Author: MSDA News

Working Dog (WD, WDX) Certificate Test
Open to all AKC Flushing Spaniel Breeds
(subject to parent club approval)

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 are once again offering Working Dog Tests, in association with our AKC Spaniel Hunt Test, on Saturday, September 15th.  You do 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. So far we have received permission for WD testing from three parent clubs:  the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America, the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association, and the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America. Application has also been made to the Clumber Spaniel Club of America and the American Spaniel Club. If you are interested in working dog tests for other breeds, please complete the entry form below or contact Steve Roth ASAP since approval to hold these tests must be obtained from each breed club.

WHERE: Rebel Ridge Farms, Inc., 295 Woods Road, Elkton, MD 21921
WHEN: Saturday, 15 September 2018
Dogs entered in both the AKC Hunt Test and the WD test must be ready to start at 8:00am. Dogs entered only in the WD Test will be run at the conclusion of the Junior Hunter land series.
WD JUDGES:
Deborah Kirk, AKC Judge’s Number: 92300
Marybeth Piedrafite, AKC Judge’s Number: Z7902
PRE-ENTRY: Pre-entry is required for the working dog certificate test, and must be received by Wednesday, September 12th, 2018 so we know how many birds to order. The fee is $15 per dog if entered also in the Junior Hunt Test or $35 per dog if only entered in the WD Test. Entry limit for WD only will be ten (10)) dogs. Chukars will be used. Entry fee will be collected the day of the event. (Make checks payable to “MSDA”).
For more information, contact Steve Roth.
This event will be held rain or shine.
All AKC Safety and Misconduct guidelines will be in effect during the conduct of this Test. Please check with your parent club for WD test requirements and judging guidelines.
To enter, fill out the information below and click “submit”. All fields are required.

After submitting your entry information, you should get a confirmation email. If you don’t, please contact Steve Roth to be sure your registration was completed. (Usually, a missing confirmation email is just caught in a spam filter somewhere.)

MSDA’s next AKC-licensed Spaniel Hunting Tests will be Saturday September 15 & Sunday September 16 in Elkton MD. Junior, Senior, and Master Hunter stakes will be available. We also offer Working Dog certificate testing on Saturday. (See more info below.) Not just for spaniels, the hunting tests are open to all eligible flushing breeds.*

The AKC has approved our events and judging panels, and you can download the official Premium List and Fillable Applications for the spaniel hunting tests. Mailed entries will close at 8 pm on Sunday September 9th.  Entries will be limited to 25 dogs in Junior and 30 dogs in Senior and Master combined, each day.

Early registrations are greatly appreciated since it helps our planning for the test days.  Entries may be withdrawn for any reason, with a full refund, up to the closing date by simply emailing or phoning the Test Secretary or Test Chair.

Depending on the number of entries and the weather, we are hoping to provide 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.”) We will assume that all dogs will be available in running order for all portions of the testing. Of course, if you choose to withdraw your dog at any point, you may do so simply by informing the marshal.

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 are once again offering Working Dog Tests, in association with our AKC Spaniel Hunt Test, on Saturday, September 15th.  You do 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. So far we have received permission for WD testing from three parent clubs:  the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America, the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association, and the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America. Application has also been made to the Clumber Spaniel Club of America and the American Spaniel Club. If you are interested in working dog tests for other breeds, please contact Steve Roth ASAP since approval to hold these tests must be obtained from each breed club. More information and a fillable PDF version of the Working Dog Test entry form is here.  Or, find the same information and use our simple online entry form here.

Once again our hunt tests will be at Rebel Ridge Farms in Elkton, MD.  Convenient to I-95, a variety of restaurants, hotels that welcome dogs, and an RV/camping site, this beautiful property provides more than 250 acres of fields, ponds, and woods as well as a heated and air-conditioned clubhouse.

The average early morning low temperature at Elkton in mid-September is below 60(F); the average late afternoon high is in the upper 70s.

Registrants who travel with an RV or camper are directed to Lums Pond State Park in Bear DE, about a 10-minute drive from Rebel Ridge Farms. (Limited overnight camping on the Rebel Ridge property is reserved for hunting test volunteers who need to be present before the site opens at 7:30 am.)

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help, 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 show weekend next year 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.

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.

MSDA’s September Hunting Test Weekend was September 16th-17th. Despite hotter than usual temperatures, MSDA’s hunting tests were quite successful. Iced water and plenty of extra ponds on the property ensured that both humans and dogs kept their cool and had fun. There were more than 50 entries, and participating breeds included: Airedale Terrier, American Water Spaniel, Boykin Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, Golden Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, and Standard Poodle.

Mark your calendar – MSDA’s next hunting test weekend for flushing breeds will be Saturday September 15 – Sunday September 16, 2018 and we expect to be back at Rebel Ridge Farms.

(Click on any photo below to expand the gallery.)

There actually were three consecutive days of AKC-licensed spaniel (flushing breed) hunting tests at the Junior, Senior, and Master Hunter levels. They were held by the Maryland Sporting Dog Association (Saturday & Sunday) and by the Susquehanna Valley English Springer Spaniel Club (Friday’s event). Not just for spaniels, all three events were open to all eligible flushing breeds. On Friday 9/15 and Saturday 9/16 MSDA also offered Working Dog certificate testing. WD testing is subject to each breed’s parent club approval; we received approval for English Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, Field Spaniels, and Welsh Springer Spaniels. Dogs entered in Junior Hunter could sign up for concurrent WD testing for a reduced fee. All of these events were held at Rebel Ridge Farms in Elkton, MD. This beautiful property provides more than 250 acres of fields, ponds, and woods as well as an air-conditioned clubhouse.

If you have any follow-up questions or comments relating to hunting test weekend, please contact Steve Roth,  HuntingChair@mdsportingdog.org .

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Check our Calendar for more MSDA activities as well as training opportunities and hunt tests offered by other local clubs.