Department 4J - Dogs

Department 4J – Dogs

1. General Rules & Regulations

1. Obedience

   1. All exercises will be done individually except the long sit and long down (these will be done in convenient groups)

   2. Class Descriptions

      1. First Year Pre-Novice:  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.

      2. Pre-Novice:  All work will be done on lead, including the stays.  Exercises: heel; figure 8; long sit (1 Min­ute); stand for examination; recall; long down (3 Minutes).

      3. Novice:  Exercises: heel on lead and figure 8; stand for examination (off lead & judge will touch dog); heel free; recall (off lead & judge will direct handler to a position away from the dog prior to handler calling dog); long sit (1 minute, off lead & handler will be on other side of ring from their dog, but in sight of the dog); Long down (3 minutes off lead & handler will be on other side of ring from their dog, but in sight of the dog).

      4. Graduate Novice:  Exercises:  open heel free & figure 8; moving stand and examination (judge will touch dog); moving drop on recall; dumbbell recall; recall over broad jump; long down (5 minutes, off lead & handler will be out of sight).

      5. All dogs must have current rabies shots and proof of date and number.

2. Showmanship

   1. First Year Novice:  Exhibitors who are in the first year of training and showing their first dog are eligible to compete in this class.

   2. All other classes are by 4-H/FFA age.

3. Rally

1. An exhibitor may show 2 dogs in different Rally classes in the same age division (not more than 1 per class).  A dog that has won a Rally class in a previous State 4-H Dog Show may not compete in that same class again.  The dog must move up to a higher Rally class (i.e. Novice to Advanced) or the Exhibitor must move to the next age level (i.e. Junior to Intermediate).  Advancement will be at the discretion of the Local 4-H Dog Project Leader.  Once a dog advances to a higher level it cannot move back to a lower level.

2. All course runs will be done individually.

3. Exercises and Judging Criteria for all divisions will follow AKC rules that are in effect as of January 1 of the current year.

4. Novice Rally: Dogs which have earned their RN (Rally Novice) title from AKC or an equivalent title from another registry may not compete in this class.  All work will be done on lead.

5. Advanced Rally: Dogs which have earned their RA (Rally Advanced) title from AKC or an equivalent title from another registry may not compete in this class.  All work will be done off leash.

6. Excellent A Rally: Dogs which have won this class, with a qualifying score in prior years, or have earned their RE (Rally Excellent) title from AKC or an equivalent title from another registry may not compete in this class.  All work, with the exception of the Honor Exercises, will be done off leash.

7. Excellent B Rally: For dogs that have won Excellent A class at the State Fair in prior years, with a qualifying score or have the AKC RE (Rally Excellent) title.  All work, with the exception of the Honor Exercise, is done off-leash.