KENT COUNTY YOUTH FAIR DOG DEPARTMENT RULES AND EXPECTATIONS

1. Health Guidelines

• A dog must be free of communicable diseases, and parasites and be up-to-date on vaccinations as required by the Kent County Dog Developmental Committee. We require vaccine boosters every three years unless the dog has a letter from their veterinarian stating they can not or no longer need vaccinations.

2. Project dog behavior requirements

• In order to be able to serve as a KCYF project dog, the dog must have socially acceptable behavior and not be a threat to the other KCYF showmen, leaders, judges, or other showman's dogs.

• Unacceptable behavior will include;

  • • Dogs that may bite out of aggression, stress, or fear

    • Dogs that are severely dog aggressive

    • Dogs that the youth showmen cannot safely control

3. Dogs must be physically fit and free from lameness.

• For chronic lameness due to arthritis or permanent injury, a veterinary certificate outlining the problem and the appropriateness of the dog to participate will be accepted.

4. Borrowed Dogs

• Borrowed dogs are encouraged to live with the handler, but this is not a requirement. If the project dog does not live with the handler will be expected to schedule extra training time and actively learn how to care for, groom, and train their borrowed dog. Borrowed dogs with previous training at a certain level in performance events must go in the appropriate handlers class or show in a class higher than their previous training.

5. Explorer and Novice Showmen

• • Explorers are members that are between the ages of 5 and 7 years old who choose not to compete for placements or awards. This is meant to give them a good experience while they are very young before choosing what projects they are most interested in and would like to pursue as “full age members.”

  • Novice Showmen are members between 5 and 8 years of age who choose to show competitively for awards and placements. If a showman chooses to show in the Novice age division, they must show in that age category for all classes, including their notebook. Once chosen to show as a Novice the showman will not be able to choose to show as an explorer in future years.

6. Handler Class

• Handler classes are for youth who are exhibiting a dog trained and/or shown to that level by someone other than themselves. 

• Additionally, youth who have 3 qualifying scores at any level but are not ready to advance must exhibit in the Handler class. 

• Handler classes are not eligible for Grand and Reserve Champion awards.

7. Dogs on the Kent County Youth Fair Grounds

• While the dog is on the fairgrounds during the week of the Kent County Youth Fair, outside of the normal KCYF Dog Project showtimes and locations, the below rules must be followed;

• A KCYF Project dog must have a passing AKC Canine Good Citizen Test on file with the Dog Project Superintendents.

• Project dogs that pass a CGC test will receive a bandana to identify them as KCYF project dogs. The bandana must be on the dog at all times while they are on the Fairgrounds.

• Only the youth showing the dog for the current year or that person’s; parent, legal guardian, dog project leader, or the Dog Project Superintendent or the Dog Project Co-Superintendent may handle the dog while on the Kent County Youth Fair Grounds.

• NO dogs will be allowed into the livestock barns.

• Project dogs will be allowed in the Exhibit Barn, Entertainment Tent, Food Court, and Midway.

• While in the food court, your dog will remain in a sit or down-stay at your side. There will be absolutely NO feet up on the table, seats, or laps.

• Be aware of your dog's stress level while on the fairgrounds, do not take them into an area that they will not be able to handle.

• While on the KCYF Grounds, the exhibitor will answer all questions asked from the public and other fairgoers politely as they are representatives of their project area.

• While walking, your dog will be in heel position on a leash no longer than 6 feet. NO flexi leads will be permitted.

8. Project Notebook

• The Dog Project Notebook is a way showmen can showcase all of their hard work leading up to the fair. The notebooks are due to the KCYF Dog Leaders meeting in July and need to have the following components. This is a requirement in order to participate in the KCYF Dog Show. An award of B or better is needed to be eligible for placements and premiums.

  • Everything is kept together in a 3 ring binder.

  • A Table of Contents to guide your judge through your book

  • One Dog Project Record Book per dog the exhibitor is planning on showing

  • At least three completed Educational requirements.

  • The appropriate level Judges Page, filled in with your information and placed in your book's front inside page pocket for the judge to fill out with your scores.

  • For a more detailed guide for the project notebook, please see the Notebook Guidebook document in the Dog Project Google Drive in the Notebook Documents and Guidebook folders.

9. Showmanship requirement

• It is a KCYF requirement for all exhibitors to show in the showmanship class for each animal they exhibit. As such, if a showman is unable to attend the KCYF Dog Showmanship show, they will not be eligible to show in any other classes with limited emergency exceptions. Emergency exceptions do not include planned trips or other conflicting obligations that were known to the handler ahead of time.

  • Emergency exceptions include; acute illness, tragic events, and the like.

10. First Year Dog Evaluation

• The first year that a dog is chosen as a project dog, regardless of the experience of the showman, the dog will need to be evaluated by one of the Superintendents prior to participating in the KCYF show days. There are two given opportunities to meet this requirement, the April Walk-A-Thon and the July Preview Show. It is the responsibility of the showmen to schedule an appointment to meet with one of the Superintendents if they are unable to attend either of the above events.