Perhaps like many of you, my first experience with showing dogs was in field tests. My Silver Standard Poodles, all corded, were waiting for the judge to begin the water fowl retrieval tests and I would happily let them off-leash to dive into the lake or marsh and bring back the “quarry.” Assisting the judge was a “runner” who took the Judge’s scorecard back to a desk for tabulation. Little did I know, that “runner” was the Judge’s steward. Later, when my Basset Hounds experienced hunt trials, and the Judge would check for packing ability, their “voice” and reaction to the gun-firing, I would either be whacking the bushes or yelling “Talley Ho!” when I saw the quarry while, again, this “runner” (Steward) would return to the desk with the Judge’s scorecard. Then came conformation….
As you may know, in an AKC conformation show ring, the Judge actually is assessing “breeding stock.” While all that is going on, however, the Judge requires an able assistant: the Steward. Since I am everything “dog-related” and enjoyed the energy of a dog show, I found stewarding a ring allowed me to participate when I was not actively showing one of my breeds. Over the past fifteen years, I have actively stewarded AKC shows and served as Chief Steward (the ring leader) for several AKC shows, most notably for the past ten years as MSDA’s Chief Steward.
From my many years stewarding dog shows, I have discovered that the Steward is a show’s finest “Ambassador.” Not only must the Steward ensure the Judge and ring are running smoothly, they, unlike any other show staff, have the greatest impact on the Exhibitor’s experience. A Steward is the first person an exhibitor meets prior to showing. The Steward marks them as present and provides them with their armband, calls them into the ring for their breed class and ensures the Judge maintains the schedule and accurately records the wins.
As an exhibitor, I can tell you that the most positive ring experiences have been when a Steward simply greets me, provides me with my armband, wishes me success, and eventually ushers me into the ring. The Steward can make or break a show and their ambassadorial skills set the tone for any exhibitor’s experience during the show.
From a Judge’s perspective, I rely on my Steward to be just that… my ambassador. The Steward maintains the ring’s order, ensures a table or ramp is accessible, pulls the ribbons for the classes, calls in the armband numbers, announces the winning armband numbers in each class, congratulates the winners, etc. They serve as my liaison with exhibitors, handlers and the superintendent. So, you see, stewards are integral to the success of the show. Whether your interest is in conformation, obedience, rally, utility, field or hunt tests, ultimately you have relied upon a steward to ensure you knew what was to come.
I believe I join you in our love of dogs and our enjoyment at seeing them perform in any capacity. Our sport becomes our social outlet, bonding experience and/or avocation. Being a part of it, whether exhibiting, judging or stewarding is truly rewarding. Stewarding, particularly, allows those who may have ended their “showing” years remain an active part of the show. If given a choice, most of us would be spending more time with our dogs or being around dogs, and there is no better way to do that then to participate in a show, especially as a steward.
If you have interest in pursuing stewarding or if you are considering a future judging (there is a stewarding fulfillment requirement to obtain licensure), please contact me at greggkantak@yahoo.com. I would love to have you be an integral part of MSDA’s 2020 Show!
Saturday, May the Fourth
8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Rebel Ridge Farms, Elkton MD
Registration Deadlines:
TODAY, Monday 4/22, if you want to order an event t-shirt Monday 4/29 for all registrations
MSDA’s Annual Field Day — a full day of FUN, bird dog training for all levels, and some very good food — will be Saturday, May 4th at Rebel Ridge Farms in Elkton, MD. Training hours will be 8:30 am – 3:00 pm.
There will be training groups for flushing, pointing, and retrieving breeds; each of these will be explicitly divided into beginning and advanced groups. There also will be opportunities for very experienced handlers to “work on your own”. And we have additional beginner and other educational activities. We want to give everyone the opportunity to stay busy throughout the day. Fees are $10 per handler plus $25 per dog. Guests/observers are free. We also ask that you/your group either bring a potluck dish to share (preferred) or contribute $10 per person toward lunch. MSDA will provide gunners. Birds are included for both introductory and advanced training groups.
Note that, though training is targeted at Sporting Group dogs who are interested in hunting, hunt tests, and field trials, Field Day welcomes all “birdy” dogs. Registrants include the following breeds: Airedale Terrier, Boykin Spaniel, Brittany, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, German Shorthaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Pudelpointer, Sussex Spaniel, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel.
There will be field and water training opportunities throughout the day. MSDA will provide gunners. Birds are included for both introductory and advanced training groups.
Organized Training: Work at introductory through advanced levels with experienced trainers, handlers, and gunners. Group activities and individual attention for you and your dog(s) based on your training goals for the day. Field Day is set up to be attentive to each dog’s experience and training needs, rather than running all dogs through a standard set of drills. We will keep the groups small so that everyone has plenty of training time. Birds will be provided and are included in the per-dog fee for the day. For introductory sessions, if you have your own favorite training bumpers, please bring them with you and make sure they are labeled with your or your dog’s name.
Flushing:
Introductory: Demonstrations, individual and group activities to work on quartering, flushing, and basic retrieving skills. Land and water work. Dogs who are ready may be introduced to gunfire. For example, with a beginner dog, we may start out allowing the dog to chase down a bird (usually a quail for the smaller dogs). Once the prey drive has been ramped up, the next step would be to flush a pigeon with a starter pistol fired in the background. If there is no reaction to the noise of the starter pistol, the third bird would be a flushed chukar which the gunner would shoot, if possible. The Intro Flushing group will be led by a team headed by Steve Roth. Steve is an AKC hunt test judge, and is an experienced handler and amateur trainer who has worked with many sporting dog breeds.
Advanced: For dogs with at least a semi-reliable recall and exposure to live fire. Field work similar to AKC hunt tests. Find, flush, and retrieve birds. Also practice marked and blind retrieves, with water work at an adjacent pond. Trainers will help the handler evaluate their dog and offer suggestions for training methods and techniques. For example, while one trainer/handler/dog team is out in the field, a second trainer can be getting to know the next dog and handler. Time permitting, handlers will be able to work with both trainers to get different perspectives. The Advanced Flushing group will be led by John Bruggeman and Bill Pierson. John and Bill are both widely known in the sporting dog field community and are both approved by the AKC to judge both Spaniel Hunt Tests and Spaniel Field Trials.
Pointing:
Introductory: No live fire. Heeling, quartering, and bird work drills. All dogs will participate as a group in each drill on a check cord (long rope attached to your dog). Will have the opportunity to also have an introduction to backing as participants in these drills. If interested, your dog can be introduced to a cap gun. We encourage those in the Intro Group to also watch the Advanced Group.
Advanced: For dogs with a reliable recall and exposure to live fire. Backing dog will be available and birds will be in launchers. A cap gun or live fire will be used. Dogs can run in braces and practice retrieving. We encourage those in the Advanced Group to assist/mentor those in the Intro Group.
Retrieving:.
Introductory: We will have individual and group exercises with bumpers and live birds. We can work on basic retrieving skills, learn what basic obedience skills are needed, and introduce dogs to land and water marks. Can introduce gunfire to those who feel their dog is ready. All dogs without a reliable recall are required to work on a longline or checkline attached to the dog’s collar. The Intro retrieving group will be led by Gary Seibel, an experienced hunter and handler.
Advanced: For dogs with exposure to dead or live birds and at least basic land/water retrieving skills. Land and water exercises may be done with and without gunfire. No live flyers, however, without prior permission from trainers and gunners. Advanced dogs may focus on single, double and triple retrieves, blind retrieves and honors. If there is time, can also accommodate those looking to practice special skills such as tolling. Advanced dogs should arrive at the field with a plan and their training goals for the day. More experienced handlers also are expected to share their expertise with the intro handlers and dogs.
Work Entirely On Your Own: Experienced handlers only. All sporting dog breeds. There will be a designated field area and pond for those not needing training assistance or gunning. Peer-to-peer training opportunities within your group, using thrown or planted bumpers and birds. No live fire. Bring your own birds. Work-on-your-own attendees do not pay the per-dog fee.
Lastly, Field Day is a group event. Everyone will have time in the field and individual trainers’ attention, of course. But, one of the main benefits of training with a group is the opportunity to observe other handlers work their dogs. We also hope that attendees will help out with training (maybe by working in teams, planting birds, etc.), make new friends, identify future training opportunities, and consider a new dog club membership. The Field Day registration form asks for your interests in particular activities, but you are welcome to move between the sessions to get the most out of your day.
Other Activities:
Come to Field Day and leave with an actual AKC title! Okay, not a “Junior Hunter”, but we will be offering CGC (Canine Good Citizen) testing. Karen Cottingham will conduct CGC and CGC-Advanced evaluations. The fee is $10 (cash, or check to “MSDA”), payable at Field Day.
Sally Eck, an experienced handler, will provide information about using e-collars for field training. This will be introductory information along with some suggestions for next steps and where/how to learn much more. (This is not a clinic and will not include training your dog in the field using a collar. However, if you are already utilizing an e-collar in your field work, you are welcome to use it at Field Day.)
Safe Gunning: We will be showing AKC’s video on safe gunning practices for flushing, pointing, and retrieving hunt tests and field trials. Field Day’s expert gunners will be available to answer questions and provide advice to those who might be interested in gunning at events. This information also is helpful to handlers for knowing how to manage your dog in the field, understanding why a gunner “didn’t take that shot”, and for safe gun handling when you are required to carry a gun during an event.
Raffle! Several useful field training items will be raffled. Prizes are:
Each registered participant, guest, and volunteer will receive two raffle tickets when they pick up their name tag. Additional tickets will be available for purchase on site for $1 each. Winning tickets will be drawn during lunchtime; prizes must be collected by the end of the training day.
Fees:
$10 per handler. Guests/observers are free. Kids are welcome as handlers and guests.
PLUS $25 per dog for those participating in the organized training. Birds are included.
Participants also are asked to bring a potluck dish to share (preferred), or to contribute $10 per person.
Payment may be made by mailing a check or by submitting your credit card information to a secure online site. (We’re using Square.) Payment must be received no later than April 29th. If you’re ordering a t-shirt, payment must be received by April 22nd.
Event T-Shirts:
We can’t resist… we’ve designed custom t-shirts that will be for sale this year. May the Fourth be with you! (Huh? It’s a Star Wars reference.)
Field Day t-shirts feature white printing, front and back, on a Gildan cotton/poly blend “safety orange” short-sleeve shirt. Click on the images above for a larger view of the design. Shirts are available in adult sizes only. Prices are $20 each for Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large; $22.50 for 2XL, $23.50 for 3XL, and $24.50 for 4XL. If you’re ordering a t-shirt, your payment by check or credit card must be received by April 22nd to give us time to place our custom printing order. T-shirt ordering is included on the Field Day registration form.
Other Important Information:
This event will be held rain or shine! There will be no refunds after April 29th, except for dogs who are injured/sick or (bitches) in season. A veterinarian’s note may be required for late cancellations.
For safety reasons, blaze orange clothing (not just a hat) is strongly recommended for all participants and guests, and is required in fields with live fire. Field Day T-Shirts may be ordered when you register.
It’s important to bring shade for your dog to rest and plenty of cold water to drink in the field. The perimeter of the property is forested and there is intermittent shade along the edges of fields and in the parking areas near the clubhouse. However, many cars (and people and dogs) will be spending time in unshaded areas. Dogs are not permitted in the clubhouse.
Everyone (trainers, gunners, handlers, guests, adults, kids) must have a signed liability release on file with MSDA before proceeding onto the property. In case you haven’t signed one in the last couple of years, we’ll send it with your registration confirmation. They’ll also be available at the Field Day registration table.
If you have questions about whether your dog is ready for these activities, what to sign up for, what to bring, how to help, or any other issue please contact:
If you would like to volunteer on the day of the event, please contact one of the committee members listed above. Trainers, gunners, and committee members receive free admission and birds for their own dogs’ field work, as well as access to the fields outside of general training hours. Handler fees may be waived for other volunteers.
You do not have to be an MSDA member to participate in Field Day. But, if you are interested, learn more about us, how to join the club, and sign up for our e-mail list.
View our full calendar of upcoming and recent activities.
Join the conversation! MSDA has a (private) Facebook group.
Saturday May 4th, 2019
8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Rebel Ridge Farms in Elkton, MD
Help us plan for Field Day by registering below. You do not have to be a member of MSDA to participate in Field Day!
A lot of information about the event, the location, and planned activities is available here, and the following Field Day committee members also will be happy to answer your questions.
MSDA held Sporting Dog Instinct Clinics on Friday March 1st and Saturday March 2nd during the MSDA Spring Weekend at the Howard County Fairgrounds (2210 Fairgrounds Rd, West Friendship, MD 21794). For a bird dog with little or no field experience, this is a great way to get started.
This is a fun, relaxed, and encouraging activity. The clinic includes a brief introductory discussion followed by individual work with each dog and handler. Trainers get the dogs excited about the birds, and then the dogs are able to scent a bird and find a bird, triggering their basic hunting instincts. Clinics are run by AKC hunt test judges and experienced handlers for flushing, pointing, and retrieving breeds. There is lots of fun, and great information, too!
It was chilly for our first day of clinics on Friday, but we were able to protect a section of the field from snow the night before, and the dogs didn’t seem to mind the weather at all. Saturday was warmer. Altogether, we ran 52 dogs in five clinic sessions. Here are some pictures, and one video (on YouTube), from the 2019 sessions.
Instinct Clinic also is a wonderful stepping stone for you and your dog to get involved with training for your parent club’s WD or WC program or the AKC Hunt Test programs, or to simply see how much fun you can have when your dog gets turned on to birds!!
Participating breeds this year included the following: Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Irish Red and White Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Pointer, Spinone Italiano, Sussex Spaniel, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
Live birds are used. There is no gunfire. (Flushed birds fly away.)
For more information, photos, and videos, see our Instinct Clinic pages for 2018 and 2017. Questions? Please contact Steve Roth.
And, if you and your dog had fun at the Instinct Clinic, join us for our May 4, 2019 Field Day for an introduction to field training your bird dog.
MSDA’s Spring Sporting Group Dog Shows and All-Breed Obedience & Rally Trials were Friday March 1 – Sunday March 3, 2019.
Once again, the weekend included three days of AKC-licensed events at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD. In addition to conformation, obedience, rally, and specialty events sponsored by other dog clubs, we held a third year of just-for-fun Instinct Clinics to introduce sporting dogs to field work. THANK-YOU participants, judges, stewards, and all volunteers!
Mark your calendar for next year’s event, Friday February 28 – Sunday March 1, 2020.
Volunteers make this weekend possible! As of 2018, we run two of the largest Sporting Group dog shows in the U.S. And, we’re so much more than a dog show — there’s conformation, obedience, rally events and also instinct clinic, educational, and some just-for-fun activities. As we have grown, we are finding that we are understaffed — too few hard core volunteers are doing too much work. Did you earn points, ribbons, trophies at our event? Maybe you just had a great time and made some friends, or your dog was introduced to their first bird. Before you forget that good feeling, we hope you will plan to come back and also volunteer to help out in 2020. Show dates are 2/28-3/1/2020. Even an hour or two setting up, refreshing coolers at steward tables, handing out trophies, taking candid photos, or selling catalogs is extremely helpful. More significant commitments to stewarding and assisting with planning and committees are also needed and will be enthusiastically welcomed. Whether you have decades of experience or you are new to the sport or to the DelMarVa region, jump right in — this is a great way to make some new friends. Don’t wait! Get your name on the 2020 volunteer list now by contacting our event coordinator Richard Jackson.
There now are lots of pictures available!
The Baltimore Sun sent a reporter/photographer, Phil Grout, to the show on Saturday and he really captured the spirit of the weekend with a few great photos of conformation and instinct clinic.
Some of our own snapshots of conformation, obedience, and rally are below. (Instinct Clinic photos are on a separate page.)
Finally, proofs for all official win photos may be viewed at https://davidsombachphotos.com/. Scroll down his page to “PHOTO GALLERIES” and click on “Official Win Photos”. Then click on the box for Maryland Sporting Dog Association. An email address is required to view the proofs.
Some results are shown below the photos on this page, and official AKC results are now available. Entry details and placements, by dog, are at Jim Rau Dog Shows.
We are eager to continue to improve our Spring Event. If you have any comments or suggestions, or just have follow-up questions, please contact our event coordinator Richard Jackson.
Rally, Highest Triple Score in ADVB/EXCB/MASTER:
MACH PACH RACH2 Mrl N Dfl Whatever It Takes CD RM4 RAE11 MXB MJS MXP3 MXPB MJP4 MJPB PAX OF T2B
Cocker Spaniel
M Lindquist
Rally, Highest Combined Score in ADVB/EXCB:
MACH Gayhearts Let The Good Thymes Rol Bt CD PCDX BN GN RM2 RAE4 HT MXS MJS T2B
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
A Pribyl
Best in Sporting Group :
Sporting Judge Ms. Maureen Day
#1-
Dog Reg: GCH Foxwoods Ivywood All Hallows Eve [Bitch]
Breed: Spaniel (English Cocker)
Handler: Kristin Lyons
Owner: K Lyons & D Mauterer
Breeder: K Lyons & D Mauterer
#2-
Dog Reg: GCHB Sevenoaks Lady Penelope [Bitch]
Breed: Setter (English)
Handler: Katie Bernardin
Owner: S Nordstrom
Breeder: Hilary Oakes, William Potts & Sabrina Oakes
#3-
Dog Reg: GCHS Nani Breica N Crosswinds Aloha [Dog]
Breed: Weimaraner
Handler: Derek Beatty
Owner: D Beatty, S Burns, C Grisell, J Mendez Cervera & A Stewart
Breeder: Jessica & Brenda Doub
#4-
Dog Reg: GCHG Evergreen Set Fire To The Rain [Bitch]
Breed: Setter (Irish)
Handler: Mary Merlo
Owner: M Merlo
Breeder: Mary Merlo
Best Junior Handler: Abigail Van Meter, Cocker Spaniel Parti
Reserve Best Junior Handler: Erin Bernecker, Pointer
Obedience, Highest Scoring Dog in Regular Classes:
Open B, OTCH Rhumbline’s Once In A Blue Moon UDX9 OGM BN GN VER RE JH ACT1 SCN SIN SBN CGC TKI
Labrador Retriever
L Brennan
Obedience, Highest Combined Score in OB and UA/UB:
OTCH Rhumbline’s Once In A Blue Moon UDX9 OGM BN GN VER RE JH ACT1 SCN SIN SBN CGC TKI
Labrador Retriever
L Brennan
Rally, Highest Triple Score in ADVB/EXCB/MASTER:
MACH PACH RACH2 Mrl N Dfl Whatever It Takes CD RM5 RAE11 MXB MJS MXP3 MXPB MJP4 MJPB PAX OF T2B
Cocker Spaniel
M Lindquist
Rally, Highest Combined Score in ADVB/EXCB:
MACH PACH RACH2 Mrl N Dfl Whatever It Takes CD RM5 RAE11 MXB MJS MXP3 MXPB MJP4 MJPB PAX OF T2B
Cocker Spaniel
M Lindquist
Best in Sporting Group:
Sporting Judge Mrs. Cindy Lane
#1-
Dog Reg: GCHG Evergreen Set Fire To The Rain [Bitch]
Breed: Setter (Irish)
Handler: Mary Merlo
Owner: M Merlo
Breeder: Mary Merlo
#2-
Dog Reg: GCHS Nani Breica N Crosswinds Aloha [Dog]
Breed: Weimaraner
Handler: Derek Beatty
Owner: D Beatty, S Burns, C Grisell, J Mendez Cervera & A Stewart
Breeder: Jessica & Brenda Doub
#3-
Dog Reg: GCHB Foleys Frat Party [Dog]
Breed: Spaniel (Cocker) ASCOB
Handler: Lisa Arnett
Owner: N Foley
Breeder: Genea Jones & Nancy Foley
#4-
Dog Reg: GCHB Sevenoaks Lady Penelope [Bitch]
Breed: Setter (English)
Handler: Katie Bernardin
Owner: S Nordstrom
Breeder: Hilary Oakes, William Potts & Sabrina Oakes
Best Junior Handler: Abigail Van Meter, Cocker Spaniel Parti
Reserve Best Junior Handler: Ashley Dornak, Pointer
Obedience, Highest Scoring Dog in Regular Classes:
Open B, Quarry Run’s Worth The Wait UD OM1 RE SH CGC TKN
Labrador Retriever
D ROMANCZAK
Obedience, Highest Combined Score in OB and UA/UB:
Victory’s Ketch’N A Storm UD BN JH
Flat-Coated Retriever
D Orth/J Gladson
Rally, Highest Triple Score in ADVB/EXCB/MASTER
Old Lyme’s Canadian Yukon Timberwolf UD BN GN GO RM2 RAE2 JH DS CGCA CGCU TKA
Golden Retriever
N Herzner/L Crawford
Rally, Highest Combined Score in ADVB/EXCB
RACH Canobie Lake Miss Tilly CDX BN RM3 RAE5 FDC ACT1 CGC
Australian Shepherd
L Zagnit
The public was welcomed at this event and we were pleased to meet so many who came to check out the breeds, make contacts in the sport, and learn more about our club.
Many other dog clubs also participated in the weekend through specialties and supported entries. The Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club held an all-day specialty conformation event with obedience and rally trials that attracted over 100 Golden Retrievers on Friday. The Irish Water Spaniel Club of America had a Specialty on Saturday. If your club would like to have a Specialty at our 2020 show, please contact our event coordinator Richard Jackson.
Clubs with supported entries were: American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association, Capital City Cocker Club, Capital Region Flat-Coated Retriever Club, English Cocker Spaniel Club of America, Flat Coated Retriever Society of America, Irish Setter Club of Greater Richmond, Irish Water Spaniel Club of America, Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac, Lower Susquehanna Irish Setter Club, Maryland Brittany Club, Mid-Atlantic Field Spaniel Club of America, National Capital English Setter Club, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club – USA, Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club, Susquehanna Valley English Springer Spaniel Club, Sussex Spaniel Club of America, and Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America.
On-site veterinary care was available from Seibel Veterinary Services. Their mobile clinic van was parked near the Main Hall throughout the weekend.
** See you next year! Mark your calendars for Sept 14-15, 2019! **
MSDA’s 2018 AKC-licensed Spaniel Hunting Tests were Saturday September 15 & Sunday September 16 at Rebel Ridge Farms in Elkton, MD. We ran Junior, Senior, and Master Hunter stakes both days, as well as Working Dog certificate testing on Saturday. (See more info below.) Not just for spaniels, the hunting tests are open to all eligible flushing breeds.* Also on Saturday, there was optional Canine Good Citizen evaluations available. (See more info below.)
We ran 26 dogs on Saturday and 23 dogs on Sunday, fairly evenly divided among Junior, Senior, and Master levels. Seventeen dogs earned qualifying scores each day and many had completed titles by the end of the weekend. Dogs also earned WD, WDX, and CGC titles. The following ten breeds were represented: Airedale Terrier, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, and Standard Poodle.
Something different this year: we provided all participants the opportunity to be judged in all the elements of their test, rather than using “call backs” that reduce the number of dogs participating as the test proceeds each day. (AKC Regulations state that, “if a dog fails to qualify in a particular ability, it is important to score as accurately as possible in all other abilities to provide the handler with information to plan future training.”) It seemed to work well, and we will consider doing this again. The elements of the AKC spaniel hunting tests, by level, are:
Junior Hunter: Land work, Marked water retrieve
Senior Hunter: Land work, Hunt dead, Marked water retrieve
Master Hunter: Land work, Hunt dead, Blind water retrieve, Marked water retrieve
Some pictures are posted below. If you have some photos to share, please e-mail webmaster@mdsportingdog.org .
Before there were AKC Hunt Tests, MSDA held the first Working Dog Test for English Cocker Spaniels in 1977. In keeping with that tradition, we once again offered our annual Working Dog Tests, in association with our AKC Spaniel Hunt Test, on Saturday, September 15th. Dogs did not have to be entered in the Spaniel Hunting Tests to participate in Working Dog Tests, though we offer a discounted entry fee to dogs signed up for both Junior Hunter and WD since those can be judged simultaneously.
The AKC’s Canine Good Citizen program is the gold standard of behavior for dogs in our communities. Almost one million dogs have participated in the program since it began in 1989. The heart of the CGC program is the 10-step Canine Good Citizen test. At MSDA’s hunt test weekend, a CGC evaluator was available most of the day Saturday.
*Eligible for AKC Spaniel Hunting Tests: Airedale Terrier, American Water Spaniel, Boykin Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Miniature Poodle, Standard Poodle, Sussex Spaniel, Welsh Springer Spaniel. Dogs of these breeds recorded with the Purebred Alternative Listing Program/Indefinite Listing Privilege (PAL/ILP) or dogs with Conditional registration are eligible to participate. Spayed and neutered dogs are eligible to participate. Bitches in season are not eligible to participate, nor are they allowed on the grounds. Dogs with Limited Registration are eligible to participate.
A big thank-you to all who came out to work with their dogs (and to all of you who brought all..those..desserts, as well as the other great food for the potluck lunch). A special thanks to the volunteers who made the day so successful and to Rebel Ridge Farms for having us out to their beautiful property and for somehow conjuring up a gorgeous weather day.
There were field and water training opportunities throughout the day, with many simultaneous activities. There were organized training groups for introductory and advanced levels of flushing, pointing and retrieving breeds, as well as plenty of work-on-your-own areas for advanced handlers. We counted 59 people and 55 dogs in attendance. Some were just getting started and received a warm welcome to the sport as well as ideas for future training opportunities. Others worked on specific issues or just had plenty of time for dogs to run in big fields and swim in different ponds. (A couple humans waded in, too, in the name of training.) New friends were made and both dogs and people had a lot of fun. Many made a point of returning their name badges at the end of the day and saying, “keep it for next year because I’ll be back”.
Look who came! The following breeds are among those who came to Field Day: Brittany, Clumber Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Llewellin Setter, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Sussex Spaniel, Vizsla, Weimaraner, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
For even more pictures from 2017 Field Days, go here and here. (The second link includes an Outdoors Delmarva video about our event.)
See also our page for our 2019 event including conformation, obedience, rally, instinct clinics, and more. And, mark your calendar for February 28-March 1, 2020.
MSDA Spring Sporting Group Dog Shows and All-Breed Obedience & Rally Trials: three days of AKC-licensed events at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD. Conformation events included more than 30 sporting breeds. All obedience and conformation events were indoors. In addition, there were just-for-fun “Instinct Clinic” sessions held outdoors to introduce sporting dogs to field activities. THANK-YOU exhibitors, judges, stewards, and all volunteers!
Snapshots from the event are below. Also, proofs for all official win photos may be viewed at https://davidsombachphotos.com/. Scroll down the page to “PHOTO GALLERIES” and click on “Official Win Photos”. Then click on the box for Maryland Sporting Dog Association. An email address is required to view photos.
Some MSDA conformation winners are listed below the photos on this page. Full detailed results also are now available and posted at Jim Rau Dog Shows.
We are eager to continue to improve our show weekend. If you have any comments or suggestions, or just have follow-up questions, please contact Richard Jackson, ShowChair@mdsportingdog.org.
Some show results follow. Congratulations to all winners and to everyone who entered.
Show Date: Saturday, March 3, 2018
Total Entry: 690
Sporting Judge’s Name: Mr. Gordon William Hayburn
#1-
Dog Reg: GCHB Kamands Full Of Beans @ Erinhill [Dog]
Breed: Spaniel (Sussex)
Handler: Per Ingar Rismyhr
Owner: K & A Toner
Breeder: Karen Ann & Amanda Toner
#2-
Dog Reg: GCH Evergreen Set Fire To The Rain [Bitch]
Breed: Setter (Irish)
Handler: Mary Merlo
Owner: M Merlo
Breeder: Mary Merlo
#3-
Dog Reg: GCHB Legacyk Naughty By Nature SH CGC [Dog]
Breed: Pointer (German Shorthaired)
Handler: Michelle Smith Wolcott
Owner: K Gelder
Breeder: Nancibeth Koutstaal & Sherri Griswold
#4-
Dog Reg: GCHG Random Legacy Dylan Du Revention [Dog]
Breed: Spaniel (English Springer)
Handler: Kellie Fitzgerald
Owner: R & S Mockoviak & K Fitzgerald
Breeder: David Rand & Jason Douglass
Show Date: Sunday, March 4, 2018
Total Entry: 652
Sporting Judge’s Name: Mr. Jamie Hubbard
#1-
Dog Reg: GCHB Kamands Full Of Beans @ Erinhill [Dog]
Breed: Spaniel (Sussex)
Handler: Per Ingar Rismyhr
Owner: K & A Toner
Breeder: Karen Ann & Amanda Toner
#2-
Dog Reg: GCH Evergreen Set Fire To The Rain [Bitch]
Breed: Setter (Irish)
Handler: Mary Merlo
Owner: M Merlo
Breeder: Mary Merlo
#3-
Dog Reg: GCHB Rolyart’s Crocodile Rock [Bitch]
Breed: Welsh Springer Spaniel
Handler:
Owner: S. Traylor & C. Ford
Breeder: Owners and D. Brewer
#4-
Dog Reg: GCHG Random Legacy Dylan Du Revention [Dog]
Breed: Spaniel (English Springer)
Handler: Kellie Fitzgerald
Owner: R & S Mockoviak & K Fitzgerald
Breeder: David Rand & Jason Douglass
Saturday Best Owner Handled Dog
Golden Ret.
GCHB. Hillock’s Jack Daniels, JH, RA, RATN, WCX, CGC
Owner: T.H. Tomlinson, J. Cohen, R. Samios
Saturday Best Puppy
Pointer
Wynot HH Wired For Sound
Owner: K.B. Shorter
Sunday Best Owner Handled Dog
Golden Ret.
GCHB. Charms Causin’ Commotion, CGC, RN, BN, THDN
Owner: A. Alsante, V. A. Boyle, J. Boyle-Grant
Sunday Best Bred By Exhibitor
Irish Setter
Carillon Taking The Long Way Round
Owner: C.R. Hills
The MSDA dog shows are “unbenched”as are nearly all other U.S. dog shows. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (New York City) and The National Dog Show (Philadelphia) are two benched shows. At a benched show, entered dogs are required to remain on-site throughout the show hours and be available in designated areas (“on benches”) unless they are in the show ring or taking a necessary break. Benched shows provide a great opportunity for spectators to meet and interact with many dogs and their owners.
At unbenched shows, the dogs and owners/handlers are not required to stay once their judging is completed. However, even at an unbenched show, all the dogs don’t immediately run from the ring and head directly home. If you are interested in getting acquainted with different breeds, a dog show is a wonderful place to start. Do some breed research ahead of time, then check the published schedule for judging times for the breeds that interest you. Although owners and handlers will be busy preparing dogs for judging before their judging time, you can view the dogs in the show ring and then afterwards have a chance to ask questions and make friends with owners, handlers and the dogs themselves. Show dogs are, not surprisingly, very friendly and love attention. Similarly, owners, handlers and spectators know their breed very well and usually are happy to share their knowledge.
MSDA conducted its second set of Instinct Clinics with sessions on Friday March 2nd (which unfortunately were cancelled due to high winds), and Saturday March 3rd during the MSDA Sporting Group Dog Show at the Howard County Fairgrounds (2210 Fairgrounds Rd, West Friendship, MD 21794). For a sporting breed dog with little or no field experience, this is a great way to get started. Dogs were able to scent a bird and find a bird, triggering their basic hunting instincts. (There will again be Instinct Clinics at the 2019 Spring Weekend.)
This is a fun, relaxed, and encouraging activity. The clinic includes a brief introductory discussion followed by individual work with each dog and handler. Clinics are run by AKC hunt test judges and experienced handlers for flushing, pointing, and retrieving breeds. There is lots of fun, and great information too!
The clinic was held outdoors on the show site in a designated field near the main show hall. Live birds were used. There was no gunfire. (Flushed birds fly away.)
Instinct Clinics are a wonderful stepping stone for you and your dog to get involved with training for your parent club’s WD/WC program or the AKC Hunt Test program, or to simply see how much fun you can have when your dog gets turned on to birds!! Here are some of the breeds that signed up: Brittany, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Irish Red & White Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Spinone Italiano, Sussex Spaniel, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
MSDA held Sporting Dog Instinct Clinics on Friday March 1st and Saturday March 2nd during the 
