Illinois 4-H

Illinois State 4-H Dog Show INFORMATION FOR EXHIBITORS & STAFF 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2024 

Granny Rose K-9 Enrichment Center 613 River Lane - Dixon, IL 61021 

Schedule 

Thursday, August 1, 2024 

Entries due to local office, along with entry fee of $5 per 4-H’er. Local offices will register youth online by the August 2 deadline. Counties will remit a transfer of funds to the State 4-H Office by Date of Event August 24, 2024. 

Saturday, August 24, 2024 

7 AM Show site will open. 

8- 9 AM Check in for obedience classes. 

9 AM General briefing followed by judge’s briefing at your ring 

12:30 PM Check in for Showmanship and Rally Obedience classes. 

1 PM Second general briefing followed by judge’s briefing at your ring (as rings become available for classes) 

NOTE: Ring assignments for classes will be posted or announced before classes begin. 

*Judging will not begin until adequate volunteer support is secured for each ring as needed. 

Donna Nuger (dnuger@illinois.edu) Superintendent 

Dan Jennings Superintendent 

2024 General Site Information 

• Building is fully air-conditioned with artificial turf. 
• No un-entered dogs will be allowed on the grounds. 
• No dogs will be allowed in the building overnight. 
• No slip chain “training” or pinch/prong collars will be allowed. 
• No Flexy or Retractable leashes allowed. 

• Dogs must be always under the control of the exhibitor, either in a crate or on a leash (max. 6 foot long). Crating is highly recommended. CRATE SPACE is provided in designated areas. Absolutely no crating allowed on the turf. 

• Bring your own chair, water bowl, and other comfort items. Crating space and spectator seating will be limited so please be courteous and only take up the space you need. 

• Waste management: Anyone not cleaning up after their dog will be excused from the show. Cleaning supplies and disposal containers are available at various locations around the showgrounds. 
• If your dog has a cough, do not attend. Coughing dogs will be sent home. 

VETERINARIAN (on call): River Ridge Animal Hospital 

273 IL Rt 2, Dixon, IL 61021 815-288-3394 

Exhibitors should follow their veterinarian’s recommendations to assure their dogs are free of internal & external parasites and communicable diseases and are appropriately vaccinated. 

 Emergency Services 

Fire/Ambulance/Police – Lee County 911 / KSB Hospital, 403 E 1st St, Dixon, IL 651021 815-288-5531 

Directions to the Show Site 

Exit Interstate 88 at exit 54 (Il 26 N/S Galena Ave). Continue north over the river. Turn left at the McDonalds onto W Everett St. Travel approx. 2 miles. Turn Right onto River Lane (Razor Golf Carts). Turn right onto Kilgore rd. Follow Kilgore to Granny Rose K-9 Enrichment Center. 

ACCOMMODATIONS NEAR THE SHOW SITE 

(County zoning regulations prohibit overnight stays on club property.) Check bringfido.com for pet friendly accommodations. 

State 4-H Dog Show General Rules, Entry Procedures, and Fees 

1. The State 4-H Dog show is open to any 4-H member who has received a qualifying score (as noted below) at their local 4-H exhibition. 

2. OBEDIENCE: 4-Hers aged 8-18 years who have obtained a qualifying score of 170 or above with their dog at a County 4-H Show, County 4-H Obedience Class Graduation Trial, or an AKC Obedience Trial. 

3. SHOWMANSHIP: 4-Hers aged 8-18 years who have been chosen as their county’s Junior or Senior Showmanship representative may enter the Illinois State 4-H Dog Show showmanship portion. As stated in the rules, a county may also select alternate teams if the winning team cannot attend. Each county may only be represented by one Junior dog-handler team and one Senior dog-handler team. 

4. RALLY OBEDIENCE: 4-H’ers aged 8-18 years who have obtained a qualifying score of 70 or above with their dog at a County 4-H Show, County 4-H Obedience Class Graduation Trial, or an AKC Rally Trial. 

5. Exhibitors must have been at least 8 years old and not yet 19 as of September 1, 2022. 
6. Exhibitors shall be limited to one entry/dog in each obedience class. The same dog can be entered once in each show discipline; Obedience, Showmanship, and/or Rally Obedience if the dog has qualified at the county level. A 4-Her may show multiple dogs. 
7. After you have qualified, see your County Extension Office for assistance in registering for the contest. The County Extension office will register you for the state contest through its online system. Registration deadline is August 1. You will need to show your scoresheet noting your qualifying score, as well as a copy of your up-to-date rabies certification to the county office. You must bring BOTH your scoresheet and rabies vaccination certification with you to the state contest as well. You will also need to pay the $5 participant fee (payable to University of Illinois) to your local Extension office by the August 1 deadline. 
8. Special problems not covered by these rules will be acted upon by the superintendents and members of the State 4-H Dog Advisory Committee in accordance with the Illinois 4-H Policies including the Youth Code of Conduct and Member Behavior Guidelines. 
9. All exhibitors must have completed the Quality Assurance and Ethics Certification and are expected to be familiar with and abide by both the principles of that certification and the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act. 
10. Proof of rabies vaccination must be shown at check in. 
11. A dog being shown in the dog obedience project must be trained by and belong to the exhibitor or to a member of his/her immediate family. Or the dog can be leased for the length of the project and a signed agreement should be on file with the local 4-H extension office by June 1, 2023. 
12. All dogs must be leashed or crated while on the grounds. Dogs must always be under the exhibitor’s supervision. 
13. A dog that is not under the control of the exhibitor, or shows viciousness toward its handler, judge, or other dogs will be excused from further competition. 
14. All participants must use appropriate show equipment. Acceptable leashes are a maximum of 6 ft. (can be shorter in advanced classes) of leather, nylon, or canvas. No prong or electronic collars will be allowed on the grounds. No identification tags on collars used in the show ring. Harnesses or other training aids such as a gentle leader are not acceptable show equipment. 
15. Female dogs in season cannot participate in the State Show. 
16. It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to be at ringside when their class is called. Judges are not required to hold classes for late entries. 
17. Judges’ decisions are final. 

 Tentative DATE FOR 2025: The State 4-H Dog Show is tentatively scheduled for August 23, 2025 in Dixon, Illinois. Starting times and show schedule are subject to change. 

 The Illinois State 4-H Dog Show uses the American Kennel Club regulations as a guideline. 

For complete AKC Rules and Regulations, please use the AKC website. Rulebook is available free to all as a PDF on their website. 

American Kennel Club 

8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 100 

Raleigh, NC 27617-3390 

Tel: (919) 233-9767 

E-mail: orderdesk@akc.org Website: http://www.akc.org 

OBEDIENCE 

1. To be eligible a dog and handler team must have a qualifying score of 170 or above for all classes. 
2. Dogs do not have to be AKC registered to show in the 4-H obedience show. AKC rules will be used as a guideline for judging. If a dog has 3 qualifying scores at either 1) county show, 2) state 4-H dog show, 3) AKC sanctioned match, 4) AKC trial, in beginner novice or novice, three months prior to the State 4-H Dog Show, it must be shown in the next higher class.  
3. Beginner Novice I is for new handlers and inexperienced dogs only. It is recommended that dogs have the Canine Good Citizen award before showing in Beginner Novice in 2024. It will be required for 2025. 
4. Beginner Novice II is for experienced handlers with inexperienced dogs or experienced dogs with inexperienced handlers. It is recommended that one qualifying score be achieved before advancing to the next class level. 
5. Preferred Novice is for dogs who have qualified at least once in beginner Novice II the sit or down stay walk around the ring will be utilized. 
6. Novice I is for dogs who have qualified in Preferred Novice at least once, or upon recommendation of the local trainer. 
7. Novice II is for dogs who have qualified in Novice at least once, or upon recommendation of the local trainer.  
8. A run-off will be held in case of a tie for total score. 
9. All beginning level classes will use on-leash heeling exercises. (Beginner Novice I and II, Preferred Novice, Novice, and Graduate Novice) 
10. All advanced classes will use novice off lead heeling exercises. (Graduate Novice, Pre-Open and above) 
11. Dogs must have a qualifying score at the state contest to receive placements. No judge’s sheets will be given to exhibitors. Score sheets will be viewed at the judge’s discretion. Awards will be given at the conclusion of the morning session. Exhibitors must claim trophies and ribbons the day of the show. They will not be sent. 
12. In most classes, commands/signals given by handler will be either voice or hand, but not both. The Stay command can be both verbal and a signal. See full AKC rules and regulations for clarification of your class’s specific rules. 
13. Exercises for all classes may be done in any order, depending upon scheduling and the judge’s preference. 

The following (12-14) are the exceptions as compared to AKC in the classes offered for the 4-H show: 

12. 4-H has 2 levels of Novice obedience. Level 1 for dogs new to the novice class and Level 2 for dogs who have successfully shown in Novice previously, or the youth showed a different dog previously. 
13. 4-H is based upon Positive Youth Development – meaning that the dog training project is for the youth only, not for a parent to train the dog and the youth to show it.  
14. Youth showing dogs who were trained previously by an adult are not eligible for high in trial awards. 

 Beginner Novice I Class 

(For inexperienced handlers and inexperienced dogs) 

1. Heel on Leash (forward, halt, right turn, left turn, about turn, slow, normal, and fast). The last order signifies that the handler and dog must break pace. These orders will be given by utilizing posted signs Maximum points 40 
2. Figure Eight (on leash) Maximum points 40 
3. Sit for Exam (on leash) Maximum points 40 
4. Sit Stay (walk around ring) Maximum points 40 
5. Recall (off leash front/no finish) Maximum points 40 

Beginner Novice II Class 

(For experienced handlers and inexperienced dogs or experienced dogs and inexperienced handlers.) 

1. Heel on Leash (forward, halt, right turn, left turn, about turn, slow, normal, and fast). The last order signifies that the handler and dog must break pace. These orders will be given by utilizing posted signs Maximum points 40 
2. Figure Eight (on leash) Maximum points 40 
3. Sit for Exam (on leash) Maximum points 40 
4. Sit Stay (walk around ring) Maximum points 40 
5. Recall (off leash front/no finish) Maximum points 40 

Preferred Novice Class 

1. Heel on Leash and Figure 8 Maximum points 40 
2. Stand for Examination (off leash) Maximum points 30 
3. Heel Free (off leash) Maximum points 40 
4. Recall (off leash with finish) Maximum points 30 
5. Sit or Down Stay-Walk around the Ring Maximum points 30 
6. Sit Stay-Get Your Leash (off leash) Maximum points 30 

Novice Class 

1. Heel on Leash and Figure 8 (on leash) Maximum points 40 
2. Stand for Examination (off leash) Maximum points 30 
3. Heel Free (off leash) Maximum points 40 
4. Recall (off leash) Maximum points 30 
5. Sit Stay – Get your leash (off leash) Maximum points 30 
6. Group Exercise – Sit & Down Stay (on leash) Maximum points 30 

Graduate Novice Class 

1. Heel Free and Figure 8 (off leash) Maximum points 40 
2. Drop on Recall Maximum points 40 
3. Dumbbell Recall Maximum points 30 
4. Dumbbell Recall over High Jump Maximum points 30 
5. Recall over Broad Jump Maximum points 30 
6. Stay-Get your leash (sit, Down) Maximum points 30 

 Preferred Open Class 

1. Heel Free and Figure 8 Maximum points 40 
2. Command Discrimination (Stand, Down, Sit) Maximum points 30 
3. Drop on Recall Maximum points 30 
4. Retrieve on Flat Maximum points 20 
5. Retrieve over High Jump Maximum points 30 
6. Broad Jump Maximum points 20 
7. Stay-Get your leash (Sit, Down) Maximum points 30 

Open Class 

1. Heel Free and Figure 8 Maximum points 40 
2. Command Discrimination (Stand, Down, Sit) Maximum points 30 
3. Drop on Recall Maximum points 30 
4. Retrieve on Flat Maximum points 20 
5. Retrieve over High Jump Maximum points 30 
6. Broad Jump Maximum points 20 
7. Stay-Get your leash (Sit, Down) Maximum points 30 

Graduate Open Class 

1. Signal Exercise Maximum points 40 
2. Scent Discrimination Maximum points 30 
3. Go Out Maximum points 30 
4. Directed Jumping Maximum points 40 
5. Moving Stand and Examination Maximum points 30 
6. Directed Retrieve Maximum points 30 

Preferred Utility Class 

1. Signal Exercise Maximum points 40 
2. Scent Discrimination Article #1 Maximum points 30 
3. Scent Discrimination Article #2 Maximum points 30 
4. Directed Retrieve Maximum points 30 
5. Moving Stand & Examination Maximum points 30 
6. Directed Jumping Maximum points 40 

Utility Class 

1. Signal Exercise Maximum points 40 
2. Scent Discrimination Article #1 Maximum points 30 
3. Scent Discrimination Article #2 Maximum points 30 
4. Directed Retrieve Maximum points 30 
5. Moving, Stand and Examination Maximum points 30 
6. Directed Jumping Maximum points 40 

 Obedience Awards 

Qualifying Score ribbon 

Placing 1-6 (must receive a qualifying score) 

High Point in Trial or Show, Beginner Trophy 

Highest scoring dog in Beginner Novice I, Beginner Novice II, Pre-Novice, and Novice 

High Point in Trial or Show, Advanced Trophy 

Highest scoring dog in Graduate Novice, Pre-Open, Open, Graduate Open and Utility 

Deborah Orr Memorial Award - A cash award will be sent to the member exhibiting the dog that receives the highest number of points in Novice, Open or Utility. Deborah Orr was active in the Kane County dog obedience program and passed away in 1982. 

SHOWMANSHIP 

1. A county may be represented by one junior showmanship dog/handler team and one senior showmanship dog/handler team who have earned/won their county competition. If a county- winning team(s) cannot attend, alternate team(s) may be entered. (Limited to 1 junior and 1 senior team.) Handlers must be members of the county they are representing. A dog may compete in only one showmanship class. 

2. Exhibitors will be judged on handling skill, knowledge of breed standards of their dog, dog show terminology and elementary dog anatomy. The judge has the right to question exhibitors in one or all of these areas. 

3. Dogs will be judged on cleanliness, general health, and grooming. 

4. Purebred and non-purebred dogs are eligible for this class. The breed of dog has no bearing on judging or placement. 
5. A dog eligible for Showmanship that must be withdrawn for good and sufficient reason (a female in season or veterinarian excuse) may be replaced by another dog owned by the handler or the family. This must be in writing (giving the reason) at the beginning of the show. 
6. Judges’ decisions are final. 

Junior Showmanship Awards 

Champion & Reserve Champion Trophy 

For handlers, ages 8-13 years (as of September 1, 2022), who have been chosen to represent their county in Jr. Showmanship. 

Senior Showmanship Awards 

Champion & Reserve Champion Trophy 

For handlers ages 14 (as of September 1, 2022) and older, who have who have been chosen to represent their county in Sr. Showmanship. 

 RALLY OBEDIENCE 

*New Classes* 

1. Dog/Handler team must receive a qualifying score of 70 out of 100 to compete at the state level. 
2. The event will be timed. In the event of a tie score, the fastest time will break the tie. 
3. A Dog/Handler team should receive 3 qualifying scores before advancing to the next level. 
4. Rally rings will be at least 2000 - 3000 square feet with a minimum width of 30 feet. 

Rally Novice 

10-15 signs are used (not including start and finish). 3-7 of the signs must be “stationary” signs. Performed on leash. It is recommended that dogs have the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) prior to competing in this class for 2024. It will be required for 2025. In the Novice class, the handler may speak to the dog, pat their leg, or clap their hands to encourage. 

Rally Intermediate 

12-17 signs are used (not including start and finish). 3-7 of the signs must be “stationary” signs. At least 3 “advanced” signs. Performed on leash. 

Rally Advance12-17 signs are used (not including start and finish). 3-7 of the signs must be “stationary” signs. At least 3 “advanced” signs. Dog must jump once. Performed off leash. Cannot pat leg or clap hands for encouragement. 

Rally Excellent 

15-20 signs are used (not including start, finish, or call marker). Dog must jump twice. 2 or more of the signs must be “advanced” signs. 3 or more of the signs must be “excellent” signs. Must include a “Sit Stay” sign. Performed off leash. Cannot pat leg or clap hands for encouragement. 

Rally Awards 

Qualifying Score ribbon 

Placing 1-6 (must receive a qualifying score) 

Awards will be given at the conclusion of the afternoon session 

Rally Courses 

All Rally courses will be from the collections of AKC virtual Rally https://www.akc.org/sports/rally/rally-virtual-entry/rally-virtual-courses/