4-H Dog Fun Match to be held Saturday

Clatsop County 4-H is hosting a 4-H Dog Fun Match Saturday, May 17, in the arena at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds. The match begins at 8:30 a.m. with one ring featuring Dog Obedience and another ring judging the youth’s Showmanship skills.

After lunch there will be a Rally Obedience class. This is a fairly new dog sport where the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. They proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations – 10 to 20, depending on the level. Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Handlers are permitted to talk, praise, encourage, clap their hands, pat their legs, or use any verbal means of encouragement, but may not touch the dog or make physical corrections.

The Rally class will be followed by a Parent Showmanship Class where the parents will be judged by 4-H members on their Dog Showmanship skills.

Family, friends, and community members are welcome to come and watch the free all-day event. For more information call the OSU Extension office at (503) 325-8573.