Dog

This is your online resource for the 2020 4-H Dog project. The record sheet is attached below. If you have any questions, please refer to the 4-H Handbook or contact the Extension Office.

*If you have trouble accessing any of these documents below because of a disability, please contact the Jackson Co. Extension Office at (812) 358-6101 or send an email to schneidh@purdue.edu.

Here are the requirements for this project:

DOG

• 4-H members may exhibit two dogs at the 4-H Dog Show.
• All 4-H dogs must be owned and cared for by the 4-H’er since May 15.
• Outside of the show ring, all 4-H dogs must be on a leash or in their crate. No training is allowed in the building.
• All 4-H dogs must have a completed certificate of vaccination signed by a licensed and accredited veterinarian indicating that the dog has been vaccinated for rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis and kennel cough to present at the Dog Show. Dates must be included for each vaccine. All information must be completed on the vaccination certificate or the animal will be sent home. Animals that are vaccinated at home must provide an original receipt for the vaccine and attach the receipt and the label for the vaccine on the vet form; in addition to putting the date of vaccination on the form.
• A dog displaying signs of aggression will not be allowed to show in the interest of safety to others associated with the show. Dogs that bite any official (including judges) will be disqualified from all further activities and will be sent home from the show.
• 4-H members are responsible for the actions of their dogs.
• Female dogs who are “in season” will not be allowed to compete in the dog show. These dogs should be left at home, so they do not distract other dogs and prevent the exhibitors from being able to demonstrate their true abilities.
• Excessive and/or inhumane treatment of a 4-H dog by a handler and/or family member will be grounds for disqualification of the 4-H exhibitor.
• 4-H dogs must wear a well fitted slip, buckle, or martindale collar made of leather, fabric or chain in order to be exhibited in dog show classes. The leash must be made of fabric or leather and must be six (6) feet in length. Collar tags will not be allowed in the 4-H show. Head halters are useful training tools, and are acceptable in the 4-H training program. However, the head halter is not acceptable show equipment.
• A dog being shown in the dog project must belong to the exhibitor or to a member of the immediate family or household. Dogs may only be shown by the 4-H member. This term does not apply to sibling and parents.
• The 4-H showmanship and agility dog must be the same animal that was shown by the 4-H exhibitor in an obedience class. Dogs that have been disqualified in their obedience class are not eligible for exhibition in showmanship or agility.
• Commercial advertisement or insignia on 4-H exhibitors is prohibited during the dog show; however, the 4-H clover is permitted.
• All 4-H exhibitors are required to clean up after their dog.
• The 4-H arm band number should be exhibited on the handler’s left arm at all times when competing in the ring.
• No bait allowed in the ring except for showmanship.

Judging Classes

Agility:

• Dogs showing in agility are required to have shown in obedience and must be at least 1 year old on day of show. Agility is recommended for 1B dogs and higher.
• Dogs 7 years and over (Veterans) may jump ne jump height lower than their actual height.
• All agility work will be done on a flat, buckle collar. Beginning level A must use a six foot lead. All other levels will be off lead. Collar tags will not be allowed.
• Once all paws have touched contact equipment, the dog must either complete the obstacle or move to the next one. No additional attempts will be allowed.

1. Beginner-A                                     5. Advanced - A
2. Beginner-B                                     6. Advanced - B
3. Intermediate - A                             7. Excellence - A
4. Intermediate - B                             8. Excellence - B

Showmanship:

• Proper attire: girls-dress, skirt and blouse, culottes, or dress pants. Boys-dress pants, and a shirt with collar. Inappropriate attire: smooth soled boots, high heels, backless slip-on shoes, loose fitting shoes or other unsafe footwear.
• A dog fouling in the ring will be placed lower in the class.
• Dogs showing in showmanship are required to have shown in obedience and must be at least 6 months old on day of show.

Junior Showmanship - For any 4-H exhibitor in grades 3, 4 & 5. Once an exhibitor is the Junior Showmanship Winner, he/she is only eligible to compete in intermediate or senior showmanship.

    Intermediate Showmanship - For any 4-H exhibitor in grades 6, 7, & 8. Exceptions only for previous Junior Showmanship winners. Once an exhibitor is the Intermediate Showmanship Winner, he/she is only eligible to compete in Senior Showmanship.

    Senior Showmanship - For any 4-H exhibitor in grades 9 or above. Exceptions only for previous Intermediate Showmanship winners. Once an exhibitor is the Senior Showmanship Winner, he/she is only eligible to compete in Master Showmanship. (This is a county rule.)

    Master Showmanship - For previous winners of Senior Showmanship.

Obedience:        

    First Year - Section A (Class 1-A): For 4-H’ers with no previous formal dog training experience with a dog which has received no obedience training prior to January 1 of the current year. Previous mini-dog member showing at any obedience show must advance to Level 1-B.

    First Year - Section B (Class 1-B): For 4-H’ers with previous dog training experience (4-H or otherwise), coming back with a new dog, or for 4-H’ers with no experience whose dogs have had training, which disqualifies them for 1-A.

    Second Year - Section A (Class 2-A): For 4-H’ers and dogs which have completed 1-A and/or 1-B.

Second Year - Section B (Class 2-B): Same as 2-A, only has drop on recall and three (3) and five (5) minute sit and downs.

    Third Year - Section A (Class 3-A): For 4-H’ers and dogs which have completed second year work.

    Third Year - Section B (Class 3-B): For 4-H’ers and dogs which have spent a year in 3-A, but are not ready for fourth year work. May be repeated.

    Fourth Year - Section A (Class 4-A): For 4-H’ers and dogs which have completed third year work.

    Fourth Year - Section B (Class 4-B): For 4-H’ers and dogs which have spent a year in 4-A, but are not ready for fifth year work. May be repeated.

    Fifth Year - Section A (Class 5-A): For 4-H’ers and dogs which have completed fourth year work.

           Fifth Year - Section B (Class 5-B): For 4-H’ers and dogs which have spent a year in 5-A, but are not ready for sixth year work. May be repeated.

    Sixth Year - Section A (Class 6-A): For 4-H’ers and dogs who have completed fifth year work.

    Sixth Year - Section B (Class 6-B): For 4-H’ers and dogs which have spent a year in 6-A and may repeat.

    Veterans Class: For dogs 7 years old and above, or who have physical impairments which prohibit them from participating in other classes. The dog must have completed at least class 2-B in previous years. Dogs which are physically challenged must be accompanied by a letter from a veterinarian stating that the dog is unable to perform jumping and/or retrieving exercises. A dog may not show in any other obedience class, once they have competed in the Veteran’s Class. May be repeated.

NOTE: CLASS CHANGES AT THE LEADERS DISCRETION ONLY!

Poster Exhibit Requirements:

• Dog poster: A 22”x28” educational poster displayed horizontally with a stiff backing and a clear protective covering. To be judged at the 4-H Dog Show.
• All posters, notebooks, and display boards must include a reference list indicating where information was obtained, giving credit to the original author, to complete the 4-H member’s exhibit. This reference list should/might include web site links, people and professionals interviewed, books, magazines, etc. It is recommended this reference list be attached to the back of a poster or display board, be the last page of a notebook, or included as part of the display visible to the public. A judge is not to discredit an exhibit for the manner in which references are listed.

Level 1 (Grades 3-5)

1. Exhibits (do a minimum of one)
2. Complete a minimum of 4 activities per year in the Level 1 Dog manual. Turn in your manual at the Dog show. Turn in your green folder with record sheet on Wednesday prior to the Fair or at the county dog show.
   1. Exhibit your animal(s) at the Jackson County Dog Show.
   2. An educational poster (following poster guidelines) or exhibit that shows something the 4-H’er learned from a completed activity in the Level 1 manual. Must be turned in on Wednesday prior to the fair or the county dog show, whichever comes first.
   3. Action Demo at the Fair. (Sign up at the Extension Office by Wednesday before the Fair.

Level 2 (Grades 6-8)

1. Complete a minimum of 4 activities in the Level 2 Dog manual. Turn in your manual at the Dog Show. Turn in your green folder with a record sheet on Wednesday prior to the Fair or at the county dog show.
2. Exhibits (do a minimum of one)
   1. Exhibit your animal(s) at the Jackson County Dog Show.
   2. An educational poster (following poster guidelines) or exhibit that shows something the 4-H’er learned from a completed activity in the Level 2 manual. Must be turned in on Wednesday prior to the fair or the county dog show, whichever comes first.
   3. Action Demo at the Fair. (Sign up at the Extension Office by Wednesday before the Fair.)

Level 3 (Grades 9-12)

1. Complete a minimum of 4 activities per year in the Level 3 Dog manual. Turn in your manual at the Dog Show. Turn in your green folder with a record sheet on Wednesday prior to the Fair or the county dog show.
2. Exhibit (do a minimum of one)
   1. Exhibit your animal(s) at the Jackson County Dog Show.
   2. An educational poster (following poster guidelines) or exhibit that shows something the 4-H’er learned from a completed activity in the Level 3 manual. Must be turned in on Wednesday prior to the fair or county dog show, whichever comes first
   3. Action Demo at the Fair. (Sign up at the Extension Office by Wednesday before the Fair.)

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