Dog

Rules

  1. Procedures - Those procedures described in Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Rules 4H421. 4-H exhibitors are expected to read and follow the information in the State Fair 4-H Dog Exhibitor Letter which is posted on the web with the 4-H dog information. It is the dog exhibitor's responsibility to pick up after their dogs at all times. Dogs soiling in the show ring (during a class) will be lowered one ribbon placing. Dogs soiling anywhere on the show grounds without pick up will be disqualified from all entered classes on that show day regardless of the person who is holding the dog leash. 
  2. Dog Eligibility - 4-H members should provide primary care and training for the dog. The dog should reside with the 4-H member or be cared for by the 4-H member the majority of the year. 
  3. Vaccination - All dogs must be immunized for distemper, hepatitis, parvo and rabies. Bordetella vaccine is recommended but not required. The Nebraska State Fair Show Vaccination Record Form (SF 263) must document all vaccinations given within 1 to 3 years of the show date based on label guidelines. All vaccinations must be in effect at the time of the State Fair Dog Show. 
  4. Arrival Time - All 4-H exhibitors should first check-in at the registration area. They should then check in at their assigned ring(s) 30 minutes prior to judging. 
  5. Number of Entries per Exhibitor - Youth may enter one showmanship class, two agility classes (using different dogs and in different level of classes), two obedience classes (using different dogs and in different level of classes), and two rally classes (using different dogs and in different level of classes). If a youth member has two dogs reach the highest-class level in Obedience, Rally, or Agility, they may show both dogs in the highest-class level. 
  6. Advancement in Obedience and Agility Classes - Follow rules in Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Rules 4H421. 
  7. Advancement in Showmanship Classes - Classes are divided into age divisions: Junior 8-10, Intermediate 11-13, Senior 14-18. All 4-H dog exhibitors must show their own animals to be considered as participants in the Showmanship Contest. Showman will be allowed to compete in a division each year based on their age or until they win that particular age group. Winners must advance to the next age group. Winners of the Senior division will be ineligible in future dog showmanship contests. 
  8. Disqualified Dogs - Females in season will not be permitted to be shown. Overly aggressive dogs may be disqualified at the discretion of the judge or superintendent. Lame or crippled dogs will not be permitted to show if it is determined by a show superintendent that it is affecting the health of the dog. Also see: A. Procedure for information about disqualification for dog soiling on show grounds.  
  9. Age of Dog - A dog that is exhibited at the State Fair must be 6 months or older. Agility dogs must be 18 months or older to participate in competitions. 
  10. Show Schedule - The class schedule with 4-H exhibitors, time and ring assignments will be completed after entries are received and will be posted on the 4-H State Fair web page prior to the State Fair. 
  11. Dress Code - Exhibitors are required to wear the official State Fair 4-H t-shirt that is given at the Show. Solid blue jeans are required. No headgear is worn in the show ring. Exhibitors shall not display local, county, commercial or other identification while showing at State Fair. Closed toed shoes with a non-slip sole are required. 
  12. Baiting - Baiting with food or a toy is not permitted and is cause for disqualification. Handlers may use baiting action without food or toys in showmanship. The judge or superintendent has the authority to disqualify violators. 
  13. Exhibitor Responsibility - Dogs are not allowed on the floor except while in the show ring or 30 minutes prior to the class for check-in. CLEANUP shall be the EXHIBITOR'S RESPONSIBILITY. This includes all areas while on the show site. Dogs should use the designated dog run area. 
  14. At State Fair, non-entered dogs and puppies are not allowed in the grooming area, ring waiting area, public seating areas, or on the arena floor. 
  15. Only exhibitors are allowed to groom or work dogs at the show, both in and out of the rings. 
  16. Awards - Any award can be withheld if the exhibitor fails cleanup around their area. An entry must earn a purple ribbon placing to be eligible for an award. 
  17. Substitutions - A dog may be substituted for showmanship classes only if it is injured or dies following the entry deadline. Substitutions are generally not allowed in obedience and agility classes however; substitutions may be considered at the discretion of the state fair superintendents. A substitute can be selected from the exhibitor’s household family or from the household where the originally entered dog resides. Dog(s) may be substituted only if a superintendent is directly consulted prior to the show date. A Nebraska State Fair Dog Show Vaccination Form (SF 263) must be completed for all substitution dogs and received by the superintendent prior to the show date. 
  18. Registered in the Incorrect Class - If a youth member accidentally registered for the incorrect class, they have until 8:00 a.m. the morning of the show to alert dog superintendents of the error and change to the appropriate class. After 8:00 a.m., youth members that registered for a higher difficulty class will be allowed to choose if they would prefer to scratch or compete in the class they registered in (ex. Registered in Novice A but should be in Beginning Novice A). Youth members that registered for a lower difficulty class will be automatically scratched for that event (ex. Registered in Beginning Novice A but should be in Novice A). 
  19. All dogs must remain on a leash held by the exhibitor or a responsible adult at all times. Practicing patterns or other skills outside of the rings is not allowed.

State Fair Eligibility

  • Youth must be enrolled in 4-H by June 15 of the current year.
  • A 4-H member must be 8 before January 1, of the current year, or becomes 9 years of age during the current year. The last year of eligibility is the calendar year the member becomes 19.

State Fair Entry Limit

Youth may enter one showmanship class, two agility classes (using different dogs and in different level of classes), two obedience classes (using different dogs and in different level of classes), and two rally classes (using different dogs and in different level of classes). If a youth member has two dogs reach the highest-class level in Obedience, Rally, or Agility, they may show both dogs in the highest-class level.

Division: Dog Agility 

Class
  • G702010 - Level 1: 6 Obstacles 
  • G702020 - Level 2: 10 Obstacles 
  • G702030 - Level 3: 10 Obstacles 
  • G702040 - Level 4: 13 Obstacles 
  • G702050 - Level 5: 15-20 Obstacles 

Any dog and/or 4-H exhibitor that has not shown in Agility previously, should start in Level 1 and advance based on the two purple rule. The exhibitor may choose to start at a higher level but cannot go back once they have exhibited in that level.  

Rules
  1. Procedure - Agility will follow those procedures and classes described in Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines 4H421. Refer to Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines to determine class entry and obstacles for each level of competition. Course maps will be made available and posted at time of show registration in designated area(s). 
  2. Agility Jump Heights - measure dogs at withers to determine jump height: 
    • Dogs 11 inches or less - 4 inches
    • Dogs over 11 inches up to and including 14 inches - 8 inches
    • Dogs over 14 inches up to and including 18 inches - 12 inches
    • Dogs over 18 inches - 16 inches

Division: Dog Obedience 

Class
  • G701010 Beginning Novice Division A - Exhibitor and dog are in first year of competition (started Dog Project after 10/1/2024). Exhibitors incorrectly entered will be moved to Beginning Novice Division B or C. 
  • G701020 Beginning Novice Division B - Exhibitor or dog is beyond first year of competition. 
  • G701025 Beginning Novice Division C - Exhibitor and dog are beyond first year of competition. 
  • G701030 Novice A - Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Beginning Novice and are in first year of Novice Class competition (started after 10/1/2024). 
  • G701035 Novice B - Exhibitor and dog are beyond first year of Novice Class competition. 
  • G701040 Graduate Novice - Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Novice. 
  • G701045 Advanced Graduate Novice - Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Graduate Novice. 
  • G701050 Open - Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Adv. Graduate Novice. 
  • G701055 Graduate Open - Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Open. 
  • G701060 Utility - Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Graduate Open. 
Rules

Follow rules in Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines 4H421 to determine class entry and exercises within each obedience class. 

Division: Dog Rally 

Class
  • G703010 - Beginning Rally - Both dog and exhibitor are in their first year of competition. Dog is on leash and there are 5-10 stations. 
  • G702020 - Rally 1 -  Exhibitor and/or dog are beyond their first year of competition. Dog is on leash and there are 10-15 stations. 
  • G703030 - Rally 2 -  Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Rally 1. Dog is off leash and there are 12-17 stations. 
  • G703040 - Rally 3 - Exhibitor and dog have received a purple in Rally 2. Dog is off leash and there are 15-20 stations. 

Any dog and/or exhibitor that has not shown in Rally before, should start in Beginning Rally and advance based on the two purple rule. The exhibitor may choose to start at a higher level but cannot go back once they have exhibited in that level. 

Rules
  1. Rally will follow those procedures and classes described in the Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines 4H421. 
  2. Refer to Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines to determine class entry for each level of competition. 

Division: Dog Showmanship 

Class
  • G700010 - Junior Showmanship (ages 8 to 10 before January 1 of the current year) 
  • G700020 - Intermediate Showmanship (ages 11 to 13 before January 1 of the current year) 
  • G700030 - Senior Showmanship (ages 14 to 18 before January 1 of the current year) 
Rules
  1. Each class will be judged on handler's appearance (10%), grooming and conditioning of dog (20%), coordination of the dog and handler (50%), and general knowledge (20%). 
  2. Classes are divided into age divisions. 
  3. Showmanship will follow those procedures and classes described in the Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines 4H421. 

Scoresheets, Forms, and Contest Study Materials

Scoresheets, forms, contest study materials, and additional resources can be found at http://go.unl.edu/ne4hdog.

Superintendents

For questions, contact: 

4-H Fairbook | Nebraska State Fair