Holmes County Fair Dog Show a good experience for kids and K9

Kevin Lynch, The Daily Record
·2 min read
Emily Manges guides her dog, Ollie, through a hoop in the agilities competition at the fair Dog Show.
Emily Manges guides her dog, Ollie, through a hoop in the agilities competition at the fair Dog Show.

MILLERSBURG — An expanded dog show, designed to go beyond displaying obedience, is becoming a big hit at the Holmes County Fair.

There were 10 category champions, including senior, intermediate and junior showmanship, Rally A & B and Agility in Monday's show.

What used to be a judging of obedience now measures the dogs agility and features a rally competition, where the handler moves through the course with the dog.

Cylie Couch and her dog, George, compete in the dog obedience class Monday at the Holmes County Fair.
Cylie Couch and her dog, George, compete in the dog obedience class Monday at the Holmes County Fair.

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Expanding the program en route to enhanced technical skills

Sarah Miller is a volunteer helper with the dog committee. When the Variegated Clovers 4-H Club disbanded a few years ago, she volunteered to help out with the dog show committee, which is under the guidance of Melissa Boughman.

"Since we're at the beginning of the rally and agility, we don't expect the competitors to be technically perfect, as if it were a regular agility or rally course," Miller said. "Because we're just introducing these competitions to the kids, we want to give them a variety of things to do with their dogs, aside from obedience."

She said during training, they had the opportunity to earn Canine Good Citizens awards from AKC.

A great learning experience

Barrett Snyder is an 11-year-old who entered his Rottweiler in the agility competition. The dog was almost as big as the contestant.

"It was really fun, letting her do the different obstacles and seeing how she did with the different commands," Snyder said. "It was really fun, and I thin kshe enjoyed it, too. It was a good experience."

Miller noted many of the children made great strides from the beginning of their training to their appearance at the fair.

"So many of these kids improved tremendously," she said. "It was amazing from the beginning of the class to the showtime, how well they improved."

Miller noted the judge came from Medina a few years ago to demonstrate rally and agility for the kids, and this year the participants were treated to a visit from a therapy group for dogs.

Caleb White and his dog, Nala, maneuver around human post Becka Schuch during the Dog Show at the Holmes County Fair.
Caleb White and his dog, Nala, maneuver around human post Becka Schuch during the Dog Show at the Holmes County Fair.

Showmanship winners

In showmanship Monday, Jaime Compton won senior grand champion, Aubree Haas won intermediate grand champion and Kadence Miller won junior champion. Compton also was named Supreme Showman. Kadence Miller won Novice A and Caleb White won Novice B.

Emily Manges won the grand champion for the Rally A and Aubree Haas won grand champion for Rally B. Manges won the agility grand champion.

Reach Kevin Lynch at klynch@the-daily-record.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Kids and K9s: Dog show grows in competition, popularity at Holmes Fair