The Rowan County Fair is right around the corner for the junior exhibitors who plan on showing their dogs in the 4-H Junior Dog Show.
This fun and educational experience focuses on the youth and their ability to relate with their dogs. This year the show is open to all youth between the ages of 5 and 19. It will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. 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.
Lynn Meeks of the Salisbury Kennel club 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.
All exhibitors will receive a ribbon. Best of Class will receive a ribbon and a trophy, and first- through fifth-placings will receive premiums.
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 4-H Junior Dog show, youth need to complete an entry form. You can download the entry form from the Rowan County 4-H Blog, http://rowancounty4-h.blogspot.com/ or you can pick one up at the Rowan County Cooperative Extension office, 2727 Old Concord Road.
Training class
A dog showmanship and training class will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Salisbury Kennel Club, 4208 Old Concord Road.
At this workshop, youth will work on handling their dog as well as learn some aspects of showmanship to prepare their animal for the 4-H Dog Show at the Rowan County Fair in September.
Lynn Meeks will be teaching the workshop. There is a limit of 25 youth and dogs. Please call 704-216-8970 by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, to sign up for this clinic.
All youth are to bring their dogs and a record of vaccination and meet at the Salisbury Kennel Club. Youth also need to bring the dog’s collar, leash, a bowl for water, bags for clean-up and a crate.
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. For more information about N.C. Cooperative Extension, call the Rowan Extension Office at 704-216-8970 or visit http://rowan.ces.ncsu.edu.