4-H/FFA Dog Show Rules & Classes

Department 8: 4-H & FFA Dog Show

Co-Chairs
Taylor McCumber
Phone: 660-247-5075

Amy Hoerrmann
Phone: 660-734-1897

Note Changes to Classes and Rules

  1. Entries in the 4-H Dog Show are limited to dog project members who have passed their 8th birthday and have not passed their 19th birthday on January 1 of the current program year. Participation in a county or area show is not a pre-requisite for showing in the Missouri State Fair 4-H Dog Show. Entries in the FFA Dog Show are limited to exhibitors in FFA who are in good standing.
  2. Show: Monday, August 17, 9:00 a.m. – Mathewson Exhibition Center. Dogs need to be present at show only at scheduled times of judging and may leave immediately thereafter, unless required for further judging. (If you win first in your class, please stay for pictures.)
    • Absolutely no dogs left unsupervised in the Mathewson Exhibition Center. All dogs and equipment must be removed at the completion of the show. Any dogs left will be turned over to the humane society.
  3. All entry forms must be received by July 13 at 5:00 p.m.
  4. An entry fee of $4.00 will be charged for each class entry of each dog.
  5. Proper equipment must be used or entry may face disqualification. Proper equipment consists of: Obedience-6 foot leash and properly fitted collar approved by the judge. No special training collars will be permitted; nothing may be hanging from the dog’s collar.
  6. The dog must be trained by the exhibitor.
  7. The exhibitor shall have been in possession of the dog by April 1, 2026. Age of the 4-H member was his/her age on January 1 of the current year.
  8. Only one obedience class per dog. Only one rally class per dog. Only one Jr. Showmanship Class per person.
  9. Bitches in season may be shown in Junior Showmanship and at the end of their obedience class, if properly bathed and deodorized with an anti-mating spray and cleared as okay by the judge.
  10. Missouri Exhibition Requirements for Dogs and Cats
    • Intrastate (Missouri origin dogs and cats moving for exhibition).
      • Dogs and cats must be free of clinical signs of any infectious or contagious disease.
      • No Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is required.
      • Dogs and cats, four (4) months of age and older, must be vaccinated for rabies by one (1) of the methods and within the time period published in the March 1, 2016 edition of the Compendium of Animal Rabies Vaccines by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc.
    • Interstate (dogs and cats entering Missouri for exhibition only).
      • Dogs and cats must be free of clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease.
      • A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is required.
      • No entry permit is required.
      • All dogs and cats, four (4) months of age and older, must be vaccinated for rabies by one (1) of the methods and within the time period published in the March 1, 2016 edition of the Compendium of Animal Rabies Vaccines by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc.
  11. All dogs need to be on a leash at all times when not showing and in the building.
  12. If an exhibitor has shown at the Missouri State Fair previously, he/she must move up in the classes as indicated below. If the exhibitor is in the first year at the State Fair, he/she may show as a novice junior handler in 1st yr. beginner novice-obedience class, regardless of participation locally. However, if the dog is titled, the exhibitor must show in the class above the degree. A dog may show in beginner novice (beginner) 1 year; novice class, 2 years; graduate novice, 3 years; and open and utility, no limit in years. (County rules may differ.)
  13. Effective Immediately, Rally Has Years Shown Max. If the exhibitor and dog have shown Rally please watch years allowed. Adogmay showRallyNovice1st year1time, RallyNovice 2 years, Rally Intermediate 2 years, Rally Advanced 2 years, and Rally Excellent Unlimited.
  14. Novice and Open Jr. Showmanship will be judged as follows: 70% on handling; 10% on knowledge of dog; 10% on poise and appearance of exhibitor; 10% on grooming of dog.
  15. Obedience classes will be judged according to AKC rules and score cards as follows: (Note: some classes have changed!)
    • Beginner-Novice: (First-Year Dog) May compete 1 year only: Heel on leash, 40 points; Figure “8”, 40 points: Sit for examination, 40 points; Sit Stay, 40 points; Recall, 40 points. Maximum total score: 200 points.
    • Novice: (Second-Year Dog) May compete 2 years max: Heel on leash and figure “8”, 40 points; Standing for examination, 30 points; Heel free, 40 points; Recall, 30 points; Sit stay – get your leash, 30 points; Group Exercise – Sit & Down Stay, 30 points. Maximum total score: 200 points.
    • Graduate Novice – May compete 3 years max: Heel free and figure “8”, 40 points; Drop on recall, 40 points; Dumbbell recall, 30 points; Dumbbell Recall over high jump, 30 points; Recall over broad jump, 30 points; Stay – Get your leash (sit, down), 30 points: Maximum total score, 200 points.
    • Open – May compete unlimited years: Heel free and figure “8”, 40 points; Command Discrimination (stand, down, sit) 30 points; Drop on recall, 30 points; Retrieve on flat, 20 points; Retrieve over high jump, 30 points; Broad jump, 20 points; Stay – Get Your Leash (sit, down), 30 points. Maximum total score: 200 points.
    • Utility – May compete unlimited years: Signal exercise, 40 points; Scent discrimination Article #1, 30 points; Scent discrimination Article #2, 30 points; Directed retrieve, 30 points; Moving Stand and examination, 30 points; Directed Jumping, 40 points. Maximum total score: 200 points.
    • Rally Novice 1st Year Handler – May compete 1 year max: Must be a 1st year dog at the Missouri State Fair. Performed on leash. Must have 10-15 signs (start and finish not included) and have a minimum of 3 and no more than 5 stationary exercises; exercise performed vary from turning 360 degrees to changing paces during the course; exhibitors at this level may clap their hands and pat their legs through the course: Maximum total score: 100 points.
    • Rally Novice – May compete 2 years max: Performed on leash. Must have 10-15 signs (start and finish not included) and have a minimum of 3 and no more than 5 stationary exercises; exercise performed vary from turning 360 degrees to changing paces during the course; exhibitors at this level may clap their hands and pat their legs through the course: Maximum total score: 100 points.
    • Rally Intermediate – May compete 2 years max: Performed on leash. Must have 12-17 signs (start and finish not included) and have a minimum of 3 and no more than 7 stationary exercises; will have a minimum of 3 advanced signs (NO JUMPS); exhibitors at this level may clap their hands and pat their legs through the course: Maximum total score: 100 points.
    • Rally Advanced – May compete 2 years max: Performed off leash. Must have 12-17 stations (start and finish not included) with 3 to 7 stationary exercises; must include 1 jump; will have a minimum of 3 advanced exercises: Maximum total score: 100 points.
    • Rally Excellence – no limit on years: Performed off leash: Must have 15-20 stations, with 3 to 7 stationary exercises; Must have 2 jumps and the sit stay sign; a minimum of 2 advanced signs and 3 excellent signs; handlers are only allowed to encourage their dogs verbally; physical encouragement is not allowed at this level; Maximum total score: 100 points.
  16. Dog Bowl: Live versions of dog bowl will happen at Noon. Written test must be taken between time of registration and 11:30 a.m.
    • All rings will take a lunch break at Noon for the Live version of the dog bowl to be held and not be a distraction to the rings.

Dog Classes

Junior Showmanship

  • 1 Junior Showmanship, 8-13 years, Novice*………………………9 6 3
  • 2 Junior Showmanship, 14 years and over, Novice*……………9 6 3
  • 3 Junior Showmanship, 9-12 years, Open*………………………..9 6 3
  • 4 Junior Showmanship, 13-15 years, Open**…………………….9 6 3
  • 5 Junior Showmanship, 16 years and over, Open*……………..9 6 3
    • *NOVICE: 4-H or FFA members competing in the Missouri State Fair Dog Show for the first year.
    • **OPEN: 4-H or FFA members who have competed one or more years in the Missouri State Fair Dog Show.
    • Plaque: Best Junior Handler – Novice, Best Junior Handler – Open
  • 6 Beginner Novice (1st Year Dog)…………………………………….9 6 3
  • 7 Beginner Novice (1st Year Dog)…………………………………….9 6 3
  • 8 Beginner Novice (1st Year Dog)…………………………………….9 6 3
  • 9 Novice members 12 years & under………………………………..9 6 3
  • 10 Novice members 13 years & over………………………………….9 6 3
  • 11 Graduate Novice…………………………………………………………9 6 3
  • 12 Open……………………………………………………………………9 6 3
  • 13 Utility……………………………………………………………………9 6 3
  • 14 Rally Novice 1st year……………………………………………………9 6 3
  • 15 Rally Novice, 8-12 years………………………………………………9 6 3
  • 16 Rally Novice, 13 year and over……………………………………..9 6 3
  • 17 Rally Intermediate……………………………………………………….9 6 3
  • 18 Rally Advanced……………………………………………………………9 6 3
  • 19 Rally Excellent…………………………………………………………….9 6 3
  • 20 Junior Dog Bowl Participant (8-13 years)……………………….9 6 3
  • 21 Senior Dog Bowl Participant (14 years & over)………………..9 6 3
    • Ages subject to change based on number of entries.

Plaques- High Point Dog in Beginner Novice; Novice; Graduate Novice; Open; Utility; High Point Obedience; Rally, Novice, Rally Intermediate and Rally Excellence. Plaques sponsored by Missouri State University Darr College of Agriculture

Medals – Top team in each Junior and Senior Dog Bowl.