July 10 will be a canine affair at the Umatilla County Fairgrounds.

The 2010 edition of the Summer Fun Dog Show by the High Desert Handlers 4-H Club, returns FunFest weekend, as local 4-H Club members and adults in the open-class category show their canine friends in showmanship and obedience competitions.

The show will be held in the area between the Hermiston Senior Center and fairgrounds’ office. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the show at 9 a.m. There is a $5 registration fee for all competitors.

“It’s open to all dog breeds, so there’s no requirements,” said Chenoa Van Schoiack, parent volunteer.

That means the public can expect every breed to be on hand from collies to Saint Bernards.

Brenda Knight, High Desert Handlers 4-H Club leader said the competition is a way of providing 4-H dog competition kids another venue to show their dogs before the Umatilla County Fair.

“The dog kids have the hardest work, they’re responsible for their dogs year-round,” Knight said.

Van Schoiack said the obedience and showmanship portions of the show are virtually identical to AKC shows, but with a twist.

“The dogs don’t have to be purebreds for either competition,” she said, adding the shows are also as much about the handler as they are the dog.

Knight said in obedience, the dogs have to follow their handler’s instructions: Heeling when told, walking in sync with their handler, learning recall – going back to their handler – and standing for examination.

“Dogs also have to do exercises called long-sit and long-laying, where they sit or lay for a certain amount of time, before being recalled to their handler,” Knight said. “The more advanced they are, the harder it is – because the dog has to stay in either position longer.”

In the showmanship category, the kids and their dogs have to perform as they would for the AKC’s Junior Showmanship show.

Prizes wil be awarded to the High-Point Obedience category winner (most points scored) and Master Showman.

For more information on the Summer Fun Dog Show, call Knight at 541-564-6320, or Van Schoiack at 541-564-1463.