Content
Check General Rules for Livestock for more information.
CATS
PRE-ENTRY MUST BE MADE AT THE EXTENSION OFFICE PRIOR TO JUNE 15, 2026.
To be eligible to show at the country fair, the 4H'er must be enrolled in the Cat Project. Cats must be four months of age or older. Cats under 4 months of age will not be accepted. The exhibitor must present the cat to the judge.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: Cats shall be free of fleas, ticks and ear mites, ring worms, other parasites and infectious diseases. Cats shall be free of discharge from nose and eyes. Cats are required to have current rabies and distemper vaccinations. A three in one virus vaccination is preferred over the simple distemper vaccination, but not required. If the cat is not declawed, the claws must be clipped. No expectant or nursing mother cats may enter. The superintendent will refuse entry to any cat not meeting these health requirements. Vaccinations must be completed by June 15, 2026, and turned into the office with pre-registration papers. One of the following is required as proof of vaccination: Vet health certification form with a vet’s signature, vaccination receipt, or vaccinations printout. 4-H’ers vaccinating their own cats must provide proof in the form of a statement from their vet or turning in the serum viles. If vaccinations are not current, animals will not be allowed to show. One cat per exhibitor is allowed for entry. Cat collar and leash is needed for cat.
Cats will be brought to the fairgrounds prior to the show. Exhibits will be released at the conclusion of the show.
SHOWMANSHIP: Exhibitors will be given a score for showmanship based on handling of the cat and knowledge of cat care as displayed during the judging of their cat. Exhibitors must present their own cat to be eligible for showmanship. Judge may ask questions during showmanship judging. A Cat Showmanship score sheet is available at the Extension Office.
4-H STORY AND PICTURE OF ANIMAL MUST ACCOMPANY THE ENTRY. THE POSTER SIZE WILL BE 14” x 22”. THEY WILL BE LEFT ON DISPLAY AFTER JUDGING AND RELEASE OF ANIMAL. Check in ½ hour prior to the show. Please see the fair schedule for show time.
CAT SHOWMANSHIP
G 690 902 JUNIOR CAT
G 690 904 INTERMEDIATE CAT
G 690 905 SENIOR CAT
G 690 906 FFA CAT
CAT CLASSES
G 690 020 LONG HAIR CAT
G 690 931 LONG HAIR KITTEN (4-12 MONTHS)
G 690 030 SHORT HAIR CAT
G 690 932 SHORT HAIR KITTEN (4-12 MONTHS)
DOGS
PRE-ENTRY MUST BE MADE AT THE EXTENSION OFFICE BY JUNE 15, 2026.
Exhibitors must also enter the showmanship contest. The exhibitor may select the obedience class best suited for their dog, except dogs with AKC "Companion Dog" degree may not compete in the Beginning Novice obedience class. Females in season will not be permitted to show. No treats will be allowed in the show pen. Where the age permits all dogs must have been immunized against rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis, Coronavirus, and Parvo. Dog exhibitors must bring proof of vaccination. One of the following is required as proof of vaccination: Vet health certification form with a vet’s signature, vaccination receipt or vaccinations printout. 4H’ers vaccinating their own dogs must provide proof in the form of a statement from their vet or by turning in the serum vile. If vaccinations are not current, animals will not be allowed to show. Vaccinations must be completed by June 15, 2026, and turned into the office with pre-registration papers.
This is an un-benched 4-H Dog Show and may not be consistent with all AKC rules. Use "Guidelines for Nebraska 4H Dog Shows" as an aid. Dogs will be brought to the fairgrounds prior to the show. Exhibits will be released at the conclusion of the show. 4-H STORY AND PICTURE OF ANIMAL MUST ACCOMPANY ENTRY. THE POSTER WILL BE 14” X 22”. THEY WILL BE LEFT ON DISPLAY AFTER JUDGING AND RELEASE OF ANIMALS. Check in ½ hour prior to the show. Please see the fair schedule for show time.
Dog Show Rules (4-H 421 Revised June 2022) can be found online (contact the office for the link)
DOG SHOWMANSHIP
G 700 902 JUNIOR DOG
G 700 904 INTERMEDIATE DOG
G 700 905 SENIOR DOG
G 700 906 FFA DOG
DOG OBEDIENCE
G 701 10 BEGINNING NOVICE DIVISION A Exhibitor and dog are in first year of competition (started Dog Project after 10/1/2025). Exhibitors incorrectly entered will be moved to Beginning Novice Division B or C.
G 701 20 BEGINNING NOVICE DIVISION B Exhibitor or dog is beyond first year of competition.
G 701 25 BEGINNING NOVICE DIVISON C Exhibitor and dog are beyond first year of competition.
G 701 30 NOVICE A Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Beginning Novice and are in first year of Novice Class competition (started after 10/1/2025).
G 701 35 NOVICE B Exhibitor and dog are beyond first year of Novice competition.
G 701 40 GRADUATE NOVICE Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Novice.
G 701 45 ADVANCED GRADUATE NOVICE Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Graduate Novice.
G 701 50 OPEN Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Adv. Graduate Novice
G 701 55 GRADUATE OPEN Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Open
G 701 60 UTILITY Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Graduate Open
DOG AGILITY
Rules:
- Procedure - Agility will follow those procedures and classes described in Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines 4H421. Refer to Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines to determine class entry and obstacles for each level of competition. Course maps will be made available and posted at time of show registration in designated area(s).
- 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
G 702 010-Level 1: 6 Obstacles
G 702 020-Level 2: 10 Obstacles
G 702 030-Level 3: 10 Obstacles
G 702 040-Level 4: 13 Obstacles
G 702 050-Level 5: 15-20 Obstacles
Any dog and/or 4-H exhibitor that has not shown in Agility previously, should start in Level 1 and advance based on the two purple rule. The exhibitor may choose to start at a higher level but cannot go back once they have exhibited in that level.
COMPANION ANIMALS
PRE-ENTRY MUST BE MADE AT THE EXTENSION OFFICE BY JUNE 15, 2026.
Animals eligible for show are gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, tropical fish, parakeets, cockatiel and other birds, turtles, amphibians, mice and rats, etc. This lot cannot duplicate animals exhibited in other lots, so therefore no dogs, cats, or poultry may be exhibited in these classes. Small animals will be brought to the fairgrounds prior to show and will be released at the conclusion of the show. An exhibit is composed of the animal(s) and the cage or tank. The exhibit may consist of one to five animals. The exhibit will be judged as a whole: both animals and the facility in which they are displayed. NO ANIMALS WITH BABIES ARE ALLOWED. MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A 4-H STORY AND PICTURE OF ANIMAL. STORY AND PICTURE MUST BE LEFT ON DISPLAY AFTER JUDGING AND RELEASE OF ANIMAL. POSTERS SIZE WILL BE 14” X 22”.
Criteria followed in the Judging will include: 1) Health of animal; 2) condition of cage; 3) safety of display, 4) appropriate environment; 5) proper food and water facilities and 6) visual aid describing the display; 7) 4-H Story and Picture of Animal. Exhibitor must be present. All pets must be displayed in a cage or tank. Animals shall be free of contagious disease. Any animal showing signs of parasites or disease shall be dismissed.
Check in ½ hour prior to the show. Please see the fair schedule for show time.
*G 95 902 GUINEA PIGS, HAMSTERS, GERBILS, MICE AND RATS AND OTHER MAMMALS
*G 95 903 BIRDS
*G 95 904 REPTILES, FISH AND AMPHIBIANS
*G 95 905 PET RABBIT ONLY (4-H MEMBERS 12 AND UNDER NOT SHOWING IN REGULAR 4H RABBIT SHOW ARE ELIGIBLE)