James Holt and his dog Chewbacca have been competing in the 4-H dog show for the last three years.
ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - You hear about the cows, hogs, and horses at the Allen County Fair, but the dogs have their time to shine too! Conner Prince will tell us how teamwork helps bring home a championship.
"I always do 4H. I have always done 4-H. It means my way of life. It's everything I do," says James Holt, 3rd year showing dogs, 10 years in 4-H.
There are many categories in which dogs and their owners can compete for a champion banner, including showmanship, rally, and interviews.
James Holt and his dog Chewbacca, also known as "Chew," have been competing in the 4-H dog show for the last three years. But this is a relatively new competition for Holt, who has been showing cows and rabbits for nearly 10 years. He says his friends always push him to do better, and they talk him into showing dogs.
"It's really the people and the community because they all come together just for this show. It's just amazing to me," says Holt.
If you are looking for a way to get your kids involved with 4-H, and you have a dog, this is a great way to do it.
There are many categories in which dogs and their owners can compete for a champion banner, including showmanship, rally, and interviews. There is even a costume contest for everyone to have some fun. But if you want to take home a championship, Holt says you need to follow the commands.
"Most of the time we follow signs and trust our dog. But in Rally and Showmanship, you have to answer questions and listen to the judge," says Holt.
He says getting Chew ready for the fair starts by "getting him surrounded by dogs and all the noises. Because he goes wild when he sees other dogs."
So, you are looking for a way to get your kids involved with 4-H, and you have a dog, Holt says showing dogs is a great way to do it.
"I think this is a great opening into 4H. It opens a whole new world. You only have to come one day to the fair, really, and you get all the perks of being in 4H. It's not that hard; all you do is walk the dog like everyone does on a morning walk or something like that," adds Holt.
