Currently,
the purpose of the dog judges certification process is to certify judges for
regional and state 4-H dog shows.
This will provide consistent judging at regional and state competition.
This will provide consistent judging at regional and state competition.
This process was approved at
the summer meeting of the Minnesota 4-H Dog
Project Development Committee (PDC) on June 8, 2001.
Judges
may be certified in any area.
(example: Agility only, Obedience only, Showmanship only, Agility &
Obedience,
Agility & Showmanship, Obedience & Showmanship, or Agility, Obedience,
& Showmanship).
| Minimum Age | Prospective 4-H judges must be 20 years old at the time of application. |
| Application
(see below) |
Prospective 4-H judges must must complete an application form prior to or at the judges training. The application includes experience in the specific area (agility, obedience, showmanship), previous experience as a judge, thoughts on youth development, etc. |
| Judges Training | Prospective 4-H judges must attend a judges training in the specific area (agility, obedience, showmanship) they are seeking certification. |
| Interview | Prospective 4-H judges must complete an interview at the judges training. |
| Written Test | Prospective 4-H judges must complete a written open-book test covering the rules for the specific area (agility, obedience, showmanship) they are seeking certification for. The test will be mailed to the applicants approximately two weeks prior to the judges training they have registered for and must be returned at the judges training. A passing score of 80% is required. |
| Apprenticeships | Prospective 4-H judges must complete and pass one to three apprenticeships evaluated by a senior judge OR an observed judging assignment evaluated by a senior judge. The number (1-3) will be deteremined by the supervising senior judge based on the outcome of the first and/or second apprenticeship/observation. A prospective judge who has failed after three apprenticeships/observed judging assignments must reapply for certification and begin the entire process again. |
| Provisional Status | After provisional status is granted, a prospective 4-H judge has three years to complete certification. If certification is not completed within the three year time frame, a provisional judge must reapply for certification and begin the entire process again. |
| Maintaining
Certification (re-certification) |
A certified judge must attend a judges training at least once every three years to maintain certification in that specific area (agility, obedience, showmanship). Failure to attend a seminar within the three year time frame will result in a certified judge being moved to the provisional status. A judge will be returned to their previous status upon attendance at a judges training. |
If you are unable to print an application, request an application by sending an e-mail to the Center for 4-H Youth Development. Be sure to include your name and mailing address so an application can be sent to you.