YOUNG EXPLORERS DOGS




VAN BUREN COUNTY FAIR
DOG EXHIBITOR RULES


CRATES/COLLARS
All dogs to be exhibited at the fair must be kept on a leash or crated except when in the show ring.

In obedience classes a dog must have a slip collar (nylon, chain or leather) and a six-foot leather or web lead.


POSSESSION/REGISTRATION
Exhibitor must have had access to the dog since May 1. Extenuating circumstances making compliance with this rule impossible shall be presented in writing to the Fair Board prior to show date. If the exhibitor is showing an animal not their own, they must have had access to the dog for training from March of fair year.
Dogs must be a minimum of 6 months by June 15, current year.


ENTRY
Exhibitors may exhibit one dog in each class.

Exhibitors must enter in a showmanship class.
An exhibitor must achieve a qualifying score of at least one-half of total score to advance to next class in obedience.
After an exhibitor has advanced, they may not drop back to a lower class with the same dog.
An exhibitor may remain in the same class for a maximum of three years with the same dog, except Sub-Novice A exhibitors who must move up to Sub-Novice B the following year. The exceptions are if the exhibitor receives a score that is less than 170-for all classes except Sub Novice A, or if they have placed in the top two places for two consecutive years. The exhibitor is responsible for keeping their score sheets from past years for verification by the superintendent.
A dog may be shown by one exhibitor in Obedience classes.
Any exhibitor with an obedience title earned by January 1 of the current year must exhibit in the next highest class or the Titleholders Class. An exhibitor who has one or two legs in AKC obedience competition may compete in that class.
Exhibitors entered in Open Dog Class, must be enrolled in either Leader Dogs for the Blind or Paws with a Cause. They must enter showmanship class. They may not enter any other Obedience classes.


PRESENCE AT JUDGING
Exhibit dogs will be kept at the Fair one day only, Friday 1 hour prior to registration and 1 hour after show ends.


SHOWING
Judge's decisions will be final.
Scoring will be on a point system as suggested by AKC and 4-H Dog Care and Training Project.
If there is only one exhibitor in a particular class, they must make 50% of TOTAL SCORE to qualify for a trophy.



AGGRESSSION
Any dog or exhibitor showing aggression, determined by show officials, shall be removed from show area and shall not exhibit.


CHECKING IN
Exhibitors will need to check-in with the superintendent at the time listed in the Fair Book on the day of show to receive an exhibitor number and final show instructions.


DOGS IN SEASON
Female dogs in season may not participate in the show. If you expect that your dog may come into season at fair time, check with your vet, there is a shot available to prevent the season from starting. If your dog is in season, another dog may be substituted at the fair with proof of required vaccinations and verification that exhibitor has trained this animal. Exhibitor must inform Superintendent as soon as aware.


HEALTH CERTIFICATE
Exhibitors must present dog's current Rabies, DHLPP, (Bordatella-Kennel Cough is recommended) record and license or tag to youth or 4H Club Leader prior to the show date. Exhibitor MUST bring a copy of these records to the registration table at the fair.
Show committee will inspect all dogs prior to entry in the show for health and disposition.


TRAINING
All exhibitors will complete a 4-H Dog Project Member Record (4-H 1213) that documents hours spent in training time for current fair year until fair show date. This training log is to be dated and signed by parent and/or dog leader each time the exhibitor works with their dog. Exhibitors will bring a copy of this log with them to the registration table at the dog show.


ATTIRE
Exhibitors should dress appropriately for the show and appear neat and clean in the show ring. Flat shoes are required; no sandals, high heels, or boots. Long hair should be tied back. Slacks are acceptable for showmanship and encouraged for obedience and agility. For girls showmanship - shirts, culottes, dresses no shorter than fingertip length recommended. For boys, dress slacks and shirt/tie recommended, jacket/suits optional. Halter tops, low-cut blouses, spaghetti straps, shorts, hats, miniskirts, denim, and bare mid-drifts are NOT acceptable. Judges will be made aware of the dress code before judging.


CONTAINMENT
All dogs to be exhibited at the Fair must be kept on a leash or crated except when in the show ring.
Exhibit dogs will be kept at the fair one day only, 1 hour prior to registration and 1 hour after the show ends.


NOTEBOOKS
Notebooks will be judged on Saturday and must be displayed throughout fair week.



AGILITY RULES


BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR CURRENT FAIR BOOK FOR RULE CHANGES




CLASSES

COSTUME
Under 12 Years of Age
Over 12 Years of Age


OBEDIENCE CLASSES
Sub-Novice A (on Lead) inexperienced trainer/inexperienced dog (never shown before)

Novice A - Exhibitor with First Novice Dog

Graduate Novice Dogs

Service Dogs (Leader Dogs for the Blind or Paws for a Cause)

Sub-Novice B (Handler Ages 6-11)- Experienced Trainer/New Dog - or -
New Trainer/Experienced Dog - or - Experienced Trainer/Experienced Dog

Sub-Novice B (Handler Ages 12-19) - Experienced Trainer/New Dog - or -
New Trainer/Experienced Dog - or - Experienced Trainer/Experienced Dog

Novice B - Dog Shown by Experienced Novice Exhibitors

Advanced Graduate Novice Dogs

Obedience AKC Titleholders Class
Open Dogs

Utility
Brace On-Leash
Brace Off-Leash

Free-Style Obedience and Team Obedience (Exhibition Class on Wednesdays
Performing Arts Demonstration)


AGILITY CLASSES

Beginning Agility A (Handler Ages 6-11)
Beginning Agility A (Handler Ages 12-19)
Beginning Agility may not be repeated by an exhibitor.


Beginning Agility B (Handler Ages 6-11)
Beginning Agility B (Handler Ages 12-19)
Beginning Agility B may be repeated by an exhibitor for two years.

Intermediate Agility A (Handler Ages 6-11)
Intermediate Agility A (Handler Ages 12-19)
Intermediate Agility A may not be repeated by an exhibitor.


Intermediate Agility B (Handler Ages 6-11)
Intermediate Agility B (Handler Ages 12-19)
Intermediate Agility B may be repeated by an exhibitor for two years;
if no qualifying score achieved in the first two years,
the exhibitor may repeat for a third year but then must advance to Advanced class.


Advanced Agility


If exhibitor obtains a new dog, they must begin in the
Beginners class and continue as noted above.



SHOWMANSHIP
Champion Showmanship
Exhibitors ages 13-19 with three or more previous
1st or 2nd place 4-H sponsored wins in Showmanship
must compete in the Champion Showmanship class.

Senior Showmanship - Ages 15-19
Junior Showmanship - Ages 13-14
Young Showmanship - Ages 9-12
Pee Wee Showmanship - Ages 6-8





DENISE CONSFORD, DOG LEADER



DENISE MASSEY, DOG LEADER



MIKE SPRING, ASSISTANT DOG LEADER