Objectives

The purpose of the 4-H Dog Judging Contest is to increase 4-H members problem solving and discretionary abilities. It is also designed to challenge 4-H members to increase their knowledge of their chosen project area.

Contest Rules

1. Contestants must be 4-H members enrolled in the dog project and approved by the 4-H Extension Staff of their respective county.
2. All participants must follow the Washington State 4-H Dog Program Policies Dress Code.
3. There will be no talking or collaborating during the contest. Contestants observed talking will be disqualified. Questions are to be directed to the monitors or designated helpers only.
4. Under no circumstances are the tests or contestants to leave the contest area without permission. Contestants who leave the contest area without permission will be disqualified. If a contestant needs to go to the restroom, their test will be given to a monitor before they leave the contest area and given back to them when they return to the contest area.
5. Use of a number two pencil is required for the State Judging Contest. 
6. For contests using a scantron system, contestants will follow the scantron sheet instructions provided on the clipboard. Scantron sheets will have a preassigned exhibitor number. For contests using placement cards, there is to be a place for the contestant to write their exhibitor number on the placement card. Placement cards submitted without an exhibitor number will be disqualified.
7. Contestants will fill in the bubble or square in the column under the correct class number on the scantron sheet or placement card. Once a contestant has marked their final placement for a class on their scantron sheet or placement card, it must be highlighted by a monitor before moving on to the next class. After a placement has been highlighted by a monitor, a contestant must see the superintendent to make a correction if they made an error marking the scantron sheet or placement card.
8. If any column on the scantron sheet or placement card is left blank, the contestant will receive a zero for that class but will not be disqualified from the entire contest.
9. All electronic devices, including but not limited to, calculators, tablets, and cell phones are prohibited unless it is being used as a medical device. If a contestant’s phone should ring, or if they are observed using electronic devices during the contest, the contestant will be disqualified.
10. If an individual has a disability and needs reasonable accommodations, information can be found on the Reasonable Accommodation Policy website.

Placement Classes

1. Placement classes are to be the only focus of the contest. Oral Reasons, and if given, Written Reasons are to be part of the placement classes.
2. Placement classes can be on any number of things, including but not limited to toenail clippers, clothing, baiting, leads, kennels, obedience, showmanship, breed, i.e., what breed would be best for a situation, etc. Each class must be different but may be related, i.e., Class one may be choosing a lead for a dog, and Class two may be choosing the correct Showmanship outfit to go with the same dog. Make sure to bring the items for the contestants to be able to pick up and feel, or pictures of items in a class, such as hairstyles. The correct placement of the class should be supported by the text written in the 4-H Dog Project Manual by AKC, Washington State 4-H Guide to Dog Showmanship, Washington State 4-H Guide to Dog Obedience, Washington State 4-H Guide to Agility, Washington State 4-H Guide to Rally Obedience, and the Washington State 4-H Fair Premium book.
3. Each placement class is to be worth 50 points.
4. There should be at least one adult volunteer per class to mark the contestant’s choice with a highlighter. The volunteer at each station should be able to answer any questions that the contestants may have.

Oral Reasons

1. Ideally, there should be at least three judges from different counties if at the State Fair, or one judge for each age group if at a county event. There may be more if needed.
2. Contestants may bring their placement written on a small sheet of paper for their presentation, but no notes.
3. Contestants should memorize what they will say to the judge.
4. Contestants will present their placements to the judge in a clear voice.
5. Junior contestants will have the option to do oral reasons at the State Fair, time permitting. Their oral reasons scores will not affect their total overall score.

Scoring Oral Reasons

The following are points to be considered by the persons evaluating oral reasons:

1. Knowledge of Subject: 40%
2. Use of Appropriate Terms: 25%
3. Presentation: 20%
4. Organization of Reasons: 15%

Each area has four columns marked E for excellent, G for good, F for fair and N for Needs work.

The point breakdowns are as follows:

Knowledge of Subject

Total if all Excellent is 20 points

Criteria	Excellent	Good	Fair	Needs Work
Saw Major Strengths	7	5	3	1
Weakness	6	4	2	1
Important Differences	7	5	3	1

Use of Appropriate Terms

Total if all Excellent is 12.5 points

Criteria	Excellent	Good	Fair	Needs Work
Descriptive adjectives	6	4	2	1
Correct names of parts	6.5	4.5	2.5	1.5

Presentation

Total if all Excellent is 10 points

Criteria	Excellent	Good	Fair	Needs Work
Grooming	1.5	1	.5	0
Posture	1.5	1	.5	0
Poise, Confidence	2	1.5	1	0
Eye Contact	1.5	1	.5	0
Clear, audible voice	2	1.5	1	0
Diction or English	1.5	1	.5	0

Organization

Total if all Excellent is 7.5 points

Criteria	Excellent	Good	Fair	Needs Work
Introduction	2.5	1.5	1	.5
Logical order	2.5	1.5	1	.5
Conclusion	2.5	1.5	1	.5

Judges are to mark the appropriate box after the contestant gives their reasons. The points on the scorecard can either be calculated by the judge or taken to the person in charge of adding up the points.

Please double-check your scorecard order against this template; there are multiple versions of the scorecard, and the order may vary, but the judged items are the same.

Written Reasons

Written Reasons are not given at the state level due to time constraints but are encouraged at the county level. This helps members to develop their writing skills.

The Written Reasons class is to be part of the placement classes. Contestants are to write their reasons on the paperwork provided.

Scoring Written Reasons

The following are points to be considered by the persons evaluating written reasons. The percentage and breakdown are approximations and are intended to be used as guidelines. 

1. Knowledge of Subject: 40%
2. Use of Appropriate Terms: 25%
3. Presentation: 20%
4. Organization of Reasons: 15%