Dog
Superintendent: Michele Eberl
Premium: Purple $5; Blue $3.75; Red $2.50; White $1.25
Show: Thursday, July 23, 8:30 am, *NEW TIME
Show Rules: The show will follow rules in the Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Manual (4-H 421) https://4h.unl.edu/4-h-fairbook-nebraska-state-fair/live-animals/dog/ except where amended by Hall County show rules.
General Information: Any dog exhibited at the county fair MUST be at least six months of age or older. All dogs must be owned by the 4-H member or their family. Exceptions to the ownership rule must be approved by the Hall County 4-H Council or Dog Advisory Committee by June 1. Enter static exhibits in the Small Animal Static Exhibits area.
Advancement in Obedience and Agility: A youth will move up to a ‘transition year’ after they receive two 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 have the option to stay in their current class for one additional year (after receiving two 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 experience.
Qualification for Agility: Youth and dog must complete basic obedience training and receive at least one red ribbon in beginning obedience, titles in other dog show venues, OR equivalent experience in order to participate in agility. Participants who want to enter an agility class must demonstrate basic skills equivalent to beginning obedience training. For the Hall County Fair, equivalent experience will be considered if member and dog have attended basic obedience classes, demonstrated basic obedience skills to the Superintendent or competed in the obedience class prior to the agility class at Fair.
Advancement in Showmanship: All 4-H dog exhibitors must show their own animal(s) to be considered as participants in the Showmanship Contest. Showman will be allowed to compete in a division each year based on their age.
Health & Vaccinations: All dogs must be immunized for distemper, hepatitis, parvo and rabies. The Nebraska 4-H Dog Vaccination Record Form (SF 263) must be filled out and signed by a veterinarian and submitted to the Extension Office by June 15. The Vaccination Record Form (SF 263) 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 Hall County Fair Dog Show. Explanation: Some vaccinations are viable for one year and some 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. Dogs will not be allowed to show without the appropriate vaccination record completed.
Dress Code: 4-H'er must wear 4-H T-shirt or 4-H Chevron. Solid blue jeans are required.
Dog Obedience
# of Entries: Two per handler, exhibitor may not show two dogs in same level or use same dog for more than one class.
General Information: Follow rules in Nebraska 4-H Dog Show guidelines, 4-H 421 to determine class entry.
Beginning Novice Classes: 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.
Advanced Grad Novice, Open, Graduate Open & Utility Classes: Youth are to be responsible for talking with the show office to see if the necessary equipment must be provided by the youth or will be provided by the show office. Necessary equipment includes high jump, broad jump, and dumbbell (dumbbell must always be brought by the exhibitor).
Dog Obedience Classes
- Beginning Novice Division A – Exhibitor and dog are in first year of competition.
- Beginning Novice Division B – Exhibitor or dog is beyond first year of competition.
- Novice - Dog 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.
- Graduate Novice - Dog must heel on leash including figure 8; stand for exam off leash; heel free including figure 8 off leash; drop on recall off leash; long sit off leash (handler out of sight) for three minutes and long down off leash (handler in sight) for five minutes.
- Advanced Grad Novice – Heel on leash & figure 8 (off leash), drop on recall, dumbbell recall, recall over high jump, recall over broad jump, drop on recall and long down (handler out of sight) for five minutes.
- 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.
- Graduate Open – Signal exercise, scent discrimination, directed retrieve, moving stand and examination, go out, and directed jumping.
- Utility - Dog will perform five exercises: signal; scent discrimination with leather and metal objects; directed retrieve; moving stand and examination; directed jumping. Exhibitors must supply scent articles and gloves for the directed retrieve.
Clover Kid Class (4-H age 5-7)
- Dog Obedience
Dog Showmanship
# of Entries: One per handler
General Information: The dog should wear only the show collar and/or leash. A 6-foot obedience lead is not acceptable.
Judged on: Handler’s appearance (10%), grooming and conditioning of dog (20%), coordination of dog and handler (50%), and general knowledge (20%). Showman is requested to be in official 4-H dress.
Dog Showmanship Classes
# of Entries: One per Handler
- Junior, 4-H age 8-9
- Intermediate, 4-H age 10-13
- Senior, 4-H age 14-18
Clover Kid Class (4-H age 5-7)
- Dog Showmanship
Dog Agility
Show: Agility will follow obedience, showmanship.
General Information:
- Dog must be 18 months old or older at the time of competition.
- All dogs must wear a flat buckle collar - no other collar type is allowed.
- Each dog may be exhibited by only one handler in agility competition.
- Obstacles are spaced 15 to 18 feet apart.
- Handlers should wear tennis shoes or shoes with non-skid soles.
- No baiting, toys or training devices are allowed on the course during competition.
- Automatic white ribbon for any dog that fouls or leaves the course.
Jump Heights: (measured at withers)
- Dog 11” or less = 4 inches
- Dog over 11” up to/including 14” = 8 inches
- Dog over 14” up to/including 18” = 12 inches
- Dog over 18” = 16 inches
Judging Criteria: Refer to the NE 4-H Dog Show Guidelines (4-H 421). Exhibitors may try an obstacle three times and then move to the next obstacle.
Dog Agility Classes
# of Entries: Two dogs per handler, exhibitor may not show two dogs in the same level or use the same dog for more than one class.
- Level I – Six obstacles, on leash – three bar jumps which have two bars each, short dog walk, pause box or table, and tunnel (open).
- Level 2 – Ten obstacles, on leash – several bar jumps which have two bars each, short dog walk, pause box or table, tunnel (open), short A-frame, and solid panel jump.
- Level 3 – Ten obstacles, off leash – same obstacles as Level 2
- Level 4 – 13 obstacles, off leash – bar jump which has two bars each, short dog walk, pause box or table, tunnel (open), short A-frame, solid panel jump, teeter-totter (seesaw), weave poles (single set with six poles), high dog walk and double bar jump.
- Level 5 – 15-20 obstacles, off leash – any of the following: bar jump which has two bars each, short dog walk, pause box or table, tunnel (open), short A-frame, solid panel jump, teeter-totter (seesaw), weave poles (single set with six poles), high dog walk, double bar jump, tall A-frame, weave poles (double set with 12 poles), tire jump, broad jump and triple bar jump. Course layout may include more advanced handling techniques.
The number of obstacles used will depend on ring size and available equipment..