4-H Dog Project

Exhibit may be a project, poster, interactive demonstration or a combination.

Youth enrolled in the 4-H Dog project are to complete the lesson corresponding to his or her grade as of January 1 of the current year. The reference book is 
4-H 201R Dog Resource Handbook. It is to be used for the entire ten years of 
participation in the 4-H Dog project. Lessons and records need to be turned in PRIOR TO GRADUATION or a date designated by 4-H Dog leaders. 

In order to show, 4-H Dog project members are required to create a poster

demonstrating the learning that occurred as a result of participation. Posters
will be judged at the 4-H fair after 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.

Members may exhibit at the county fair if their paperwork and posters are complete and health rules are followed.

General Requirements

See the Indiana Board of Animal Health requirements for all species,
including dogs, specified in the 4-H CD handbook and on this web site.

Each dog presented for exhibition must be accompanied by a certificate
of vaccination or other statement, signed by a licensed, accredited
veterinarian that indicates the vaccinations each animal has been given.


For more information about animal care and exhibit regulations, contact the Indiana 
Board of Animal Health at 317-227-0320.

Please Note: Certain required vaccinations have not been proven effective in
wolf-hybrids; therefore, because wolf-hybrids cannot meet the vaccination
requirements of the Indiana Board of Animal Health, wolf-hybrid dogs cannot
be shown in the 4-H Dog Program.

All 4-H Fair Dog Show exhibitors must have owned the dog before May 15. 
The dogs
must be owned by member or family member, worked, practiced and shown by the
4-H member. Any exceptions must be approved by leaders and dog committee,
such as leasing or fostering a dog.

The 4-H member may enter THREE (3) dogs in the 4-H Fair to be shown in 
THREE (3)
different classes. Dogs may be purebred or household pets. Each 
4-H exhibitor is
responsible for bringing both the dog and their entry number to the show ring.

The back tag number must be worn at all times during the show.

No dog will be allowed to show if exhibiting symptoms of any communicable disease.

In the interest of safety to others associated with the project, a dog displaying 
signs of
aggression will not be permitted to participate in project workshops or
 show in the annual
exhibit.  It will be the leaders' responsibility to monitor dog temperament.

Inappropriate discipline and/or inhumane treatment of a dog by a handler
and/or family will be grounds for disqualification of the exhibitor.

Aisle ways and exits must be kept clear and open for emergency needs.

Female dogs in season will be asked to show at the end of a class in the interest
of fair play to other exhibitors.


Exhibit Options, Classes

Classes will be determined by member interest and the availability of volunteers as teaching resources.

In as much as possible the county 4-H Dog Show will be operated in accordance
with state fair 4-H show rules. If there is a conflict, local rules will prevail.

Only 4‑H members may show dogs in the judging ring. A 4‑H dog entered but
not presented or available will not be judged.

All 4-H dogs not being shown must be on a leash or crated. All dogs must wear
 
well-fitting slip collars of chain in any obedience class. The leash 
may be of fabric or 
leather and shall be six (6) feet in length. Collar tags will not 
be allowed in the 4-H Show.

Dogs being raised for the handicapped programs are exempt from the
collar and tag requirements. The ownership requirement is also waived for these dogs.

Obedience

The first year class 1A is open only for youngsters and dogs that are both
beginning the project. Any youngster or dog with training before March 1 of
the current 4-H program year must be shown in the 1B class.

A 4-H exhibitor may not repeat the following classes with the same dog:

1A
2A
2B
3A
4A
5A
6A
Novice showmanship

A dog shown in showmanship or drill team must be the same dog the handler
completed the project with in obedience training.

All 4-H handlers are required to clean up after their dog.

Dogs must be taken home following official release from the 4-H Dog Show.

Proper attire

Proper attire will be reviewed though out classes in preparation for the 4-H Dog Show.  
Western boots, flip flops,open toed shoes, and blue jeans with holes are not permitted in
the show. 

FUTURE 4-H DOG Project

Youth enrolled in the Future 4-H Dog project will be involved
in all activities that the club offers.

At meetings youth will work with a dog and or club member to
learn about dog training and handling. 

Future 4-H Exhibit

Color a picture given to you by a leader.  Turn in the picture to judges
on the designated day at the 4-H Fair.  

On show day the Future 4-H exhibitors will show the dog they
have worked with during the year. 

Showmanship

Dogs in showmanship are required to have shown in obedience at the current 4-H Fair, and must be at least 6 months old on day of show. Dogs that have been disqualified in Obedience may not exhibit in Showmanship.

Score sheets will not be used. Exhibitors will receive comment sheets. Call-backs may occur for the judge to decide final placing's.

Junior showmanship For any 4-H member who is in the 3rd, 4th or 5th grades on January 1 of the current year. Once an exhibitor is the junior showmanship winner, he/she is only eligible to compete in intermediate or senior showmanship in subsequent years.

Intermediate showmanship For any 4-H member in the 6th, 7th or 8th grades on January 1 of the current year. Once an exhibitor is the intermediate showmanship winner, he/she must compete in senior showmanship in future years.

Senior showmanship For any 4-H member in the 9th grade or above on January 1 of the current year.

Proper attire: girls-dress, skirt and blouse, culottes, or dress pants. Boys-dress pants, dress shirts; (coat and tie are optional.) Inappropriate attire: smooth soled boots, high heels, backless slip-on shoes, loose fitting shoes or other unsafe footwear.

See 4-H 716-W (Indiana 4-H Dog Showmanship Guide) available through your
County Extension Office or http://www.four-h.purdue.edu for further detail and
clarity on attire, patterns, tips and judges guidelines.

A dog fouling in the ring will be placed lower in the class.

SHOWMANSHIP CRITERIA

  • All Go Round/Entrance
  • Examination of dog
  • Line Up and Stack
  • Individual Gait

 
Agility Terms and Conditions

The 4-H Dog Agility Program is based on guidelines from the United Kennel Club. Some modifications to the UKC rules have been made to provide a program suitable for 4-H handlers of all ages.

  1. Dogs showing in agility are required to have shown in obedience at the current 4-H Fair, and must be at least 1 year old on day of show. Agility is recommended for 1B dogs and higher. Dogs that have been disqualified in Obedience may not compete in Agility. In situations where the dog completes Agility before they complete Obedience; the Agility Score sheet will be pulled for that exhibitor.

  2. Agility section/classes will be entered as Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced and Excellence. Awards will be granted by that classification, regardless of dog size. The show committee will place dogs in the appropriate size division based on the height reported on the entry form. Dogs may be measured at the show to verify accuracy of the reported height.

  3. Each class will offer four (4) divisions based on the dog's height at the withers. Dogs 7 years and over (Veterans) may jump one jump height lower than their actual height. Make sure you indicate at entry if your dog needs to be scheduled as a Veteran.

* Division Toy - dogs up to and including 10" will jump 4" hurdles (note: there is a
   4-inch variance allowed on table height for Toy Dogs; so the table may range from
   0-8 inches)

* Division 1- dogs over 10" and up to and including 14" will jump 8" hurdles.

* Division 2- dogs over 14" through 20" will jump 14" hurdles.

* Division 3- dogs over 20" will jump 20" hurdles.

The Pause Table will be at the hurdle height for each division. 

  1. All agility work will be done on a flat, buckle or quick-release collar.
    * Beginning level A must use a six (6)-foot lead.
    * All other levels will be off lead.
    * Collar tags will not be allowed.

  2. 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.

  3. Scoring will be based on UKC agility rules starting with 200 points and
    subtracting performance faults based on a set course time. Time faults
    for course times exceeding the set time will be deducted by the amount
    in seconds over the set time. Toy, division 1, and giant breed dogs
    (refer to UKC list) will have five (5) seconds added to the set course time.

  4. Agility regulations not covered by these terms and conditions will be based
    on the regulations of the United Kennel Club Inc., 100 E. Kilgore Rd.,
    Kalamazoo, MI 49002-5584, (616) 343-9020, www.ukcdogs.com.
    For information on obstacle specifications, please contact the
    State 4- H Office (765-494-8433).

      8.  If a dog fouls in the ring during the walk through there will be a 10 point deduction
           in the agility score. If a dog fouls in the ring during the scored run, it will be
           excused immediately.  

      9.  It is highly recommended that agility participants wear athletic shoes for competition.

    10.  Handlers who need the aid of supporting devices (crutches, wheelchair, etc.)
           may request extra time for completion of the course. This request must be made
           to the agility committee chair before classes begin that day; and the amount of time
           allowed will be determined by the judge.

In Agility, dogs with qualifying scores will place ahead of dogs with non-qualifying scores. 
Dogs must successfully complete each obstacle on the course to receive a qualifying score.

  • 4-H dog exhibitors will receive a participation ribbon

  • Honorable mention ribbons will be awarded to non-placed entries when
    deemed appropriate in classes 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B.

 

Common Dog Diseases                             Indiana 4-H Dog Obedience Guide

Indiana 4-H Dog Showmanship Guide     

Indiana 4-H Dog Agility Guide

Dog Grade 3 Record Sheet                        Dog Grade 4 Record Sheet

Dog Grade 5 Record Sheet                        Dog Grade 6 Record Sheet                       

Dog Grade 7 Record Sheet                          Dog Grade 8 Record Sheet                       

Dog Grade 9 Record Sheet                          Dog Grade 10 Record Sheet               

Dog Grade 11 Record Sheet                        Dog Grade 12 Record Sheet                     

4-H Dog Drill Team Class

Implementing Environmental Enrichment for Dogs 

Enriching the Environment for your dog

2018 Board of Animal Health Exhibit Requirements 

2019 Dog Vaccination Form