Page 145 - Fairbook 2026.1.28.26.1 copy.indd

143 2026 BUTLER COUNTY
Division 1-Obedience: less winning fi rst place -If winning fi rst place in Pre-Novice,
• The fi gure 8 exercise will be performed using cones exhibitor can still show in Beginner Novice B until winning
as posts. People will no longer be used as posts in the fi rst place or experience at the Novice level
fi gure 8 exercise. .
• Obedience Classes demonstrate the dog’s ability to J-4 Novice A - In this class, neither the handler nor dog
follow specifi ed routines in the obedience ring and have had any prior experience at the Novice level before
emphasize the usefulness of the dog as a companion their county’s current 4-H or FFA enrollment deadline. Once
to humankind. The objective of obedience class is to a member shows in this class, he/she must move to Novice
recognize dogs that have been trained to behave in the B at the very minimum.
home, in public places, and in the presence of other
dogs in a manner that will refl ect credit on the sport of J-5 Novice B - This class is for the 4-H member or dog
obedience at all times and under all conditions. Each that has shown in Novice A or has had experience at the
level of obedience competition requires mastering a Novice level prior to their county’s current enrollment dead-
specifi c skill set, which increase in diffi culty, before line. They have not yet progressed to Graduate Novice A

advancing to the next level. level or higher. If an exhibitor wins the Novice B class with
• Rules and requirements for 4-H Dog Obedience includ- competition, he/she must move to Graduate Novice A or
ing classes, Handler's Appearance, Dog's Appearance, higher the next year with the same dog.
Acceptable Collars & Leads. Any dog holding an AKC
Companion Dog Obedience Title may not compete in J-6 Graduated Novice A - In this class neither the
the Beginner-Novice A or B class Pre-Novice or Novice handler nor the dog have had any prior experience at the
A or B. graduated novice level before their county’s current 4-H
• Members MUST move to the next level if they win a or FFA enrollment deadline. Once a member shows in this
class with competition. Members may move forward in class, he/she must move to Graduated Novice B at the very
the obedience class progression if he or she choose, minimum
but may not drop back to a lower level class with the .
same dog. Exhibitors showing their dogs at any Li- J-7 Graduate Novice B - This class is for the exhibitor or
censed or Member Obedience Trial or at a Sanctioned dog that has shown in Graduate Novice A or has had prior
Match must show their dogs at the same or higher level experience at the Graduate Novice level. They have also
B classes than they are showing in AKC, UKC, or other not progressed to the Open level or higher. If an exhibitor
titling shows. Dogs completing their Companion Dog wins the Graduate Novice B class with competition, he/ she
(CD) title (or UKC, or other titling equivalents) prior to must move to Open A or higher the next year with the same
July 1, 2025, must show in Graduate Novice classes. dog
Dogs completing their Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) .
title (or UKC, or other titling equivalents) prior to July 1, J-8 Open A - In this class neither the exhibitor nor dog
2025, must show in Open or Graduate Open classes. has had any prior experience at the Open level before
Any dog receiving one or more legs toward a title any- the county’s current enrollment deadline. Once a member
time during the project year must then move into the shows in this class, he/ she must move to Open B at the
appropriate B class at the time the fi rst leg was earned. very minimum
Fun matches do not apply. .
• An Exhibitor may compete with no more than 3 dogs in J-9 Open B - This class is for the exhibitor or dog which
same class has shown in Open A or has had prior experience at the
Classes: Open level. They have also not progressed to the Graduate
J-1 Beginner-Novice A - For fi rst-year youth and dogs with Open level or higher. If an exhibitor wins the Open B class
no prior experience in obedience before April 1. Show one with competition, he/she must move to Graduate Open the
year then move either to Beginner Novice B or Pre-Novice. next year with the same dog.

J-2 Beginner-Novice B - For youth and/or dogs already J-10 Graduate Open - In this class neither the exhibitor
shown in Beginner Novice A or have had experience at Be- nor dog has had any prior experience in a higher level of
ginner Novice or Pre-Novice level before April 1. Can move dog obedience before the county’s deadline.
back and forth between Beginner Novice B and Pre-Novice
unless winning fi rst place. If Winning fi rst place in Beginner J-11 Brace-Details from State website.
Novice B, exhibitor can still show in Pre-Novice until win-
ning fi rst place or experience at the Novice level.
Division 2-Showmanship:
J-3 Pre-Novice - For youth and/or dogs already shown *Bait Allowed
in Beginner Novice A or have had experience at Beginner • The judging order for showmanship at the fair will
Novice or Pre-Novice level before April 1. Can move back change. Dog and handlers will be judged in the follow-
and forth between Beginner Novice B and Pre-Novice un- ing order, dog exam, handling & interview questions.
• Rules and requirements for 4-H Showmanship classes,