Utah 4-H Dogs Program Guide Updated April 2019 Produced by the 2018 Utah 4-H Dog Program Committee: Jessie Hadfield, Lanette Sorensen, Jill Romo, Beth Crandall, Callie Ward, and Laura Holmgren Special Acknowledgments: Colorado State 4-H, Indiana State 4-H, Texas State 4-H, and Oregon State 4-H Dear 4-H Volunteer and Member: Thank you for participating in the Utah 4-H Dog Program. If you see needed corrections or errors in this guide, or would like to propose changes or additions, please contact Jessie Hadfield at 435-797-8442 or [email protected]. All rule proposals must be submitted by September 1st to be considered for the following year. 2 Table of Contents Section 1: General Utah 4-H Dog Programming and Rules General Rules……………………………………………………………………………………………… Attire………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Guidelines…………………………………………………………………………………………………. Appropriate equipment…………………………………………………………………………………… Section 2: Rank Advancement and Exhibitor Divisions Ranks…………………………………………………………………………………………………......… Exhibitor Divisions…………………………………………………………………………………….…... Section 3: Permanent Classes Test……………………………………………………………………………………………………….... Showmanship……………………………………………………………………………………………… Obedience…………………………………………………………………………………………………. Rally-O……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Section 4: Optional Non-qualifying contests Agility………………………………………………………………………………………………...……… Trick………………………………………………………………………………………………….……… Costume………………………………………………………………………………………………….… Section 5: Dog Club Guidelines and Recommendations Club Guidelines…………………………………………………………………………………………… Getting Started…………………………………………………………………………………………… Parent Expectations……………………………………………………………………………………… Club Leaders……………………………………………………………………………………………… Club Meetings……………………………………………………………………………………………… Home Training Examples………………………………………………………………………………… Club Equipment…………………………………………………………………………………………… Participant Equipment…………………………………………………………………………………… Section 6: Additional Information and Resources Traveling with dogs……………………………………………………………………………………… References for test……………………………………………………………………………………… A Letter to the Judge…………………………………………………………………………………… Scorecards……………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 Section 1: General Utah Dog 4-H Programming and Rules The Utah Dog 4-H Program is one of our newest and fastest growing animal science projects within 4-H. This program is designed to emphasize youth development. The 4-H dog project is a vehicle that reflects the knowledge and skills being developed by the participant. Classes that emphasize a dog’s conformation are not included in our 4-H program and thus purebred dogs do not have any preference over a cross-breed or mixed dog. Local shows may hold conformation or breed standard classes, but they will not be held at the state level. This program is designed to allow handlers and their dogs of all shapes and sizes to be successful! 4-H is open to all youth. To be eligible for enrollment in Utah’s 4-H Dog Program, youth must be in the 3rd grade and no younger than 8-years-old as of October 1st of the previous year. 4-H involvement as a member will end the summer following high school graduation (September 31st), or no older than 19-years of age, whichever comes first. Class organization for handler and dogs are discussed on page 14, Section 2 Rank Advancement and Exhibitor Divisions. Age groupings for competition are grouped by grade as of October 1st of the previous year as follows: Junior: 3-5 Intermediate: 6-8 Senior: 9 – 12 4-H does not discriminate as to race, color, national origin, disability, religion, or sex of members. 4-H OBJECTIVES Encourage youth to: 1. Develop leadership abilities, build character, and assume citizenship responsibilities. 2. Explore career opportunities. 3. Develop skills, knowledge, and attitudes for lifelong use. 4. Share knowledge gained with others. 5. Acquire skills in dog management by owning a dog of any type (i.e. purebred, crossbred, registered, etc.) and being responsible for them. 6. Appreciate having dogs as a companion. 7. Learn appropriate dog handling skills and promote the love and humane treatment of animals. 8. Understand breeding, training, and raising of dogs responsibly. 9. Acquire safety skills to prevent injury to persons and animals. 10. Develop sportsmanship, cooperation, decision-making ability, and public speaking skills through participation in demonstrations, tours, judging, and/or exhibits. 4 USE OF NAME AND EMBLEM OF 4-H CLUB WORK The federal law states that only activities or programs under supervision of the Cooperative Extension Service may use the name and emblem of 4-H club work. Therefore, any local, county, district, area of state 4-H dog contest must have the approval of the Utah State Cooperative Extension Service through county, district, or state personnel. Contests or events sponsored by other organization or individuals, and contests which do not provide separate classes for 4-H members, are not permitted to use the name and emblem of 4-H club work. In such cases, the title, “Junior Dog Contest,” or similar name should be used. GENERAL RULES All rules and guidelines related to the Utah 4-H Dog Program not specifically covered in this document will defer to the most current “Rules & Regulations” books of the American Kennel Club (AKC). All handbooks are available online at www.akc.org. Rules specifically outlined in the Utah 4-H Dog Program Guide will supersede any conflicting rules or guidelines. ALL STATE AND REGIONAL 4-H DOG CONTESTS WILL ABIDE BY THESE RULES: Club and county contests are encouraged to follow these rules for competition. Contest committees and leaders should make every effort to inform all members, leaders, parents, and judges of rules to be used, especially if they vary from state rules. 1. Only dogs that are registered as a project will be permitted on the show grounds at any time. Registered 2. Dogs must be on a leash, tethered, or in a crate while on the show grounds, except when showing. Dogs must not be left unattended, and if possible, youth exhibitors should be the sole handler of their project dog. 3. Exhibitors must clean up after their dogs and keep their area clean. Exhibitors must bring their own doggie-bags (pet waste bags), water-bowls, and other necessary equipment. 4. At all 4-H contests each 4-H member must provide the dog he/she uses. The dog may be leased or borrowed, providing the member has access to the dog at all times during the project year and has major responsibility for its care and maintenance. This does not necessarily include financial support. 5. Dogs will need to have a certificate of vaccinations by a licensed veterinarian in order to register or be on the show grounds. 6. At all State 4-H Contests, the limit is one dog per person and one person per dog, per division. For example, a 4-H member may have both a standard dog and a puppy. o Exhibitors must appoint one dog at the time of show registration to be their “primary dog”. The primary dog is the one that will be used for showmanship and eligible for Over-All Exhibitor awards. o Situations requiring a substitution of the project dog or alternate dog and handler, should be cleared through the County Dog Council with Extension Agent input. Grievances regarding state 4-H Dog Show eligibility and may be referred to the State 4-H Dog Program Council for final say. o Each County needs to have rules and guidelines in place to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings regarding qualifications and substitutions that may be required. 5 7. The 4-H member’s project is centered around learning good husbandry, knowledge, and skills necessary to be successful in and out of the show ring. As a component of the primary objective of the 4-H Dog Program, youth should do their own training. If a dog needs to be taken to a professional trainer for special purposes, the youth should be trained with the dog. 8. In any class the judge may direct any exhibitor to repeat or perform additional maneuvers. 9. All 4-H exhibitors must take the written test and show in Showmanship to be eligible to compete in the other events of the show. Anyone requiring special assistance with the written test must request assistance prior to the start of the test from their club leader. Special provisions will be made with the show committee to accommodate the youth in the best way possible for both parties. 10. Anyone missing their gate call in any event (judged or timed) without pre-approval from the show committee or management, will show at the end of the class and may be penalized 1 ribbon placing from the placing awarded at the discretion of the show committee. 11. Parents or adult leaders may not assist 4-H members inside the show ring. This includes any competition ring, costume contest, drill, obedience, etc., Assistance is considered physically going into the ring, verbal and non-verbal coaching, or instruction from outside the ring, verbal or hand signals to a dog and anything else that may be perceived to be double handling or coaching the 4-H member or dog during competition. Verbal warning will be given once, and then show management will address each issue case by case. Youth with any physical/mental disabilities that require assistance from others will need to notify the show officials at entry time so appropriate arrangements can be made. Attire 1. A 4-H patch - must be worn on the upper left sleeve. Patches must be visible during the event. No patch or patch not visible is a drop in 1 ribbon placing for judged events and a 5 second penalty in timed