Grooming and Handling Classes (Showmanship) - 4-Hers are responsible for knowledge of material in the Grooming and Handling project book as well as the Dog Care project book. The 4-Her is evaluated on: knowledge regarding dog's health, parts of the dog, etc.; handler's appearance and attitude, and grooming and handling of the dog.
Showmen of Showmen will be selected from the top 2 eligible Winners of the Sr. A & B showmanship classes. If no Sr.'s are eligible then showmen of showmen will be selected from the top two eligible Jr.'s.

Junior Grooming and Handling A: Neither handler nor dog have previous experience. Handlers are 13 years and younger as of January 1.
Junior Grooming and Handling B: Handler or dog have previous experience. Handlers are 13 years and younger as of January 1.
Senior Grooming and Handling A: Neither handler nor dog have previous experience (cannot have shown in Jr. class). Handlers are 14 years and older as of January 1.
Senior Grooming and Handling B: Handler or dog have previous experience. Handlers are 14 years and older as of Jan. 1.

Dog Care - 4-Her is interviewed on knowledge regarding dog's health and grooming, parts of the dog, general knowledge of dogs. Other areas judged are 4-Her's record form, appearance and attitude, dog's appearance and manners, and creative achievement of 4-Her and dog. This project does not compete at the State Fair.

Dog Care Jr. Beginners: 4-Her is 13 years or under as of Jan. 1. A 4-Her may compete in this project for 2 years then must move to Dog Care Jr. Advanced until 14 years of age.
Dog Care Jr. Advanced: 4-Her is 13 years or under as of Jan. 1st, with two years completed in Jr. Beginning.
Dog Care Sr. Beginning: 4-Her is 14 years or older as of Jan 1st, with no Dog Care Jr. advanced experience. They may compete in this project for 2 years.
Dog Care Sr. Advanced: 4-Her is 14 years or older as of Jan 1st, with 2 years experience in Dog Care Sr. Beginning, or previous Dog Care Jr. Advanced experience.

Service Dog Project (a State Fair Project) - The 4-Her trains and cares for a puppy owned by Pilot Dogs of Columbus (or Canine Companions for Independence, or other service dog organization). Ownership of the puppy is retained by the service dog organization, and the dog is returned to Pilot Dogs, CCI, etc. at approximately one year of age to be trained as a seeing eye or other service dog. The 4-Her must have had prior obedience experience and must apply and be approved to take this project. Those participating will show in a separate class.

Canine Rescue Project - The 4-Her trains and cares for an adult dog from an animal shelter for the duration of the 4-H year. After the fair the dog is placed with an adoptive family. The 4-Her must take the dog in an obedience project. The dog can also be taken in Dog Care and Grooming & Handling if the 4-Her chooses. The 4-Her must have had prior obedience experience and must apply and be approved to take this project.

Sub Novice Level - All exercises to be performed on leash. 4-H'ers will be expected to demonstrate abilities of the dog to: heel on lead, figure 8, stand for examination, recall, long sit (1 min.), and long down (3 min.)
A Division: Neither 4-H'er or dog have had beginning or sub novice obedience experience prior to the current 4-H year ( March 15 to end of Fair Competition). EXPERIENCE from here forward refers to showing.
B Division: 4-H'er or dog have had beginning or sub novice obedience experience prior to the current 4-H year. The dog has not had experience in novice level.With an experienced dog, a 4-H'er can go back to a lower class, but show exhibition only at fair until they are ready to move to the class the dog should be shown in.

Novice Level - 4-H'ers will demonstrate the ability of the dog to heel on lead, figure 8, *stand for exam, *heel free, *recall, *long sit (1min.), and *long down (3min.)*exercises performed off lead
A Division: Neither 4-H'er or dog have had novice obedience experience prior to the current 4-H year.
B Division: 4-H'er or dog has had novice obedience experience prior to the current 4-H year. The dog has not had experience at the graduate novice A level.

Graduate Novice A Level - Exercises to be performed are: heel on lead, *heel free and figure 8, *stand for exam, *drop on recall, *long sit (3min), and *lone down (5min.). The long sit and long down will be performed with the handler out of sight.*exercises performed off lead
A Division: Dog has had previous novice experience, but does not have experience at the graduate novice B level.

Graduate Novice B Level - Exercises to be performed are: heel on lead, *heel free and figure 8, *drop on recall, *retrieve on flat, *long sit (3min.), and *long down (5min.). The long sit and long down will be performed with the handler out of sight.*exercises performed off lead
B Division: Dog has had previous graduate novice A experience, but has not had experience at the open level.

Open Level - All exercises will be performed off lead and will include: heel free and figure 8, drop on recall, retrieve on flat, retrieve over high jump, broad jump, long sit (3min.), and long down (5min.). The long sit and long down will be performed with the handler out of sight.
A Division: Neither 4-H'er or dog have had open obedience experience prior to the current 4-H year.
B Division: 4-H'er or dog have had open obedience experience prior to the current 4-H year, but have not had experience at the graduate open or utility level.

Graduate Open A & B- All exercises will be performed off-leash. Exercises to be performed include: signal exercise, drop on recall, directed retrieve, moving stand and examination, retrieve on flat, retrieve over high jump, and broad jump.
A Division: Neither 4-H'er or dog have had graduate open obedience experience prior to the current 4-H year.
B Division: 4-H'er or dog have had graduate open obedience experience prior to the current 4-H year, but have not had experience at the utility level.

Utility Level - This is a demonstration class only. It is not a State Fair Class. Exercises include: signal exercises, scent discrimination with leather and metal, directed retrieve, directed jumping, and group exam.

1. Obedience Levels are as follows: SUB NOVICE, NOVICE, GRADUATE NOVICE A, GRADUATE NOVICE B, OPEN, and GRADUATE OPEN
A & B Divisions in Sub Novice, Novice, and Open are considered the same level. Graduate Novice A and Graduate Novice B are considered separate levels because the exercises are different. A qualifying score is 170 or more points out of a possible 200 points awarded for actual exercises. Points awarded for grooming, appearance, etc. are not counted toward the qualifying score.

2. All A Division Competitors must move to the B division the following year regardless of score. If a dog wins with a qualifying score in a B division class it must move to the next level the following year. For example, the winner of a sub novice B class must compete in Novice (A or B as appropriate) the next year, even if it was the dog's first year in sub novice B.

3. If a dog receives a qualifying score at the Clark County Fair in a level at which it has competed for more than one year, it must move to the next level the following year.

4. If a dog wins its class without a qualifying score, the 4-Her may choose not to go to the State Fair, and remain at that level the following year.

5. All State Fair Delegates must advance to the next Division or Level (as appropriate) the following year.

6. 4-H members showing their dogs at any Licensed or Member Obedience Trial or at a Sanctioned match must show their dogs during the 4-H year at the same or higher level than they are showing in AKC, UKC, etc. shows. Fun matches do not apply. Dogs who have completed their Companion Dog (CD) title or (or UKC, etc. equivalent), must show in Graduate Novice classes. Dogs who have completed their Companion Dog Excellent (C.D.X.) title (or UKC, etc. equivalent), must show in Open B classes.

7. If a 4-Her in an A Division class cannot compete at the Clark Co. Fair due to circumstances beyond their control (such as a female in heat, illness, etc.) they may compete in the same A Division class the next year, provided the 4-Her did not have other show experience before or in the current 4-H year. If a 4-Her in a B Division class cannot compete at the Clark Co. Fair due to circumstances beyond their control (such as a female in heat, illness, etc.) they may compete in the same B Division class the next year provided they have not shown in a higher class before or during the current 4-H year.

8. If a dog has had obedience experience more than one year prior to the 4-H year, the advisor must place the 4-Her in the appropriate class according to the observed level at which the dog is currently working. Any dispute over this level will be decided by an evaluation of the Executive Committee of the Clark County Dog Committee.

1. To exhibit at the Clark Co. Fair, members must have possession of their dog by the 4-H enrollment deadline. In order to be eligible as a State Fair delegate, the dog must be owned by the member or the member's family and be in the member's continual care. (State Rule No. 1)

2. In order to participate in any 4-H Dog Activity, you must show proof of the dog's immunizations against parvovirus, leptospirosis, distemper, hepatitis(Adenoviris), parainfluenza, coronavirus (only required for dogs under one year old), bordetella and rabies by a liscensed accredited veterinarian, and must show current license, ODA Certificate, or Certificate of Vaccination For The 4-H Dog Show Project. (State Rule No. 20)

2b. Vaccinations must be given between August 14, 1996 and 1997 4-H Interview Judging, by a licensed, accredited veterinarian. Coronavirus vaccinations must be given to dogs that are under one year of age by their State Fair Show date of either August 11, 12, or 13.

3. By June 1st the 4-Her must turn into Advisor, the Clark Co. 4-H Dog Show registration form, stating which classes he/she is going to compete in at the Clark County Fair, provided he/she is enrolled in that project. At the Clark County Fair Dog Show, the 4-H'er may only compete in classes signed up for by the above date.

4. All dogs must be approachable by show officials. The owner of the dog accepts full responsibility for the dog's actions and will not hold the 4-H Dog Committee, Sr. Fair Board, or the Clark Co. Agricultural Soc. liable. Judges decision is final. (State Rules No. 13 & 14)

5. There will be no training or showing of the 4-H project by any person other than the 4-H member after 4-H enrollment deadline of March 15th until the dog is finished 4-H competition for that year, at the Clark Co. or State Fair. (State Rule No. 3)

6. Dogs that have been shown at any Licensed or Member Obedience Trial or at a Sanctioned match must show their dogs during the 4-H project year at the same or higher level than they are showing in AKC, UKC, etc. shows. Fun matches do not apply. Dogs who have completed their Companion Dog (C.D.) title (or UKC, etc. equivalent) prior to enrollment deadline, must show in Graduate Novice classes. Dogs who have completed their Companion Dog Excellent (C.D.X.), title (or UKC, etc. equivalent) prior to enrollment deadline, must show in Open B classes. (State Rule No. 25)7

7. Each exhibitor will keep their dog under control and on leash while on the fairgrounds except when participation in the ring and judging. 4-H dogs are permitted in the 4-H dog show and crating area only. The dog may not be left unattended. The child may leave the area if the dog is left in the care of a parent, or other responsible adult. The dog may only leave the area if in another 4-H activity. (State Rule No. 22)

8. Females in season will not be permitted on the fairgrounds. Any bitch which appears so attractive to males as to be a disturbing element will be eliminated from the show and sent home. (State Rule No. 23)

9. The show will be judged according to the 4-H Dog Obedience, Grooming and Handling, and Dog Care score sheets found in the back of the project book, or as updated by the State 4-H Dog Committee.

10. Using bait in Grooming & Handling classes is up to the discretion of the judge. Exhibitors should check with the steward about the use of bait before entering the ring.

11. At the State Fair a 4-Her may show in one class only. To be eligible to represent Clark County at the State Fair the member must have won his/her class and/or been next in line. If a 4-Her qualifies in more than one class at the county fair, he/she must decide on one class and notify the 4-H dog committee, as to which class he/she will compete. A State Fair competitor who fails to notify the Dog Committee, and advisor, or the Extension Office in advance that they can not go to State Fair will not be eligible to go to State next year. EXCEPTION: 4-H members showing a Dog Guide for the Blind at the State Fair may also show one entry in any of the classes J-1 through J-12. (State Rule No. 19)

12. 4-Hers must use approved equipment for obedience, it must be a well-fitting plain buckle collar, nylon or chain choke. No prong collars or halters. Showmanship must use approved show lead. (State Rule No. 24)

13. If is verified that any rules (including Code of Conduct) are broken, this could result in the 4-H member not being eligible for county awards or being ineligible to show at the Clark County Fair.

14. If any questions or problems arise that are not covered in our Clark County Rules then we will go by the current State Fair Rules, if not covered in the current State Fair Rules then we will go by AKC rules.

15. A 4-H member can show only one dog per Obedience class.

16. A dog may be shown at the Clark Co. Fair by more than one family member as long as they're in separate projects. Example: Obedience is one project, Showmanship is one project, Dog Care is one project, etc... A Dog that is shown by more than one 4-H'er is not eligible to show at the State Fair. (State Rule No. 4)1

17. Participation in the 4-H Dog Check-In is required unless the 4-H'er can show the Dog's C.G.C. (Canine Good Citizenship) Certificate, or a copy of the certificate to their 4-H Advisor prior to the Clinic. A copy of the C.G.C. must be turned into the 4-H Extension Office prior the Clinic date to be kept on file.

18. State Fair eligibility, governed by State Fair rules.

19. The parent/guardian, and 4-H member must sign the exhibition rules, showing that they have read and agree to abide by these guidelines.

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