Training class for fair dog show

Erik Thomas with Sugar and judge Lynn Meeks at a previous dog show. Submitted photo.

The Rowan County Fair is right around the corner. With the fair comes the 4-H Junior Dog Show.

For those youth competitors who are interested in participating, Lynn Meeks of the Salisbury Kennel Club will hold a dog showmanship and training class. This class is open to youth, ages 5 to 19, and will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Salisbury Kennel Club, 4208 Old Concord Road.

At this workshop, youth will work on handling their dogs as well as learn some aspects of showmanship to prepare their animal for the annual 4-H Junior Dog Show at the Rowan County Fair. Space is limited to 25 youth and dogs for this workshop. Please call 704-216-8970 by Friday, Sept. 10, to sign up for this workshop.

All youth are to bring their dogs, record of vaccination and meet at the Salisbury Kennel Club. Bring your dog’s collar, leash, a bowl for water, bags for clean-up and a crate.

The 4-H Junior Dog Show is a fun and educational experience that focuses on the youth and their ability to relate with their dogs.

This year, the show, which is open to all youth between the ages of 5 and 19, will be held on Thursday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. at the Rowan County Fairgrounds. Check-in will begin at 5:15 p.m. All participants must be registered by 5:45 p.m.

All dogs must have their vaccinations for distemper, parvo and rabies and must be a minimum of 4 months old. Proof will be required. Dogs do not have to be purebred, but they do need to be well behaved and on a leash for the show.

There are many classes available including hound, sporting, non-sporting, working, terrier, toy, herding, miscellaneous, puppy, cloverbud, senior citizen dog, trick and talent.

Meeks will be the judge of the show. She will be looking for several key areas including showmanship, the relationship between the youth and the dog, eye contact and awareness of the judge and grooming of the dog.

The dog should be washed, clean and well cared for. The judge will ask simple questions to the exhibitors to test their knowledge of the dog.

Unlike other competitive shows, based on pedigree and breed characteristics, the 4-H Junior Dog Show is an enriching, fun experience for all members of the family, including the dog.

Please come out and support our youth by watching the exciting and entertaining 4-H Junior Dog Show.

To register for the show, youth need to complete an entry form. You can download the entry form from http://rowan4h. com or you may pick one up at the Rowan County Cooperative Extension Office, 2727 Old Concord Road. You can also register at the showmanship workshop or on site on the day of the show.

For more information concerning the 4-H Junior Dog Show or the North Carolina 4-H program, please contact Sara Drake, 4-H Extension Agent, at 704-216-8970 or sara_drake@ncsu.edu.