4-H members who excel in the 4-H Dog project are encouraged to compete at the local 4-H dog obedience contest for a chance to advance to the Illinois 4-H Dog Show. Competition in both obedience and showmanship are held. The Illinois State 4-H Dog Show uses the American Kennel Club regulations as a guideline.  CLICK HERE  to download the AKC Rules and Regulations.

The Illinois 4-H State Dog Show will be held Saturday, August 29 at the Granny Rose K-9 Enrichment Center. 

Schedule

• 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)

K-9 Center 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.
• Dogs must be under the control of the exhibitor at all times, either in a crate or on a leash (max. 6 foot long). Crating is highly recommended. CRATE SPACE is provided in designated areas.
• 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: ​We thank you for cleaning up after your dog throughout both days.  Cleaning supplies and disposal containers are available at various locations around the showgrounds.
• We will have food available for sale on-site.

Emergency Information

• VET (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.
• Fire/Ambulance/Police – Lee County 911
• KSB Hospital, 403 E 1st St, Dixon 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 Road. Follow Kilgore to Granny Rose K-9 Enrichment Center.

Lodging

(County zoning regulations prohibit overnight stays on club property.)

• Quality Inn & Suites 136 Plaza Dr, Dixon 815-284-0500 (Block: 4-H Dog Show)
• Days Inn, Rock Falls, 2105 1st Ave, Rock Falls 815-626-5500
• Comfort Inn & Suites, Rochelle, 1133 North 7th St, Rochelle 815-562-5551
• Holiday Inn, Rochelle, 1240 Dement Rd, Rochelle 815-562-9994

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

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.

1. 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.
2. 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 in the event that the winning team cannot attend but each county may only be represented by one Junior dog-handler team and one Senior dog-handler team.
3. 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.
4. Exhibitors must have been at least 8 years old and not yet 19 as of September 1, 2018.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Proof of rabies vaccination must be shown at check in.
10. 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 local 4-H extension office by June 1, 2019.
11. All dogs must be leashed or crated while on the grounds. Dogs must be under the exhibitor’s supervision at all times.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Female dogs in season cannot participate in the State Show.
15. 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.
16. Judges decisions are final. 

Eligibility

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. 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. 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 in the event that the winning team cannot attend but each county may only be represented by one Junior dog-handler team and one Senior dog-handler team. 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.