1. While
on the show grounds, no one other than the 4-H exhibitor may handle,
train, work or groom his/her dog. Violation of this rule will result in
disqualification. Each owner/handler is liable and responsible for his/her
dog's behavior. Any dog exhibiting acts of aggression will be excluded from
participation. Dogs must be on a leash, except during performances requiring
unrestricted movement. Dogs are not permitted anywhere on the show grounds (or
Florida State Fairgrounds) except the Dog Show area. Each
owner/handler is liable and responsible for his/her dog's behavior. ANY DOG
EXHIBITING ACTS OF AGGRESSION WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM PARTICIPATION.
2. Purebred and mixed breed dogs are welcomed as entries.
All dogs must be at least 6 months of age. Dogs entered in Agility must be
at least 1 year of age as of day of show. Two members of the same
family may show the same dog ONLY in different DIVISION classes (ie.
Showmanship, Obedience, Agility, Rally). Dogs should be bathed, combed,
and nails clipped. No dogs are to be left unattended in cars. No Female dogs in
season will be allowed to compete. Dogs without height cards will be measured
at check-in. All dogs are subject to measurements. All dogs are
required to have up-to-date inoculations.
3. CLASS AWARDS
& RULES: Ribbons or prizes will be
awarded in each class. The decision of the Judge in all classes is FINAL.
All classes; Showmanship, Obedience, Agility & Rally will be
judged according to AKC rules and regulations as modified by 4-H.
Class entries are FINAL. Class changes will not be allowed on Show day.
Sending in an entry constitutes your agreement to abide by the rules of
the show. Any protest must be made in writing to the show
committee and accompanied by a deposit of $50.00, which will be refunded if the
protest is sustained and forfeited if the protest is not sustained. Please Note: in Agility and Rally a dog
will be allowed three refusals, after which points will be deducted and
exhibitors must move on to the next obstacle.
4. CLASS DIVISIONS
& PLACEMENT: Showmanship,
Obedience, Agility and Rally classes may be divided into Junior, Intermediate
& Senior if number of entries warrant at the committee’s
discretion. Age groups determined by exhibitors age as of September 1, of
the current 4-H year: Junior (810 years) Intermediate (1113
years), Senior (1418 years).
Exhibitors in
Showmanship should remember; Showmanship is judged on the exhibitor (not
necessarily the dog) therefore exhibitors should enter ONLY ONE showmanship
class (regardless of the number of dogs they are showing). The appropriate
class to enter should be determined by the experience and show record of the
handler- first, the dog’s experience is secondary. If required, the Show
Committee shall determine proper class placement in any class
based upon qualifications of the handler and the dog.
5. ATTIRE: In all classes exhibitors will be
required to be clean and neat. No caps or hats. Closed toed/closed heel shoes
or boots are required. (See suggested attire rules below).
SHOW
INFORMATION
SHOW SPONSORSHIPS:
4-H Dog shows are supported strictly
by donations, including all awards and costs associated with putting on the
show. Any individual or business who would like to assist us in supporting the
Florida 4-H Dog Project youth by contributing a tax deductible
donation are encouraged to contact Sally Alford at horsepny@tampabay.rr.com or
(813) 967-1931.
VOLUNTEERS:
This show is organized and run by volunteers who make every
effort to make it an enjoyable experience for all attendees. WE NEED MORE
HELP inside and outside of the show rings. Since it takes a great amount of
workers to run a successful show all Club Leaders from ALL
COUNTIES are encouraged to contact their fellow club leaders and
parents who will be attending the show- and encourage them
to volunteer IN ADVANCE to help with the show. Training for ALL jobs
will be provided on site. Even if you have no prior experience- PLEASE
VOLUNTEER.! Please fill out the show volunteer info on the entry form or
contact Sally Alford at horsepny@tampabay.rr.com (813) 967-1931.
CRATING AREAS:
Bring your chairs, crates, tables and
coolers. Please indicate on your entry form- which County you will be
crating with- to allow us to plan the amount of crating space needed. Those
exhibitors wishing to set up independently will be provided a crating area as
well.
PARENTS AND 4-H LEADERS CAN HELP US IN
SEVERAL WAYS: Donate
class or show sponsorships to help support the show. PLEASE volunteer to help
at the show. Please make sure that all exhibitors are aware of all of the
requirements for the classes they enter. Read the rules and class
descriptions. For AKC rules and regulations visit
"http://www.akc.org/insideAKC/regs.cfm" or call (919) 233-9767. If this is your
childs first show experience, ask your 4-H leader/trainer what to expect at a
show, and how best to prepare.
CLEAN UP: Each
owner/handler is responsible for picking up after his/her dog. There will be a designated exercise area available
for use. Failure to clean up after your dog can result in
dismissal from the show.
HOLD HARMLESS
ADDENDUM
OWNER represents to the
Florida and/or Hillsborough County 4-H Dog Show that no
animals that are exhibited or otherwise transported onto the show grounds (or
FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS) will in anyway be suffering from any contagious or
infectious disease. In addition, OWNER shall defend, indemnify, and hold the
show grounds (or State Fairgrounds), Florida and/or Hillsborough County 4-H Dog
Show, and the applicable Show Committee and each of their respective officials,
officers, directors, employees and agents harmless of and from all losses,
damages, claims, expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees at the trial
and appellate levels, actions and causes of action arising out of, or in any
way connected with, or by reason of this Agreement. The presence of OWNER'S
livestock at the Florida and/or Hillsborough County 4-H Dog Show and the show
grounds (or FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS), and/or use of the show grounds (or
FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS) including, but not limited to any claim for the
death of, or injury to any person or livestock, or damage to, theft of, or
destruction of any property arising out of any act or omission of OWNER,
OWNER'S officers, agents, employees, trainers, drivers, riders, handlers,
contractors and livestock, violation of any Federal, State and Local
environmental laws, rules, ordinances and/or regulations, actions for
negligence, wrongful death, torts, defects in the real and personal property at
the show grounds (or FLORIDA STATE FAIRGROUNDS) and from any alleged liability,
cause, litigation or proceeding whatsoever, even if such injury, death, loss or
property damage results, in whole or in part, from the negligence of the
applicable Show Committee and their respective officials, officers, directors,
employees and agents or otherwise. Neither the Florida and/or Hillsborough County 4-H Dog Show nor such
applicable Show Committee shall be liable to OWNER, or any officer, agents,
employees, trainers, drivers, riders, handlers, or other contractors, invitees
or guests of OWNER for any injury or damage to livestock, person or property.
The Florida and/or Hillsborough County 4-H Dog Show and show grounds (or State
Fairgrounds), its officers or agents, assume no liability for any loss or
damage to property (including but not limited to livestock) on account of fire,
theft, or any other cause including infectious or contagious diseases. In
addition, OWNER acknowledges receiving and agrees to abide by the applicable
rules and regulations of the Florida or Hillsborough County 4-H Dog Show.
ATTIRE
Showmanship
Attire: In dressing for showmanship, you should take extra care
to present yourself to the best of your ability. Your appearance is important
to the impression you make in the ring. Be neat, attractive, comfortable and
pleasant to watch. Caps or hats are not allowed.
Rubber soled boots or
shoes with closed toe and heel are best, high heels are
discouraged (and may be counted against you). Due to safety
considerations, open toed and/or open heel shoes are
prohibited. Make sure you can run quietly
and easily in the shoes you choose. Tennis or other canvas/leather shoes if
neat and clean are acceptable when not out of place with the rest of your
attire. Since you are dressing for the show ring, being trendy is not
necessary. Emphasis should be placed on being clean and neat, (no dog hair on
your clothing!) Remember, judges have individual opinions that may vary, but
staying close to the standard is recommended.
FOR GIRLS:
Dresses, skirts, culottes/skorts of
modest length and jackets with sleeves are recommended, attractive pant
suits are acceptable. Business type suits are a good example to follow. Short
skirts are discouraged as well as long flowing skirts that may
detract from your dogs movement. Care should be taken to secure hair away from
face, and excessive jewelry or accessories are not
recommended.
FOR BOYS: Collared
dress shirts and dress pants are appropriate, a tie and/or jacket are
encouraged. Preferred dress is “business like”.
AGILITY, OBEDIENCE & RALLY
ATTIRE: Casual attire is
acceptable, jeans, t-shirts (or club shirts) and tennis shoes are fine. You
should always be neat and clean when presenting your dog in the show
ring
CLASS RULES
SHOWMANSHIP
SHOWMANSHIP:
Handlers are judged on preparation and presentation of their dog - grooming -
posing - gaiting. Appropriate showmanship lead required. Exhibitors in
Showmanship should remember; Showmanship is judged on the exhibitor (not
necessarily the dog) therefore exhibitors should enter ONLY ONE showmanship
class (regardless of the number of dogs they are showing). The appropriate
class to enter should be determined by the experience and show record of the
handler- first, the dogs experience is secondary. If required, the Show
Committee shall determine proper class placement in any class
based upon qualifications of the handler and the dog.
Basic
- For beginning handler and
beginning dog in their first year of showing
(only).
Novice-
Handler in their second (or greater) year of showing, or beginning handler with
experienced dog.
Advanced -
Handlers who have won First Place in a Novice Showmanship class at a
previous State 4-H Dog Show regardless of dogs experience level, or
handlers who have competed in and placed in Showmanship competition at 3 or
more AKC Dog Shows (with competition).
OBEDIENCE
OBEDIENCE: Obedience will be
judged according to AKC rules as modified by 4-H. Acceptable collars include
metal & nylon training, buckle flat collar and martingale style. NO TAGS OR
ATTACHMENTS ARE ALLOWED. A six-foot leash is required for Basic and Sub-Novice A
& B Classes. In Obedience any scoring ties will be broken
first by the best sits & down score, secondly by the best
healing score, thirdly, (if needed) by the best stand for examination
score.
Basic - For
beginning handler and beginning dog in their first year of
showing.
Sub-Novice
A - Experienced handler with beginning
dog or beginning handler with experienced dog, except dogs with Obedience
title. Handlers who have shown for one or more years.
Sub-Novice
B - Handlers or dogs who have shown at
Obedience trials or have won First
Place in Sub-Novice A at previous State
Level 4-H Dog Show.
Basic and Sub-Novice Exercises - Individual: Heeling On Lead, Figure 8 On Lead, Stand for
Examination On Lead, Recall On Lead
Basic and Sub-Novice Exercises -
Group: One Minute Sit On Lead,
Three Minute Down On Lead
Novice
A - For handlers and dogs ready to
compete in novice exercises except dog with obedience titles or handlers and
dogs who have won First Place in Novice A at a previous State Level 4-H Dog
Show.
Novice B
- Handlers showing dog with Obedience
titles. Handlers and dogs who have shown in Obedience competition at AKC
Obedience trials or have won First
Place in Novice A at a previous State
Level Dog Show.
Novice Exercises - Individual: Heeling On Lead, Figure 8 On Lead, Stand for Examination Off
Lead, Heeling Off Lead, Recall Off Lead
Novice Exercises - Group: One minute Sit Off Lead, Three minute Down
Off Lead
Open: For dogs
and handlers ready to compete at this level. Exercises: Heel
Off Lead & Figure 8, Drop on Recall, Retrieve on Flat, Retrieve Over
High Jump, Broad Jump, and Long Sit (3 minutes), & Long Down (5 minutes)
with handler out of sight.
Utility: For
dogs and handlers ready to compete at this level. Exercises:
Signal Exercise, Scent Discrimination of leather & metal articles, Directed
Retrieve, Moving Stand and Examination, and Directed Jumping.
NON REGULAR CLASSES
Graduate
Novice: For dogs and handlers who have
completed Novice work and are training for Open, but are not ready to compete
in Open. Exercises: Open Heel Free and Figure-8, Novice Moving
Stand and Examination, Moving Drop on Recall, Dumbbell Recall, Recall Over
Broad Jump, Open Long Down (3 minutes, Handler Out of Site. Note: This change
is due to the AKC revising the Grad-Novice class exercises effective
10/1/00.)
Brace: Dogs do
not have to be the same breed, but should be similar in size. Dogs may have
different owners. Class will be judged using the Graduate - Beginners exercises
as outlined in the 4-H Obedience Manual. (On-Lead: Heeling and Figure 8,
Off-Lead: Stand, Recall, Sits & Downs). Dogs must be coupled using the same
leash.
Four - Member
Team: The team consists of four
handlers with four dogs who work simultaneously. Class will be judged using
Graduate - Beginners exercises (On-Lead: Heeling and Figure 8, Off-Lead:
Stand, Recall, Sits & Downs). Handlers may respond to Judge's or Team
Captain's commands. Figure-8 is done simultaneously using 5 posts. For the
recall, handlers leave dogs in unison, call dogs one at a time, and finish in
unison.
RALLY
RALLY BASIC, NOVICE, ADVANCED:
Rally classes will be
judged at the Basic, Novice & Advanced level, by AKC rules as modified by
4-H. Scores and times for Rally will be marked on the course or score sheet. In
Rally, an enthusiastic attitude and wagging tail are more
important than precision. Dogs and handlers should both appear to be
enjoying the competition and each other's company. Handlers are allowed to
encourage their teammate (the dog) in the ring using allot of verbal praise. In
Rally any scoring ties will be broken first by the time,
secondly by the least number of one point deductions.
Basic - For
handlers and dogs in their first year of showing.
Novice-
For handlers in their second year (or greater) of competing, who have not yet won a
Rally class at a State 4-H Dog Show.
Advanced- For handlers who are ready to show off
lead, have won previous Rally
Novice classes at other State
4-H Shows, or handlers who are showing in Novice Obedience classes (or higher)
or have competed in and
placed in Rally competitions at 3 or more AKC Dog Shows (with
competition).
At this show all age
groups of Rally classes will be judged by AKC rules as modified by
4-H.
Rally, is a form of obedience class, in which the dog
and handler complete a course that has been designed by the Rally judge. The
judge tells the handler to begin and the dog and handler proceed at
their own pace through a course of designated stations (between 10 15
stations). Each of these stations has a sign that is numbered sequentially,
providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. There
will be NO more than five (5) stationary exercises per class (stationary
exercises are any signs indicating a Halt or no forward motion). Start or
finish signs will not be considered a station.
All exercises in
Advanced Rally will be performed off lead. All
exercises in Basic & Novice Rally are performed on
lead. The lead must be made of fabric or leather and need only to be long
enough to provide adequate slack. All dogs shall be shown in a flat buckle or
snap collar, plain harness, choke collar, or properly fitted martingale
(limited slip) collar. No prong collars, shock collars, no pull harnesses,
martingale leads or head collars allowed. A properly fitted martingale collar
should be larger than the circumference of the dogs neck when fully
tightened.
In Rally, an enthusiastic attitude and wagging tail are
more important than precision. Dogs and handlers should both appear to be
enjoying the competition and each other’s company. Handlers are allowed to
encourage their teammate (the dog) in the ring using allot of verbal
praise.
The Basic, Novice
& Advanced Rally course exercises will be chosen from the first 31 AKC
Rally list of exercises. To view the AKC Rally list of exercises
descriptions go to:
"http://www.akc.org/dic/events/obedience/desc_perf_112302.pdf
To view the AKC Rally
signs go to:
"http://www.akc.org/dic/events/obedience/Rally_Signs.pdf
SCORING: Scoring is not as rigorous as formal obedience. Course
times will be recorded and used only to break ties. Scoring is based on a
maximum score of 100 points, the following deductions apply:
1 point deduction
(for each of the following): lack of teamwork, tight leash, dog interfering with handler’s
forward motion, poor sits, slowness or resistance to respond, being out of
position, touching (ticking) a jump.
3 point deduction
(for each of the following): repeat of a station, (after 3 attempts at an obstacle, points will be
deducted and the exhibitor must move on to the next obstacle), pylon/post/cone
knocked over (on figure eight only) spiral and serpentine, lack of control,
loud or intimidating command or signal, excessive barking.
10 point deduction
(for each of the following): incorrectly performed station, hitting the jump.
30 point deduction
(shall be given for): incomplete
performance, minimum requirements not met, dog unmanageable, station not
attempted, consistently tight lead, substantially out of position, bar knocked
off uprights, using High Jump or Broad jump as an aid in going over, not
completing the stay for the Honor Exercise.
For more
information on Rally rules and signs (stations) check out the AKC
website:
AKC:
"http://www.akc.org/dic/events/obedience/rally.cfm
AGILITY
AGILITY: For handlers and dogs with agility training.
Acceptable collars include flat buckle or martingale style. NO TAGS OR
ATTACHMENTS ARE ALLOWED. No contact familiarization before each class.
Dog’s capable of off-lead work should not enter in on lead
classes. Dogs WITHOUT FORMAL AGILITY TRAINING or dogs unfamiliar with obstacles
SHOULD NOT BE ENTERED. Dogs entered in Agility must be
at least 1 year of age as of day of show. Please Note: in Agility a dog will
be allowed three refusals after which points will
be deducted, and exhibitors must move on to the next
obstacle.
Jump Heights
(measured from ground to dog's
whithers.)
8" Dogs measuring 11" and
under
12" Dogs measuring 14" and
under
16" Dogs measuring 18" and
under
20" Dogs measuring
over 22" and under
24” Dogs measuring over 22”
*However, in the Basic
class, dogs measuring over 22" will jump 20".
CLASSES:
Basic - ON LEAD:
For beginner handler and beginning dog in their first year of
showing. Simple course may
include any of the following: A-Frame (apex at 4'11"), Dog Walk, Pipe Tunnel,
Collapsed Tunnel, 8" Table for 8, 12, 16 for 16 and above (sit or
down position at judges discretion for 5 cumulative seconds),
approx. six hurdles. Standard Course Time: 65 seconds.
Elementary –
ON LEAD: For experienced handler with beginning dog or beginning handler with
experienced dog (2nd or more year of showing). Simple course
may include any of the following: A-Frame (apex at 4'11"), Dog Walk, Pipe
Tunnel, Collapsed Tunnel, 8" Table for 8”, 12”, 16” for 16”
and above (sit or down position at judges discretion for 5
cumulative seconds), approx. six hurdles. Standard Course Time: 65
seconds.
Novice - OFF LEAD:
Simple course may include any of the following: A-Frame (apex
at 4'11"), Dog Walk, Pipe Tunnel, Collapsed Tunnel, 8" Table for 8”,
12”, 16” for 16” and above (sit or down position
at judges discretion for 5 cumulative seconds), approx. six hurdles.
Standard Course Time: 65 seconds.
Advanced - OFF
LEAD: Course design may
be more complex, may include any of the following:
A-Frame (apex at 4'11"), Dog walk (3'0"), See-Saw, Pipe Tunnel,
Collapsed Tunnel, Short set of weave poles (5 or 6), Table (8"
for dogs jumping 8" and 12", 16" for dogs jumping 16" and above (to be
performed at a sit or down position at judges discretion for 5
consecutive seconds), Tire Jump, approx. six hurdles (at
judges discretion). The Standard Course Time shall be computed at the rate of 2
yd/sec., not to exceed 75 seconds.
The Florida and
Hillsborough 4-H Dog Shows are designed to provide an opportunity for youth
enrolled in the Florida 4-H Dog project to demonstrate their knowledge of dog
training in a competitive setting where attitudes of friendless and fairness
prevail. We hope to provide a pleasant show experience for all
exhibitors, and to encourage good sportsmanship by all.
If you have any
questions about Florida 4-H Dog
Show rules, contact:
Sally Alford at
horsepny@tampabay.rr.com or (813) 967-1931.
