TAILWAGGER'S 4-H DOG SHOW (QUALIFICATION FORMD STATE FAIR) GENERAL RULES & REGULATIONS: 1. See 4-H Club Department General Rules as they apply. 2. When possible, except where expressly altered in these rules, the American Kennel Club (AKC) regulations will be used as the standard for judging. 3. Club sportsmanship and the 4-H Code of Conduct are expected at all times. Any 4-H member showing disrespect or unsportsmanlike conduct, or who willfully interferes with another handler, may be excused from showing. 4. All exhibitors must be in good standing with their club and have completed and submitted to their leader a copy of each of the following: a. Code of Ethics form b. Health Statement form c. Maryland Livestock Code of Ethics form d. Maryland 4-H Enrollment form 5. The Tailwagger's Dog Show is open to all Maryland 4-H members and complies with all inclusionary regulations. Exhibitors representing other counties will not be considered when selecting Frederick County participants for the State Fair. All exhibitors will receive a class placement or a participation award unless disqualified from the class by a judge. 6. All exhibitors competing for State Fair class slots representing Frederick County must be currently enrolled in a Frederick County 4-H club, and be enrolled in the dog project prior to May 1st of the current calendar year. (Residency in Frederick County is not required). 7. Exhibitors may compete in Jr. Showmanship as well as Obedience. I Exhibitors may use either the same or a different dog in these classes.. Please note that all registration requirements must be met for each competing dog and a dog project record (for the Record Book) must I be completed on each dog shown. 8. No dogs shall be left unattended before, during, or after the show.
ENTRIES 1. Dogs must be at least six (6) months of age to compete in Showmanship and Obedience and 12 months of age in Agility, as of the date of the show. 2. All dogs, whether registered or not, purebred or mix-breed, are eligible to compete. 3. Exhibitors may compete according to their age as of January 1 of the current year: Junior ages 8-10; Intermediate ages 11-13; and Senior ages 14-18. Exhibitors may compete in an older age level but not in a younger one. 4. Bitches in-season will not be permitted on the grounds nor will they be permitted to compete. However, for the Frederick County exhibitors with a veterinarian's note presented on the day of the show, an opportunity to exhibit at the State Fair may be possible if an opening exists for a class after all other class participants are selected. 5. All dogs must have a (pink) Dog Identification card on file at the county office by June 1st of the current year for each dog to be exhibited. 6. All dogs must be trained and groomed by the 4-H exhibitor as part of an on-going project. Exceptions - help with specialty breed grooming (i.e., clipping, stripping) by a parent or approved volunteer. 7. A dog may be shown only once in each division unless in first year classes where stated otherwise. 8. If a personal or other dog related conflict arises (such as illness, injury or bitch in-season) and the Tailwagger's Dog Show must be missed, in order to be considered for qualifications for the Maryland State Fair: a. Candidates must have shown at the Wills Fair show. b. A copy of the obedience class score sheet from the Wills Fair must be faxed, mailed or delivered to the Tailwagger's Dog Show leader within one 1) week after the Tailwagger's Dog Show in order to be considered for a slot in the obedience classes at State Fair. c. Jr. Showmanship results may be considered. However, since the judging of this class is subjective, the Tailwagger's Dog Show leader will have discretion when considering Wills Fair placements. 2
HEALTH/SAFETY 1. All dogs must have a current rabies vaccination certificate on file with the Tailwagger's 4-H club. Any dog without written proof of a current rabies vaccination will not be allowed to compete. Counties other than Frederick may present a copy of their current rabies certificate on the day of the show. 2. All members are responsible for the care and safety of their animals. If, in the opinion of a Tailwagger's club leader, an animal's health or safety is determined to be in jeopardy, the exhibitor may be excused from the grounds. Dogs may be inspected prior to or during the show by a Tailwagger's club leader or judge to determine general health and wellbeing. Unfit or unhealthy animals, as determined by a Tailwagger's club leader or a judge, will be excused from competition. Unfit or unhealthy may include, but is not limited to... a. filthy - caked dirt, matted coat, flea infestation b. contagious or parasitic skin disorders; mange, lice, mites, open or infected sores or injuries c. lameness or painful movement d. oozing or weeping eyes or ears e. persistent coughing, gagging or choking, vomiting or projectile diarrhea f. visual evidence of internal parasites such as worms 3. Any dog that bites (tooth contact) either another dog or human will be excused from competition. Any dog which, in the opinion of the judge, is aggressive, uncontrollable, or unapproachable, may be excused from the competition. 3
DRESS CODE 1. Suggested attire: a. Jr. Showmanship 1. Girls - dress, jumper, suit, stockings or socks, supportive closed shoes 2. Boys - collared shirt, tie or bolo, slacks, supportive closed shoes b. Obedience 1. Girls - Same as above, or slacks, Bermuda style shorts 2. Boys - Same as above, or Bermuda style shorts c. Agility 1. Girls and Boys - comfortable, easy to move around in clothing, closed shoes 2. Any exhibitor wearing questionable attire may be excused from the competition. Excluded dress includes (but is not limited to): a. skirts, shorts, or skorts more than 3" above the knee b. bare mid-drifts c. open-toes shoes such as sandals d. blue jeans e. "baggies" or cargo style baggy pants OWNER RESPONSIBILITY 1. All exhibitors will be responsible to provide: a. water/food and bowls b. shade c. confmement d. waste product clean up (scoop your poop) e. appropriate collars, leads, and obedience articles as required by the class f. grooming supplies g. comfortable chair *NOTE: Food concessions mayor may not be available on the show grounds 4
REGISTRATION 1. An entry fee of $5.00 per dog will be charged to participants from counties other than Frederick to help defray expenses. There will be no entry fee for Frederick County exhibitors. 2. Registration will be held on the day of the show beginning 'is hour before the first event. JUDGING 1. All Tailwagger's club leaders and judges' decisions are final. 2. Judges may excuse from the ring: a. any handler who willfully interferes with another animal or handler b. any animal which cannot be controlled or is not approachable c. any obviously ill or lame animal 3. Any handler who physically abuses their animal in or out of the ring will be disqualified and excused from the grounds and will forfeit ALL prizes, including money, if applicable. 4. All animals must remain under control at all times. This may include a leash or restraining area such as a crate or ex-pen when not in competition. OBEDIENCE The exhibitor and dog are evaluated and judged as a team, using a set of predetermined exercises to determine the usefulness of the dog as a companion to man. The dog and exhibitor must also demonstrate teamwork, willingness and enjoyment of their work. l. An exhibitor may only show in one (1) obedience class at the State Fair but may show in more than one (1) obedience class at the Tailwagger's Dog Show. A dog that has won their obedience class at a previous State 4-H Dog Show may not compete in that same class again. The dog must move up to a higher level class or the exhibitor must move up to the next age level (i.e. Junior to Intermediate). Advancement will be at the discretion of the local4-h Dog Project leader. Once a dog advances to a higher level it cannot move back to 5
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. a lower level- an exception will be made for l" Year Pre-Novice classes. A dog may be entered only once in each class. AKC obedience regulations will be liberally applied a. no bait b. well-fitting flat buckle collars or flat slip collars of fabric, leather or chain only c. No training devices allowed of any kind All exercises will be done individually except for the long sit and long down (which will be done in convenient groups). A qualifying score (170 points) is not necessary to receive a class placement. Any dog that has earned a qualifying score at a sanctioned event in a novice class may not compete in the sub-novice class. A 6' (foot) leash of leather or fabric is required for Primary & Sub- Novice classes. Score sheets will be available at the judge's discretion. Jump heights (open and utility) will be expected at the steward's table prior to the start of the class. CLASS DESCRIPTION - OBEDIENCE Primary Exercises (For Exhibition Only) - This class is offered at the Tailwagger's Dog Show as an introduction to obedience classes and is designed for the very beginner to have an opportunity to begin showing in the ring. There is NO class in this category/level at the State Fair. It is open to exhibitors of all ages. This class will receive placement ribbons but is NOT ELIGIBLE for the High-in- Trial award. The total point value that can be accumulated is 160 points for a perfect score. All work is done on lead. -Walk comfortably at the side of the handlerleft turn, right turn, about turn, halt -Sit on command -Remain sitting while exhibitor circles dog and returns to heel position -Down on command -Remain down while exhibitor circles dog and returns to heel position -Allow judge to examine dog TOTAL 20 points 20 points 160 points 6
First Year Pre-Novice (Junior, Intermediate, Senior) - Exhibitors who are in the first year of training their first dog are eligible to compete in this class. All work will be done on lead, including the stays. -Heel on lead -Figure 8 -Stand for examination -Recall -Long sit (1 minute) -Long down (3 minutes) TOTAL 50 points 200 points Pre-Novice (Junior, Intermediate, Senior) - Dogs which have earned one (1) leg towards their CD (Companion Dog) title from AKC or an equivalent title from another registry (i.e. U-CD from UKC), may not compete in this class. All work will be done on lead, including the stays. -Heel on lead -Figure 8 -Stand for examination -Recall -Long sit (1 minute) -Long down (3 minutes) TOTAL 50 points 200 points Novice (Junior, Intermediate, Senior) - Dogs which have earned a CD (Companion Dog) title from the AKC or an equivalent title from another registry (i.e. U-CD from UKC), may not compete in this class. The heel and figure 8 are done on lead, while the remainder of the exercise is done off lead. -Heel on lead and Figure 8 -Stand for examination (off lead) -Heel free -Recall (offlead) -Long sit (1 minute off lead) -Long down (3 minutes off lead) TOTAL 40 points 40 points 200 points 7
Graduate Novice (all4-h ages) - Dogs, which have not obtained one (1) leg toward CDX title from the AKC or an equivalent title from another registry but have obtained a CD title from the AKC or an equivalent title from another registry are eligible to compete in this class. Dogs that have placed 1st in a Novice Obedience Class at a previous 4-H State Dog Show may also compete in this class. -Open heel free and figure 8 -Moving stand and examination -Moving drop on recall -Dumbbell recall -Recall over broad jump -Long down (5 minutes out of sight) TOTAL 40 points 40 points 200 points Open and Utility Obedience - These classes represent advanced obedience and any Exhibitor that has trained their dog to complete the respective class exercises may compete in the classes. All entries must indicate the appropriate dog jump heights (Open - high and broad; Utility - high). a. Open exercises consist of: Heel free and figure 8, drop on recall, retrieve on flat, retrieve over high, broad jump, long sit, and down-out-of-sight. b. Utility exercises consist of: Signal exercise, scent discrimination (2), directed retrieve, moving stand, examination and directed jumping. FITTING & SHOWING (SHOWMANSHIP) All exhibitors will be evaluated and judged individually and in a group to determine their ability to fit, groom, and present their project to the judge. Additional consideration is given to teamwork between dog and exhibitor, responsiveness, manners and attitude. 1. A First year showman may enter both the "first year" and novice classes. However, a First Year exhibitor may enter a First Year Showmanship class only once during their 4-H tenure. 2. All fitting (grooming) must be done by the exhibitor except where help is needed with specialized breed grooming (i.e. clipping, stripping). Artificial preparations such as powder or cornstarch may 8
.~ NOT be left on the dog. Refer to the "4-H and FFA Fitting & Showmanship Regulations". 3. Dogs must be clean (including their ears) with coats well brushed and free of mats. Dogs should be free of external parasites. Allowances may be made by the judge for unavoidable surface dirt due to wet weather. 4. Exhibitors should be able to show their dogs at an appropriate gait, show the dog's bite upon judge's request, and stand their dogs in an acceptable pose to permit examination by the judge. Exhibitors should be able to answer questions on care, grooming, and background of their breed(s). 5. Fitting of dog (body condition, grooming) will account for 40 points and showing in the ring (performance of dog, presentation of dog, alertness of exhibitor, personal appearance of the exhibitor) will account for 60 points. 6. Performance of the dog will not count against the exhibitor unless in the judge's opinion it interferes with another exhibitor's dog. The ability of the exhibitor to show their dog to its best advantage, whether the dog is cooperating or not, will be evaluated. It is ~ expected that the exhibitor will have worked with their dog adequately prior to the show and have developed a working relationship with the dog. 7. Any exhibitor who has a) previously been a County Showmanship Champion, b) has finished a dog in AKC breed competition, or c) won a Grand Champion, or a showmanship class as an open exhibitor, at State Fair must compete in the "Elite" (all age) class. 8. First year and novice exhibitors will be expected to mow the a) down and back, and b) triangle gaiting patterns only. 9. Open and elite exhibitors will be expected to know all usual gaiting patterns including pairs. 10. Baiting is allowed at the judge's discretion. NO throwing bait. 9
Class Descriptions First Year Novice (Junior, Intermediate, Senior) - Exhibitors who are in their first year of training and showing their first dog are eligible to compete in this class. Novice (Junior, Intermediate, Senior) - This class represents those who have previously shown their first dog in their first year of training, or who have not advanced to the Open class. Exhibitors who have previously placed 1=., 3 rd in a Novice Fitting & Showmanship class, or who are regarded as Open Junior Handlers by the AKC, are not eligible for this class and must compete in the appropriate Open Fitting & Showmanship class. Open (Junior, Intermediate, Senior) - This class represents advanced fitting & showmanship. Once an exhibitor competes in an Open Fitting & Showmanship class they may not compete in a Novice Fitting & Showmanship class. Dean's Champion Challenge - Senior Open Fitting & Showmanship Champions from previous years may compete in this class. Exhibitors who have been named Champion of the previous year's State 4-H Dog Show Fitting & Showmanship classes may also compete in this class. Written 2/2002 Revised 11/2004 10