3/2017 LORAIN COUNTY 4-H DOG SHOW GUIDELINES FOR MEMBERS, ADVISORS AND JUDGES OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE 4-H DOG PROJECT One important part of the 4-H program is teaching youth to rear and understand animals. Many 4-H youth do not live on farms and thus are not able to take the traditional animal science projects. The dog care and training projects have proved to be an excellent solution to this problem. These projects are equally worthwhile for both urban and rural 4-H members. The dog project is an excellent tool for character development of youth. Training a dog teaches one to have patience, persistence, to speak clearly in short concise statements, and to realize the value of work. Learning to care for a dog teaches one to be responsible, take pride in ownership, to make decisions, and to learn about their behavior. These same purposes apply to youth with mixed breed dogs, as well as to those with purebred dogs. For those youth with a strong interest in dogs, career opportunities in the field of dog care and training are available. Annually, 4-H members turn to this field for employment. Opportunities are available in grooming parlors, general obedience training, training of guard, police, hunting, sled and livestock dogs, veterinarians, vet assistants, vet technicians, kennel operators, breeders and handlers of show dogs, and guide dog trainers. Participation Requirements Parent Permission to Participate in Ohio 4-H Dog Activities form must be signed and turned into the OSU Extension office at the time of registration. This is a State Requirement and will be kept on file at the OSU Extension Office. A copy of the permission form will also be kept on file with the Lorain County Dog Council. Lorain County 4-H Dog Council Dog Project Registration form must be turned in to Dog Council by the May deadline. A copy of vaccination certificate must be turned in to Dog Council before the first Dog show of the year. (a copy of the vaccination certificate will still be required with County Fair Entries). General Regulations and Guidelines for 4-H Exhibitors Showing Their Dog These are Guidelines and are for County 4-H Dog Shows/Fun Shows that may be held throughout the year by various 4-H Clubs or organizations and Junior Fair Board. Please be aware that there may be some differences in the County Fair Premium Book regarding rules for entering and showing at County Fair. Rules and policies in the Lorain County Junior Fair Premium book must be followed for County Fair to enter and exhibit your 4-H project at County Fair. 4-H members are expected to abide by the 4-H Code of Conduct. Any misconduct by a 4-H member will be subject to Junior Fair General Rule 36 which can result in loss of premium and/or dismissal from further participation in Junior Fair activities. 1. Dogs should be clean, well brushed and in good physical condition appropriate for the dogs age. If a purebred, they do not have to be in regulation show clip. Dress Code & Dogs Appearance: No hard soled shoes. Soft soled shoes only. No sandals. No shorts. Skirts and skorts must be at least knee length or longer. No jeans permitted. Khakis, dress pants, Capris are permitted. No shirts with writing (i.e. club names, businesses, logos). No halter tops or tank tops permitted. Exception; for Agility show only exhibitors may wear clean neat jeans. Hair should be neatly pulled back from the 4-H member s face. Points will be deducted for sloppiness and failure to comply with dress code. NO cell phones permitted. 2. Abuse of Dog: Abusive treatment of a dog will not be tolerated inside or outside the ring. Judges, steward, advisors, or exhibitors witnessing such behavior should report it to the committee in charge. A 4-H er who is abusing or using unnecessarily severe corrections on his or her dog can be dismissed from showing at that show. 3. Aggressive Dogs Judges and/or Jr. Fair Board member must disqualify any dog that attempts to attack any persons or any other dog in the ring at a 4-H or Jr. Fair Show. Any JFB or Dog Council member, who witness a dog attempting to bit another dog or person will report the incident to a Dog Council Officer. Any dog excused or disqualified will not be permitted to show at county fair until the incident is reviewed by Jr. Fair Board Dog Dept and Dog Council.. Aggressiveness shown outside the ring can result in disqualification from showing. Complaints must be submitted in writing to the Extension Office. Dogs.
Aggressive Dog Behavior If during the course of the 4-H year a dog that is being used as a 4-H project becomes aggressive towards other people and or dogs, the dog can not continue to be use as a 4-H project. This issue is addressed in the State of Ohio permission to participate release and also in Junior Fair rules. The following procedure will be used to excuse a dog from participating in the dog project and county fair. The dog will be given up to three warnings. One (1) Verbal warning and two written warnings, after the third incident the dog will be eliminated as a 4-H project. Any Member who s dog is eliminated as a project animal, may complete their project as a poster project. To receive a warning; A dog that is excused from the judging ring by the judge will automatically receive a written warning. Judges are required to excuse any dog that snaps or attempts to attack a person or another dog in the ring. Dogs that attempt to snap or engage another dog outside the ring or who attempts to attack a person out side the ring that is witness by a Junior Fair Board Dog Committee member, the Advisor of the show giving club or member of the show committee or officer of Dog Council will be given a warning. The person that witnesses the incident must bring it to the attention of the Show giving club and then submit it to Junior Fair Board Dog Department so that a warning can be issued. Dog aggressive behavior that is not witnessed by one of the above should be submitted in writing to the Junior Fair Board Dog Dept. All complaints must be signed. Complaintants identity will be kept confidential A dog that physically attacks another dog or person could be automatically dismissed without further warning pending review by Junior Fair Board in conjunction with Lorain County 4-H Dog Council and their Adult Consultant/Advisor. All warnings will be issued in writing to the 4-H member, with copies to be submitted to Junior Fair Program Coordinator, OSU Extension Educator, Junior Fair Dog Department Adult Consultant/Advisor and Lorain County 4-H Dog Council. 4. 4-H ers should display good sportsmanship at all times. They should be courteous and respectful to the judges, stewards, other exhibitors, and spectators. 5. All dogs at a show must be kept on a leash or in a crate while on the show grounds. At fair, all dogs must remain in designated crating area unless being exercised. Exhibitor must inform ring steward if they have judging conflicts PRIOR to class judging. Judges must excuse exhibitor. An exhibitor may not leave the ring once judging has started. 6. At fair, dogs that may not compete: Dogs in heat must be shown at a separate time arranged with the Junior Fair Office. These dogs/exhibitors are not eligible for class trophy or placements, but will receive a grade and premium. It is also suggested that a female in whelp near her due date should not compete at fair judging. A female in season cannot show at any fun shows. 7. No dog may be shown if the dog has been subjected to any type of procedure that could possibly have the effect of obscuring or changing the temperament of the dog. This would include the administration of drugs. i.e.: sedation. 8. Lorain County Fair/Ohio State Fair health rules must be followed. All dogs must be immunized by a licensed, accredited veterinarian against the following diseases: Distemper (CDV), Adenovirus (modern vaccines contain either CAV-1 or CAV-2, but not both; however, either one protects against both hepatitis and cough), Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza (CP1), Parvovirus (CPV), Rabies. Vaccinations are no longer required for Adenovirus (CAV-1), Coronavirus (CCV) and Bordetella. A current year Jr. Fair Dog Show Certificate of Vaccination (available from Extension Office) must be completed, signed by your veterinarian and attached to your county fair entry form.
9. On the day of the show, county fair exhibitors cannot change the class they entered on their pre-entry form. Any changes must be made in advance. The exhibitor must compete in the same class for both the Pre Fair show and the county fair. A & B Divisions: Exhibitors entered in A division of any class, shall include those exhibitors and/or dogs who have not previously shown in that 4-H class or in sanctioned matches. Exhibitors and/or dogs who have previously shown in a given class, shall be entered in the B division of the classes. Classes split by age of exhibitor will be divided as follows: Jr. Division: Age 13 or under as of Jan. 1 of current year. Sr. Division: Age 14 through 18 as of Jan. 1 of current year. Showmanship A & B Classes will be split by age of exhibitor into: Jr. Division: Age 8-11 years old (8 yr. old must also be in 3 rd grade on Jan. 1 of current year) Int. Division: Age 12-14 years old Sr. Division: Age 15-18 years old 10. Exhibitors in the First Year Beginners dog project must move up to the A division of either obedience or showmanship the following year. You may only exhibit in First Year Beginner one time. (A 4-H member may use a dog previously shown by another 4-H member in the First Year Beginner class, only if it is the 4-H member s first year exhibiting a dog project.) 11. County fair winners of Pre Novice B divisions must move up to the next higher class the following year, if using the same dog. 12. After dog possession date, only the exhibitor should train and handle their dog. During ANY county dog show, nobody except the exhibitor should be working the dog outside or inside the ring. Exhibitor must be able to handle dog in and outside ring including transportation to and from ring. At county fair, parents are not permitted in the exhibitor area. 4-H ers only will be permitted in designated exhibitor ring area. 4-H advisors with Jr. Fair permission will be permitted. All dogs shown at fair, except pilot or companion dogs must be owned by the exhibitor s immediate family, half relations, or by a member of the exhibitor s household. The dog(s) must be in continual care of exhibitor including feeding, cleaning, and general care of the dog. Date of possession/ownership is no later than June 1. Hardship cases after the deadline must be taken up with the Jr. Fair Board. In the case of extenuating circumstances, a written participation request must be submitted to Jr. Fair Board by June 1. 13. 4-H members may exhibit more than one dog as long as they only exhibit one dog in each level (Example Pre Novice A & B are one level). They are permitted to exhibit the same dog in an obedience class, a rally class, agility, and a showmanship class. Exception to this is brace class (see Brace Rule) and agility and Rally. They may show more than one dog in the same agility class and Rally Class. 14. To be eligible to exhibit at county fair, the exhibitor and dog must have participated in at least two Lorain County Dog Shows during the current year. Pre-fair dog show may be one of the shows. Those participants who plan on showing in agility must attend an agility show if offered and at least one other 4-H dog show. In the case of extenuating circumstances, a written participation request must be submitted to Jr. Fair Board two weeks prior to fair. Lorain County Senior Fair Board will issue dog walk passes to those 4-H members who will be exhibiting at County Fair. You will not be allowed to bring your dog onto the grounds if you do not have a DOG WALK pass. 15. Armband numbers will be assigned by the Jr. Fair Department Chair to each exhibitor at the beginning of the year. The same number will be used at every show and at county fair judging. There will be a $1.00 fee for replacement arm bands.
16. Skillathon: All Exhibitors in obedience, agility and showmanship will participate in the County Skillathon as part of completion of their project. All questions for knowledge interview will come from the #201R Dog Resource Handbook. Completed project record books will be graded during the Skillathon and will be part of the final score. Knowledge section of the Skillathon score will be used as part of Showmanship judging that score will be applied to the Showmanship scoresheets at county fair. Make-up judging will be available. Members who cannot make the scheduled Skillathon must write a letter to the Extension office giving reason they cannot attend. 17. AKC champion titled dogs must compete in the B division of whatever obedience/rally class they start out their 4-H program in. Any 4-H er or dog that has prior show experience outside 4-H must start out in B division. Showmanship dog and/or 4-H er can move into the A division obedience class as long as they have no prior show experience outside 4-H. Dogs that earn AKC Obedience titles (CD, CDX, UD, UDX, OTCH, NOC) or Rally titles (RN, RA, RE, RAE) must compete in the next higher 4-H division. Dogs earning AKC or USDAA Agility Titles must compete in the next higher agility class. Proper Equipment 1. Obedience & Rally: Dogs in obedience must wear well fitting slip collars (no prong collars) of appropriate length. They may be of leather, fabric or chain with two rings, one on each end. Obedience martingale training collars will also be permitted. The leash may be of leather, nylon or cotton webbing and should be 6' in length. (No chain leashes!) Collar should be free of any tags, bells, etc. 2. Showmanship: Exhibitors in this class may use either a chain or fabric slip collar. The leash may be of fabric or leather and long enough to allow for easy handling of the dog. Martingale type show leads are also acceptable. Collar should be free of any tags, bells, etc. 3. Brace: Coupler must be no shorter than 6 inches. 4. Agility: Quick release collar. State Fair Entry To enter in State Fair competition you must attend at least one show prior to State Fair Entry. State Fair entries along with appropriate entry fees must be turned into the County OSU Extension office. You must show in the same classes at County Fair and State Fair. Unless County Fair does not offer the State Fair Class. Sportsmanship Conduct Prejudicial to the Sport and 4-H Among the kinds of conduct that may occur are: a demonstration of dissatisfaction with a judge s decision, including refusal to accept a ribbon or throwing a ribbon on the ground;* altercations with officials or participants; abusive or foul language in public; and mistreatment of dog. As in any sport, conduct that may, in the opinion of the event committee, be prejudicial to the sport, can take other forms that do not fall within these descriptions. One test in connection with any kind of scene or altercation occurring during an event is whether a family attending an event for the first time would be likely to decide, after witnessing such an incident, that the sport is not for them. While the number of people witnessing the incident should be taken into consideration, conduct that is known to only one or two people at an event can also be prejudicial to the sport.
Code of Sportsmanship: Sportsmen respect the history, traditions and integrity of the sport of dogs and the 4-H program. Sportsmen commit themselves to values of fair play, honesty, courtesy, and vigorous competition, as well as winning and losing with grace. The sportsman exhibitor accepts constructive criticism. The sportsman respects the Junior and Senior Fair bylaws, rules, regulations and policies governing the 4-H Dog Program. Sportsmen welcome, encourage and support newcomers to the sport. Sportsmen always consider as paramount the welfare of their dog. Sportsmen refuse to embarrass the sport, 4-H, or themselves while taking part in the sport and 4-H program. Sportsmen exhibit respect for judges and other exhibitors as well as parents and spectators. Sportsmen accept the Judges decisions with grace and respect. Judges and Judging The judge should keep in mind that for each exhibitor his or her time in the ring is their moment. The judge shall view each handler and dog as the most important team they will observe during the total judging activity. The dog and handler should be evaluated in terms of their level of attainment toward a predetermined standard rather than in relation to other handlers. The 4-H classes are based in AKC classes; however, because not all 4-H ers have access to AKC oriented leaders, they shall not be penalized for failure to do each exercise verbatim to AKC rules. Also, it is important to remember that whereas AKC is in the "business" of training dogs, the 4-H program is in the "business" of training and raising kids and that must be our number one priority. It is imperative that judges evaluating 4-H members in a dog project recognize that priority. Upon initial entry into the ring, the judge should put the 4-H exhibitor at ease and ask them if they have any questions regarding the exercises to be performed in the ring. In the event that a handler and/or dog falter or fail to complete a given exercise, they are not to be dismissed from the ring. At the conclusion of all exercises, the judge may take time to share their expertise in correcting such behavior in the future in order to make the show a learning experience for the child. 1. The judge s decision shall be final in all matters affecting scoring and the working of the dogs and their handlers in his/her ring. A judge must disqualify any dog that attempts to attack any persons or any other dog in the ring. He/she shall excuse a dog that appears dangerous to other dogs or persons in the ring. Any dog so excused or disqualified will not be permitted to show at County Fair until the incident is reviewed by the Dog Council and Junior Fair Dog Department. 2. The judge is responsible for marking the score sheets, making appropriate comments where necessary and for final tabulation of the scores. The judge is also responsible for awarding the Grade of A, B, or C to be received by the 4-H er and must indicate on the score sheet what grade is to be awarded. It is suggested that the judge mark a grade after the completion of individual exercises. 3. Grading System: At county fair judging, all exhibitors will be given a grade of A, B, or C at the judges discretion. The grades ARE NOT to be based on their numerical scores. Grades will be based on the overall performance of the handler and dog as a team. The judge should place more emphasis on the individual 4-H ers knowledge of the dog project, handling ability, and sportsmanship, rather than on the dog s performance that day. A for excellent; B for good; C for fair. 4. Class Placements: Placements will be awarded according to the exhibitors numerical score. There shall be a first through third place in each class. All awards will be given out irregardless of the scores obtained. Special Needs PMC Handlers Judging Guidelines
4-H ers with special needs can compete in 4-H dog show classes. Judges may make appropriate modification to normal judging and ring procedure to accommodate the special need of the 4-H handler. PMC Showmanship Handler may compete using a cane, crutch or wheelchair. However when gaiting in the group, the judge should insure that a handler who cannot maintain a normal gait be placed in line where it will not interfere with the rest of the dogs to being able to gait properly. In the case of a blind handler or mentally challenged handler a second person may assist them in the individual exam and gaiting. The judge may adjust where they are placed in line to insure an equal opportunity to show their dog and not interfere with the rest of the dogs in being able to gait properly. PMC Obedience/ Rally Handlers may compete using a cane, crutch or wheelchair. Handlers on crutches should not be penalized for any crutch motion that would be considered normal for their disability. However they may not use their crutch to guide or control the dog. The judge may determine what the proper heel position on the left side of the disabled handler is that would correspond with normal heel position. With respect to speed of the handler they will be expected to do the change of pace showing a significant change of speed for the slow and fast pace. In the case of a blind handler or mentally challenged handler a second person may assist them by positioning them in the ring between exercises and follow behind to help guide if necessary. The ring steward may give a verbal aid on the figure 8 so that a blind handler will know where they are. Stewards Stewards are provided to assist the judge. They may act only on the judge s instructions. They should not mark the score sheets unless so instructed by the judge. They may verify the judge s addition if so instructed. Judging Deduction Guidelines Suggested judging deduction guidelines for all Obedience classes are as follows: 1. Minor deductions should be ½ to I point. Substantial Deductions should be 2 to 5 points. 2. If a dog totally refuses to perform a given exercise after repeated attempts by the handler, a score of 0 may be given for that exercise. It is suggested that at least ½ of the available score be awarded to any dog that attempts to perform any given exercise. 3. A dog that relieves itself in the ring shall not be excused or severely penalized. However, minor deductions may be made at the discretion of the judge. 4. Exhibitors not wearing appropriate attire may be penalized 2 to 5 points at judge's discretion. TIES Pre Novice & Novice Obedience: When two or more exhibitors have the same overall scores, the scores in the first exercise will be compared. The exhibitor with the highest score in the first exercise will receive the highest placing, and so forth. If all exhibitors have the same score in the first exercise, the scores in the second exercise will be compared, and so forth until ties are broken. If the scores are equal throughout all of the exercises, including the Exhibitor s Appearance, Dog s Appearance, and Sportsmanship, ties will be broken by the exhibitors and their dogs performing a heeling pattern specified by the judge. Graduate Novice & Above Levels of Obedience: Ties will be broken by the exhibitors and their dogs performing an exercise specified by the judge. Showmanship: When two or more exhibitors have the same overall scores, the scores achieved in the Interview section will be compared. The exhibitor with the highest score will receive the highest placing, and so forth. If all exhibitors have the same Interview score, ties will be broken by the exhibitors and their dogs performing a handling exercise specified by the judge. Premier Exhibitor
Will be tabulated by the following formula. Highest total point earned by an exhibitor showing the same dog in the following classes: Obedience 230 pts. Showmanship 230 pts. Rally 130 pts. Skillathon 100 pts. Total Possible Possible Points Available 690 points 201D YOU & YOUR DOG - POSTER PROJECT 4-H Dog Project Classes A member enrolled in project #201D You & Your Dog will exhibit as a poster project. At county fair this may only be exhibited as a poster project and will be judged on the Saturday before fair during Ag Products/Still-Life Judging. There is also a State Fair Dog Poster Contest. Request rules from Extension Office. State Fair poster entries must be brought to the pre-fair dog show for selection. FIRST YEAR - BEGINNERS CLASS - Project #201O In this class, there will be no numerical scores. Exhibitors will receive a grade of A, B, or C. There will be no placements in this class. The judge's comments are very important in this class, as the following year the 4-H er will hopefully be moving up to a regular obedience or grooming and handling class. This class is designed for the 4-H er who has never taken a dog project. This is meant to be an introduction to the dog project that the 4-H er can build on the following year. They are to display basic dog care knowledge and basic control needed for the family pet. They are not required to perform the exercises with the perfection needed in the Obedience classes. All exercises will be performed on an individual basis. If the exhibitor chooses to take the First Year Beginners Class, they are not eligible to participate in any other competitive classes such as obedience, showmanship or rally. 1. Interview and project book: judge should evaluate exhibitor's knowledge regarding dog care and the completion of his project book and make appropriate comments. 2. Exhibitors' Appearance and Attitude: Judge should evaluate exhibitor as to whether he is dressed appropriately, his courtesy, and sportsmanship and make comments. 3. Dog Appearance and Grooming: Judge should evaluate the condition of the dog taking into consideration dog's age. Dog should be clean, well brushed, toe nails clipped and pads clean. 4. Heel on Lead: The dog should be under reasonable control and walk at the left side of the handier. He should sit when the handler stops. A basic L pattern shall be used. Orders for this exercise will be: forward, halt, right turn, left turn, and about turn. Judge should make applicable comments on the grade sheet as needed. 5. Recall: This exercise should show the dog s willingness to come to the handler when called. The dog shall be left on a sit-stay and come when called. The handler may run backward several steps and gather up the leash. The dog should sit in front of the handler. No finish will be required. 6. Long sit: The dog will be left on a sit-stay with the handler on the end of the leash for one (1) minute. (No group) 7. Long Down: The dog will be left on a down-stay with the handler on the end of the leash for one (1) minute. (No group) At the end of the judging, the judge will make the appropriate comments needed and award a grade of A, B, or C to the exhibitor. SHOWMANSHIP - A & B - Project #201S
The purpose of this class is to provide the 4-H er with an alternative to obedience. It is aimed at the youngster with a pet. The class does not require formal obedience skills. However, the handler is expected to be able to control the dog and have it walk easily on a leash, stand for examination and to show the dogs bite. Judging will also include scoring on a knowledge interview and the project record sheet. Judging: The emphasis in this class should be placed on the 4-H ers general knowledge of dog care, and his ability to control his dog. The exhibitor should present a clean, well-groomed and brushed dog. If the dog is a purebred, it is not required to be in a regulation clip or to have docked tail, ears, or other specified breed standard changes. However, they should have the toenails trimmed, and the ears clean. Final consideration for placements and score should not be placed solely on the handling of the dog, but on overall knowledge and ability. Ties should be broken by asking additional knowledge questions. Judge should be sure to mark a grade of A, B, or C on score sheet and base the grade on the 4-H ers overall performance and not on his numerical score. Class placement will be on numerical score. Winners of the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Grooming & Handling B Classes at County Fair judging will compete for eligibility in Large Animal Sweepstakes. If no B division exhibitor wishes to participate, then an A division exhibitor may take their place. PRE NOVICE A & B - Project #201O Basic AKC exercises are to be executed on lead, in addition to a knowledge interview. Exercises include: Heel on lead; Figure 8; Stand for examination; Recall; Long-sit; Long-down. Judge should bear in mind that these are beginners and that not all 4-H ers have access to AKC oriented leaders and they should not be penalized for failure to do each exercise verbatim to AKC rules. Judge should be sure to mark all areas of the score sheet and be sure to make comments. Placements - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd will be awarded as per numerical score. The judge should mark grade of A, B, or C on the overall performance of the 4-H er and his knowledge without regard for the numerical score. NOVICE A & B This class is based on the Novice AKC classes. Exercises to be executed are: Heel on lead; Figure 8; Stand for examination; Heel free; Recall; Long-sit (1 minute); Long-down (3 minutes); and a knowledge interview. Judging should be done as previously explained in "Judges and Judging." GRADUATE NOVICE A & B Based on AKC Graduate Novice Exercises. Exercises to be executed are: heel free, recall over high jump, drop on recall, dumbbell recall, recall over broad jump, long down (3 min.) (out of sight). Judge as per "Judges and Judging" guidelines. BRACE The Brace class shall be for braces of dogs not necessarily of the same breed that are already entered in a regular project class. The two dogs may be shown with a coupler or unattached; whichever method is used it must be continued throughout all the exercises. The dogs need not be owned by the same person but MUST be handled by one handler. Dogs must be handled and trained only by Junior Fair Exhibitors and MUST be dogs currently enrolled in a 4-H or FFA dog project. Exercises will be the same as those in the Sub-Novice Class. The handler MUST be the owner of one of the dogs. A dog can only be shown in brace class by one handler. NOVICE BRACE See Brace Class. Dogs will be shown off leash as in regular Novice Class but MUST remain coupled. RALLY - PROJECT 201O - Please see complete Rally guidelines for course descriptions, layout, and signs.
Beginner Rally A & B Beginner Rally will have 5 to 10 stations with start and finish not to count. All stations and exercises will be performed on lead. A fifteen minute walk through is allowed for handlers without their dogs prior to start of the class. * Exhibitors may exhibit the same dog in Beginner Rally for only two years one year in A and one year in B then move must up to Novice Rally. ( please note that Novice Rally is still all on lead there only change is additional Rally Stations to complete) Novice Rally A & B Novice Rally will have 10 to 15 stations with a start and finish not to count. All stations and exercises will be done on lead. A fifteen minute walk through is allowed for handlers without their dog prior to the start of the class. Advanced Rally A & B Advance Rally will have 12 to 17 stations with start and finish not to count. The stations and exercises in this class will be performed off lead with one jump. A fifteen minute walk through for handlers without their dogs prior to the start of the class. AGILITY - PROJECT 201P - please see complete Agility Guidelines for courses and equipment information The Agility show is open to all dogs, being at least eighteen months of age, except for bitches in season, dogs suffering any deformity, injury, lameness or illness which may affect the dog s physical or mental performance, or dogs exhibiting signs of aggression. Dogs will be measured at check-in. Exhibitors will be given the opportunity to walk the course prior to the start of their class without their dogs. Exhibitors may show more than one dog per class. * There will a maximum time of three(3) minutes that exhibitor is allowed to complete the course. After which they will be excused from the ring. Equipment: Dogs must wear flat quick release collars and must come to the ring on lead. Jump Heights and Measuring Dogs Dogs will be measured as part of registration each year. Exhibitors may choose to jump at a higher jump height (up to 4 inches over their measured height) 4-H jumps will not be set higher than 24 for any dog. Dogs Height Jump Height 10 inches or less 4 inches Over 10 to 12 8 inches Over 12 to 18 12 inches Over 18 to 22 16 inches Over 22 20 inches Beginners Agility Classes Beginner Agility A shall be for handlers and dogs who are first year Agility Exhibitors Beginner Agility B shall be for those exhibitors and / or dogs in their second year or exhibitor with a new or second dog. Dog may compete on leash using a quick release collar. The obstacle course shall be comprised of ten (10) obstacles set in a simple horseshoe or simple M pattern and shall include; A-Frame (set at 4' 6"), table at 12" inches for all dogs (to be performed in the down position for 5 seconds), Pipe Tunnel, Collapsed Tunnel and Six Hurdles. Standard course time will be 60 seconds. Agility Level One Dogs will compete off lead and may wear a quick release collar. The obstacle course shall be comprised of ten (10) obstacles set in a simple horseshoe or M pattern and related modifications shall be used as in the Beginners class except that the A-Frame shall measure five (5) feet at the apex. Course time will be 60 seconds; maximum 75 seconds. Agility Level Two Dogs must compete off lead and may compete with or without a quick release collar. The course shall be of simple
design being slightly more challenging than a figure 8 and shall include twelve (12) to fourteen (14) obstacles, including an A-Frame set at 5' 6" at the apex, Dog Walk elevation at no more than 3' and planks of no less than 7' in length, Pipe Tunnel, short set of weave poles (5-6). Table set at 12" for dogs jumping in the lower height classes and at 16" for dogs jumping in the higher jump height classes (go be performed at the down position for 5 seconds), Tire Jump and four to six hurdles. Course time 60 seconds; maximum 75 seconds. Agility Level Three Dogs must compete off leash and may compete with or without a quick release collar. Course shall be of simple design being slightly more challenging than a figure 8 and shall include thirteen (13) to fifteen (15) obstacles including the same obstacles as in the Intermediate class with the following modifications; A-Frame set at 5' 10" at the apex (5' 6" for the 8' and 12" height class) and the addition of a see-saw. Course time 60 seconds; maximum 75 seconds. Physically Mentally Challenged Helping Hands Dog Project Classes PMC 4-H ers may enroll in the 201S and 201P Dog Project Areas. Special consideration and modification to the regular classis will be as follows. All Physically Mentally Challenged Dog Classes will allow the showing member to have a Helping Hands partner in the ring with them to aid the PMC member and judge as needed. PMC member s abilities and goals will be determined by the member s parent and advisor. All PMC classes will be non competitive and will receive A B C grade ribbons. PMC Dog Obedience Class Exhibitors enrolled in PMC Obedience will have a knowledge interview and demonstrate the do s ability to heel on lead, figure 8, stand for examination, recall, a long sit (1 min) and long down (1 3 min) all performed individually. PMC Obedience long down times will be determined by the member s ability. If the PMC exhibitor is able to move beyond the basic PMC obedience class he may do so and move up to a PMC Novice or Higher PMC class based on the regular obedience classes but performed alone in the ring without group exercises. PMC Showmanship Class Exhibitors enrolled in PMC Showmanship will have a knowledge interview and demonstrate their abilities to show the dog s bite, stack the dog, gait pattern of the dog and perform requested patterns, while maintaining constant control of the dog. Performed individually with no group examination. PMC Rally Class Exhibitors enrolled in the PMC Rally classes will have a small set of patterns/courses and signs issued at the beginning of the show season to be used throughout the show season. PMC Rally will have between 5-10 stations with start and finish not to count. All stations and exercises will be performed on lead. A fifteen-minute walk through is allowed for handers without their dog prior to the start of the class. PLEASE OBTAIN A CLASS DETERMINATION SHEET FROM THE EXTENSION OFFICE TO OBTAIN SPECIFIC CLASS NUMBERS. Non regular fun show class may be offered by show giving clubs. Cloverbud Class - A non-competitive class for dog club cloverbud members. Class will consist of a knowledge interview, basic control of their dog (heel and sit). Cloverbuds may use a 4-H project dog for this class if they do not have one of their own. Agility Speed Classes at Agility Show.