Author: MSDA News

MSDA will hold 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!

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 onto birds!!

There will be a total of four identical clinics, at 9:30 am and 1:00 pm on both Friday 3/1 and Saturday 3/2. Online registration will be available right here on this website starting January 1st. You also can sign up at the MSDA Information Desk in the main building at the Spring Weekend Event. Your dog does not have to be entered in any other dog show events to participate in the Instinct Clinic. The clinic fee is $20 per dog. The number of registrations for each session is limited to ensure that each dog gets plenty of attention.

The Instinct Clinic is the only MSDA Spring Weekend event to be held outside, so please dress for outdoor fun!

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.

Planning is well underway! MSDA Spring Sporting Group Dog Shows and All-Breed Obedience & Rally Trials will be Friday March 1 – Sunday March 3, 2019. Registration for most events will be via Jim Rau Dog Shows and will open January 1st.

Once again, the weekend will include 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’re also planning a third year of instinct clinics for field work and we may include additional activities as well. More events will be listed as our plans progress and AKC posts official information. Here’s what we have on the schedule so far…

Friday, March 1st:

• MSDA All-Breed Obedience and Rally Trials.
• Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club Specialty, and Obedience and Rally Trials.
• MSDA Sporting Dog Instinct Clinics

Saturday, March 2nd:

• MSDA Sporting Dog Conformation Show and All-Breed Obedience and Rally Trials.
• MSDA Sporting Dog Instinct Clinics.
• Irish Water Spaniel Designated Specialty & Sweepstakes
• Sweepstakes for: English Setters, Flat-Coated Retrievers, Welsh Springer Spaniels
• MSDA Annual Membership Meeting (after best-in-show).

Sunday, March 3rd:

• MSDA Sporting Dog Conformation Show and All-Breed Obedience and Rally Trials.

More information will be coming soon, but meanwhile…

Our Event Chair, Richard Jackson, is still welcoming volunteers to join the Committee, which will be an exciting mix of experienced members and new people with fresh ideas. You do not need to be an MSDA member to be involved. Please contact Richard if you might be willing to participate in any capacity.

Also, contact Richard if your club or other organization is interested in being a sponsor, providing an educational activity, or reserving a vendor space for the weekend.

Check out photos and some results from the 2018 event. And, you can learn more about MSDA and stay informed of future events by signing up for our e-mail list.

** 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.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Steve Roth,  HuntingChair@mdsportingdog.org .

*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.

MSDA’s 2018 Summer Field Day
was Saturday June 16th 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Rebel Ridge Farms, Elkton MD

Introductory through advanced training opportunities for flushing, pointing, and retrieving sporting dogs.

We had a great time and learned a lot! Some pictures are posted below and others have been shared via our Facebook group. If you have photos you would like to share on this website, or have questions or comments about Field Day, please contact Pamela DeSmidt – Field Days Chair.

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.

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!

Mark your calendar – MSDA’s next show weekend will be Friday March 1 – Sunday March 3, 2019 and we expect to be back at Howard County Fairgrounds. We’re already looking forward to it!

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

Learn more about us and future events by signing up for our e-mail list.

Um, no, that’s not what we meant.

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.

A Washington Post gallery of photos from the March 2017 Crufts dog show in Birmingham, England includes many photos of dogs on their “benches”. Also, a couple pictures (especially #33) of humans sharing that space.

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 and handlers know their breed very well and usually are happy to share their knowledge.

Here are some resources to get you started:

MSDA list of sporting dog breeds

AKC information for all recognized breeds

Search for upcoming AKC dog shows and other events

 

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.

Presented by AKC Field Representative Tom Meyer
and hosted by the Maryland Sporting Dog Association

Sunday, February 18th 2018
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Mason Dixon Hunting Farm, Inc.
5112 Hildebrand Road, Glen Rock PA 17327
$45 fee included light breakfast and lunch

The Hunt Test Seminar was held in conjunction with a Grouse Trial sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Hunting Spaniel Club on Saturday, February 17th.

The Hunt Test Seminar was designed to review and explain the regulations and guidelines for the AKC Spaniel Hunt Test program. 24 seminar participants improved their understanding of the performance requirements and standards as well as additional AKC policies. The program was presented using multimedia demonstrations, lecture and group discussions. All presentations were indoors. Attendance at the seminar was recommended for anyone interested in learning about the program as well as newcomers already participating in the program. In addition, all AKC judges are required to attend once every five years to maintain active status. This seminar was for humans only (no dogs).

The American Kennel Club’s Spaniel Hunt Test program is open to seventeen breeds of dogs (Airedale Terriers, American Water Spaniels, Boykin Spaniels, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Clumber Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Curly-Coated Retrievers, English Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, Field Spaniels, Flat-Coated Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Sussex Spaniels, Poodles – Standard and Miniature, and Welsh Springer Spaniels). These breeds are used to find, flush, and retrieve upland game birds. The Spaniel Hunt Test program is designed to give owners of these breeds an opportunity to train and evaluate their dogs against three levels of non-competitive performance.

For questions or follow-up, please contact Steve Roth.

MSDA’s 2017 Crab Feast was Sunday October 8 at the South Carroll Swim Club, 1900 West Liberty Road, Westminster, MD 21157

This annual event is only for MSDA members and their guests. Crab Feast is the event where we honor our volunteers who have worked particularly hard during the past year. Members who have worked a full day as a volunteer at an MSDA event within the past 12 months eat for FREE! For all others, lunch was still only $10 per person. MSDA provided steamed crabs, grilled burgers & hot dogs, side dishes, and (non-alcoholic) beverages.

Maryland Sporting Dog Association participated in the 11th Annual Maryland celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The event was Saturday 9/23/2017 at Izaak Walton League of America in Clear Spring MD.

Though the event’s attendance was somewhat smaller than in previous years, MSDA had a large display including photos and videos of MSDA dogs and events, and general information about sporting dogs and the club. We had good conversations with attendees about their dogs, potential field activities, training needs, and one of our member’s upland hunting trip with veterans in collaboration with the Wounded Warrior Project.

Other Hunting and Fishing Day activities included archery, fly/spin casting practice (on the lawn), rifle, trap, and BB gun shooting, and displays by state government, private businesses, and conservation groups.