for agility competition events may be included from (AKC, CPE, USDAA, NADAC, UKC, etc….)
Agility Jump heights – measure dogs at withers to determine jump height:
- Dogs 11 inches or less – 4 inches
- Dogs over 11 inches up to and including 14 inches – 8 inches
- Dogs over 14 inches up to and including 18 inches – 12 inches
- Dogs over 18 inches – 16 inches.
901. First Year 1A - Dog and Exhibitor are 1st year members
902. Level 1 - 6 obstacles – 3 bar jumps which have two bars each, short dog walk, pause box or table, and tunnel (open). 903. Level 2 – 10 obstacles – several bar jumps which have two bars each, short dog walk, pause box or table, tunnel (open), and solid panel jump.
904. Level 3 - 10 obstacles – same obstacles as Level 2 but dogs run off leash for Level 3.
905. Level 4 - 13 obstacles – bar jump which has one bar each, bar jump which has two bars each, tall dog walk, pause box or table, tunnel (open), solid panel jump, teeter totter (seesaw), and weave poles (single set with 6 poles).
906. Level 5 - 15 – 20 of any of the following obstacles such as: bar jump which has one bar each, bar jump which has two bars each, tall dog walk, pause box or table, tunnel (open), ), solid panel jump, A-frame short, A-frame tall, teeter totter (seesaw), weave poles (single set with 6 poles), weave poles (double set with 12 poles), and broad jump, dump jump, triple bar jump, swing bridge, etc. Number of obstacles used for a course will depend on ring size and available equipment at show site. Course layout may include more advanced handling techniques.
DOG VERSATILITY & OTHER EXHIBITS
Department G - Section 983
Obedience, Versatility & Other Premium Schedule A
VERSATILITY
901. Versatility Class - Handler shows what the dog can do instead of having a set pattern as in the obedience classes. This can be a series of tricks, brace or team work; sporting events such as point and retrieve using hand signals. Exhibitor must prepare a sheet for the judge so they know the exercise to be done.
OTHER EXHIBITS
All other exhibits including constructed items and care and show kits must be ENTERED on the day of the dog show. Judging will take place following the Dog Show.
902. Poster promoting 4-H and dogs, dog health and welfare.
903. Scrapbook
904. Essay - suggested topics include care of dog, grooming, feeding, breeds, immunization, etc.
905. Best Dressed Dog
906. Rally Class
907. Groom & Care Class - Internal and external care of animal will be judged on the following criteria: Nose, Eyes, Ears, Mouth, Teeth, Feet, Nails, Legs, Skin, Coat, Trimming, Nutritional health. Temperament of the dog and 3 or 4 health care questions to be answered by the 4-H’er and the appearance and attitude of the 4-H member.
Limit one dog entry per exhibitor.