Best in show
Annual dog show to showcase finest in 4-H
Jillian Sohar shows her All-American mixed breed, Dexter, at the fair’s preshow. Photos courtesy of LORNA WEBB
MEDINA – The annual dog show will kick off the fair arena’s lineup Monday, July 31 at 6 p.m. when Medina County 4-H handlers will introduce their best canines in showmanship and obedience.

“Everyone loves kids and dogs and without volunteers to put on the various shows at the fair, the kids would have no way to show off their hard work,” event organizer Lorna Webb said.

In order to compete, the 4-H dogs must complete one year of obedience or showmanship before they can move on to the agility ring.

According to Webb, this affords first-year 4-Hers and their dogs the chance to compete in Beginning Novice A obedience competition, where they work on heeling with a loose leash and teaching their dogs to sit and stay.

Webb said the handlers and dogs advance each year, adding various learning elements until they achieve off-leash exercises, like commanding the dog down from a distance, retrieving a dumbbell over a high jump and staying for five minutes while handlers are out-of-sight.

“The kids also compete in showmanship, which is similar to what many see on TV Thanksgiving Day for the National Dog Show,” Webb said. “The big difference is that in 4-H they are judged on their handling skill and not the dog structure, as well as having to answer questions on their knowledge of dog structure, diseases and other canine discipline.”

Webb said the 4-Hers show their dogs to the judges at the host training facility, Medina Kennel Club, before the fair event because of safety concerns and not having a suitable place to demonstrate the higher obedience levels at the fairgrounds.

“MKC allows the kids to use their facility and take any class free of charge,” Webb said.

At the Monday evening dog showcase, the contestants will receive their placement ribbons, trophies and awards, which include High Point, Reserve High Point Obedience, Best Junior and Reserve Junior showmanship.

Webb said they will be crowning this year’s canine king and queen and puppy prince and princess as part of the Canine Royal Court event added several years ago.

“Each court contestant had to be involved in multiple canine disciplines, complete numerous community service hours and give back to the host club by helping at MKC various events, writing an essay and completing an interview,” Webb said.

After the presentations, the students will compete in Rally Obedience, which is a course organized around signs. In order to place, the 4-Hers must successfully navigate through the course and follow the instructions designated by each sign.

The event will also recognize the Medina County Dog Bowl teams, which Webb said are similar to academic challenge groups. The senior and junior 4-H teams competed at the Ohio State Dog Bowl this year and received fourth and sixth place in their categories.