Dog Exhibitor Letter

Content

DATE: August 11, 2025

TO: State Fair 4-H Dog Show and Skill-a-thon Exhibitors

FROM: Brandy Schulze, 4-H Livestock Superintendent

We have received your 4-H Dog Show entries and are excited that you will be joining us at the 2025 Nebraska State Fair on Saturday, August 23rd! Here is information for the Dog Show exhibitors and Dog Skill-a-thon exhibitors. Please read the enclosed information for your areas and refer to the additional information available from the web links. If you have specific questions about the 4-H State Fair Dog Show or 4-H Skill-a-thon Contest, please contact the following people:

 

Dog Vaccination Papers:

All dog vaccination records must be mailed immediately upon entry to the State 4-H Dog Show entry and submit your vaccination papers to Dr. Lisa Karr. SF 263 Forms must be received and checked before youth can show at State Fair. Questions about vaccination forms should be directed to Dr. Lisa Karr (lisa.karr@unl.edu). A copy of the SF 263 forms will be provided to the State Veterinarians working at the Check-In Trailer for approval. This is the health paperwork (SF 263) that is required for 4-H Dogs. 

 

Map: 

Here is the official map of your 2025 Nebraska State Fair. 

 

General Schedule (Saturday, August 23rd):

  • 6:00 a.m. CST: Livestock Vet Check opens in Livestock Trailer Lot
  • 7:00 a.m. CST: Registration for all 4-H Dogs will open — Heartland Event Center
  • 8:00 a.m. CST: Dog Agility walk through begins for first classes followed by competition runs — White Barns A/B
  • 8:30 a.m. CST: Dog Rally beings — Heartland Events Center
  • 8:30 a.m. CST: Dog Skill-a-thon Contest best (must start by 10:00 a.m., must end by 2:00 p.m.) — Heartland Event Center

Upon completion of Agility and Rally Classes:

  • Estimated Time: 10:30 a.m. CST: Transition to Obedience and Showmanship classes — Heartland Event Center
  • Post Event: Tear down at Heartland — All supplies and dogs must be removed from Heartland Event Center immediately following the classes held at that facility. 

 

Livestock Check-in Trailer Hours, Exhibitor Packet and Gate Passes:

All 4-H Dog Exhibitors receive a single-day admission pass with their State Fair entry and a single day parking permit for the Livestock Trailer Lot (per vehicle). Gate passes, parking permits, and any additional items such as admission wristbands or gate passes will be found in your Exhibitor Packet. Exhibitor packets can only be picked up at the Check-In Trailer located in the Livestock Trailer Lot. Exhibitors are allowed to pick up their packet on Thursday (8/21), Friday (8/22), or Saturday (8/23). Note: Passes will not be mailed to Extension Offices. Exhibitors will want to allow plenty of time for driving, traffic flow and parking.

Hours of operation on Saturday, August 23 will be from 6:00 a.m. CST until 5:00 p.m. CST. 

Approximate location of Livestock Trailer Lot is south of the fairgrounds by the Big Red Bard on Stolley Park Road: See Nebraska State Fair Livestock Exhibitor Maps

For livestock check-in hours on Thursday (8/21) or Friday (8/22), please see the State Fair website: 2025 Livestock Trailer Schedule

 

Dog Unloading & Parking Information:

Exhibitors will use the provided single-day parking hang tag permit for Livestock Trailer Lot (formerly known as Brunks Lot). Please place on your rear-view mirror for the duration of your stay.

There are two options for unloading:

  1. Exhibitors may drive along Stolley Park Road and park their vehicles in the livestock trailer parking lot – located to the south of the Big Red Barn and walk their dogs and carry supplies to Heartland (put parking permit visible on vehicle dash). Enter through Gate # 2 from 6:00 am – 8:00 am for walk through. This option will be the best for many families.
  2. Exhibitors may use their Dog Unloading/Parking pass and come in Gate #6 to temporarily park their cars north of the Heartland Event Center for unloading purposes in the Keno parking lot. All vehicles must be unloaded and vehicles moved to the livestock trailer parking lot by 8:00 AM. When leaving Keno parking lot go to the east and then south to return to Livestock Trailer lot to avoid heavier traffic on the west side of the fairgrounds. This is for families who may have heavy or large crates.

When unloading, be sure valuable items and vehicles are not left unattended. While on the State Fairgrounds, dogs must always be on a leash or in a kennel. Dogs are not allowed in buildings, midway, or in barns. The map of approved areas will change for 2026.

Note: If you have a break between your show times and wish to look around at the fair, do not leave your dog unattended. Exhibitors may take shifts with their family members, work with other families in their counties, or other exhibitors who are crating in the same area to take turns watching dogs (exchange emergency contact info). Agility will flow directly from one level to the next.

End of Show: At the end of the show, dogs must be removed from the show and crating area for the next events in Heartland. 

 

Registration:

All dog show exhibitors will check-in at the registration table found in the Heartland Event Center (including Agility exhibitors). Exhibitors will enter the Heartland Event Center through the north or south doors on the east side of the building. They should then check in at their assigned ring(s) 30 minutes prior to judging. 

New: 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).

 

Dress Code:

Exhibitors are required to wear the official 2025 State Fair 4-H T-shirt. If you are only exhibiting in the dog show, exhibitors will pick up their shirt at the registration table in the Heartland Event Center. If you are a youth exhibitor participating in other animal shows, please pick up your shirt in the Livestock Office. Solid blue jeans are required. No hats, caps or other types of headgear are to be worn. Exhibitors shall not display any local, county or club identification. Closed toed shoes with a non-slip sole are required. No flip-flops or sandals are allowed. Exhibitors should always look neat, clean and well-groomed. Any distractions, such as loose hair, distracting jewelry, clothing other than that directed by the dress code or show superintendent, and caps or hats will result in deduction of points by the judge.

 

Crating:

In the upper bowl of the Heartland Event Center, exhibitors can crate their dogs in the north and south open spaces. Exhibitors may also keep their dogs with them in the seating spaces some distance from the show ring competitions. 

 

Dog Exercise/Potty Areas:

It is the dog exhibitors’ 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 with no pickup will be disqualified from all entered classes on that show day regardless of the person who is holding the dog leash. Use a plastic bag to clean up after your dog in the exercise area and put the bag in the trash can.

Be sure to take your dog to the exercise area often to minimize accidents. Frequent checks will allow exhibitors and their dogs the opportunity to perform to their best ability. Clean up after your dogs on the whole fairgrounds. There will be a potty area location near Heartland and near white horse Barns A and B. 

 

State Fair App:

Download the 4-H at the Nebraska State Fair App for easy access to the schedule of 4-H events, 4-H live animal show programs and contest schedules, results, and so much more! All live animal programs will be posted on the app and posted near the show arena. Link to app: Download the NE State Fair App (scroll to bottom of the page).

 

4-H Dog Skill-a-thon:

Dog Skill-a-thon will be in the Heartland Event Center in the upstairs concourse behind the curtained area. Participants will be responsible for selecting their own start time to begin the Skill-a-thon exam; individual testing times will not be assigned. There will be a timeslot sign up at the check-in-table the day of the contest. Dog Skill-a-thon will be offered from 8:00 am and run through 2:00 pm (all participants must be started by 10:00 am). Please allow at least 30 minutes to complete the exam. If overlapping schedules is a concern, participants should complete the exam prior to showmanship beginning. Exhibitors must be done by 2:00 pm.

The contest will consist of a series of stations that are designed to test your knowledge of dogs. The focused breed for 2025 is Hound. 

 

General Show Guidelines and Resources:

The show guidelines are described in the online Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Manual.  Exhibitors are expected to read and follow the information in the State Fair 4-H Dog Exhibitor Letter and Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Manual. Various dog show resources can be found on the 4-H Dog Exhibitor Resources page.

 

General Obedience Information:

Long Sits & Downs

Obedience Exhibitors will have Long Sits & Downs right after Rally. Please note that for Obedience: The Long Sits & Downs - estimated time to start is 11:00 a.m. (subject to change) for all, followed by each exhibitor’s individual work out (for example: long sit, long down, heel pattern, figure 8, stand for exam, recall, etc.) We plan to have 5 rings for obedience, showmanship, and rally. Please line up at the appropriate show ring and check in with the ring steward/clerk at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time.

General Agility Information

Agility will be held between the white horse barns A and B (east of the Big Red Barn). There will be two soil surfaced rings (east and west) for agility. The levels will be split up and noted on the class schedule after entries are submitted. 

Agility Jump Heights

  • Dogs 11 inches or less — jump 4 inches
  • Dogs over 11 inches up to and including 14 inches — jump 8 inches
  • Dogs over 14 inches up to and including 18 inches — jump 12 inches
  • Dogs over 18 inches — jump 16 inches

Agility Notes

  • Registration: Once checked in, agility exhibitors should make their way to the agility rings Use of leash in levels 1 & 2 - It is important to maintain a loose leash and to keep tug and release motions to a minimum but not to drag your dog from one obstacle to the next. Use of leash in levels 3, 4, & 5 – It is expected that dogs will be off leash for these levels.
  • Voice commands and encouragement: In Agility, it is ok to use your voice to encourage dog with praise or to go to the next obstacle — no penalties for encouragement. Exhibitors should feel free to use the commands that you may have been using in Agility practice such as: jump or over, here, tunnel, wait, out, stay, sit, down, walk it, etc.
  • Faults: Exhibitors could lose points for refusal, wrong course, rough handling, tight leashes, or a forced push on the rear end of dog into a sit or down.
  • Safety: Be sure to keep safety as your first concern when taking your dog through the obstacles. Having a dog enter straight on the dog walk (making contact with the contact area) will help ensure that the dog is straight and shouldn’t fall off of the walk boards. Be sure to use the practice jump and warm up your dog to prepare them for their run. You can also help stretch your dog’s legs to help prepare them for their run. At the end of your run be sure to praise your dog for a job well done!
  • Course layout: The number and variety of obstacles that will be used for each level are the same as those listed in the Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Manual, but the order will likely be different except Level 1 which is a set pattern (clockwise or counter clockwise). The judges will set the course layout for the State Fair show and will be posted at the time of check-in.
  • Help Out When You Can: It will be appreciated that everyone chip in and help with ring set ups, bar changes, or any other times that equipment needs changed or moved. Your help is greatly appreciated and will help ensure we are able to do a great job and have the show run smoothly and on time. Help is also appreciated to load equipment following the show.

Agility Briefing:

The judge will go over a few notes prior to the start of competition. The judge will share information such as:

  • Be sure to give a nature break for your dog
  • Clean up any accidents – in or outside of show ring
  • Dog must touch the contact area of an obstacle, or a fault and deduction of points will be assessed
  • Pause box or table – judge will designate sit or down – rough handling is a fault and will result in a deduction of points. Do not push your dog into position.
  • Pause box or table – judge countdown – 5 and – 4 and – 3 and – 2 and – 1 and – go. Handler wait 1 more second before going to the next obstacle - (it is recommended that the exhibitor then waits an extra second so the dog does not learn to ‘go’ when the judge says ‘go’)
  • If the dog breaks and moves too soon then the count starts over.
  • Type of collar - flat buckle collar – no chain or training collars
  • Baiting is not permitted in any show ring
  • Watch for tight leashes and excessive tight leashes with a deduction of points.
  • Encourage your dog and give them verbal praise and instructions. Have fun!

 

Travel Tips & Things to Bring:

Check the web sites listed above for information such as:

  • Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Exhibitor Letter 
  • Copy of your vaccination records or SF 263 (to use if needed while traveling)
  • Maps
  • Dog Skill-a-thon Information
  • Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Schedule
  • Small disposable bags to pick up after your dog
  • Have your name and phone numbers on your dog’s tag or written in permanent marker on a travel collar
  • Water for your dog brought from home and a supply of regular dog food (to help prevent upset stomach or refusal of new water source). Dogs may want to eat a small sized breakfast and then wait to eat again after they are finished with the show to prevent bloat and minimize accidents.
  • Dog supplies – crate or mats/rugs, grooming supplies, bowls, chain training collar, flat/buckle collar, showmanship lead, leashes, etc.

Questions? 

If you have any State Fair 4-H Dog Show questions, feel free to contact Caitlyn Jacobson, Extension Educator, caitlyn.jacobson@unl.edu or Nathan Rice, Extension Educator, nrice3@unl.edu. For the 4-H Dog Skill-a-thon Contest or vaccination papers, please contact Dr. Lisa Karr at lisa.karr@unl.edu. For general State Fair questions, please contact Brandy Schulze at bschulze@unl.edu.