This page is for current members only to make their annual $10 membership renewal payment. If you are not already an MSDA member, or are not sure whether you are a member, please contact Pamela DeSmidt (secretary@mdsportingdog.org) for information before sending money. (You cannot join MSDA just by paying dues — you need to apply for membership first.)
You may pay securely online by clicking the Pay Now button at the bottom of this page. You can use PayPal or a credit or debit card even if you don’t have, and don’t want, a PayPal account.
PayPal does not share any of your credit card information with MSDA.
Important notes:
PayPal sends MSDA your name and email address, and we use this to match your payment to our membership list. If the name or email address associated with your payment account is different from the one MSDA has on file (the one we use to send you the monthly newsletter and member notices), please type the correct information for MSDA in the text field before you click on “Pay Now”.
If you would like to make a single payment for two or more members (e.g., you and your spouse), you can adjust the quantity on the very first screen you encounter at PayPal. If you are paying for more than one, please first type the names and email addresses in the text field so we can credit your dues properly.
Note that there are no family memberships or discounts for members in the same household: dues are simply $10 per person.
Dues payments are not refundable.
Thank-You!
Current members also may send a $10 check for their 2021 dues, payable to “MSDA”, to: Pamela DeSmidt MSDA 9340 Chestnut Knolls Dr. Fairfax, VA 22032
2021 membership dues must be received by MSDA before the start of the Annual Membership Meeting at 7 pm on Saturday March 6, 2021. If dues are not received by the deadline, the membership will be canceled.
Saturday November 28, 2020 Location: An outdoor field near the main building at Howard County Fairgrounds CANCELED
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, this event is canceled. Those who have already registered will be contacted directly and their checks will be destroyed.
Non-Sporting Group Breeds Match: The Mid-Atlantic Non-Sporting Club of Virginia has also CANCELED their similar match (for Non-Sporting Group breeds) in the same location on Sunday, November 29th.
Offered Two Days Saturday October 24th and Sunday October 25th, 2020 10 am – 3 pm Dickerson, MD
These days offered an introduction to field work for all sporting dogs. Handlers and dogs were dispersed among multiple fields and simultaneous activities. There was no live fire and no shot birds. Some people came for both days and some just for one or the other. We had 18 dogs signed up for Saturday and 19 for Sunday, including one or more of the following breeds: Barbet, Clumber Spaniel, English Setter, German Shorthaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Sussex Spaniel, Vizsla, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. Many were beginners.
Photos are below. (Special thanks to Ken Harringer for some really good ones!) Click on any photo to expand and click through the gallery.
The weather cooperated nicely for Saturday, but Sunday was cooler with some light rain. Still, we had two relaxed and fun days to work on some basic training, and we hope that everyone went home with happy and tired dogs, and having a better idea of what they need to focus on over the winter months.
The trainers for the weekend were: Ken Harringer, Betsy Harringer, Steve Roth, Brian Schmidt, and Steve Surprenant. Topics included: introducing dogs to bird scent, basic pointing and flushing techniques, obedience commands essential to field work, e-collar conditioning, and yard work with placeboards.
Since this occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic, activities were entirely outdoors and safety protocols including social distancing and masks were required.
Saturday, July 25th 2020 and Sunday, July 26th 2020
10:00 am – 3:00 pm each day Dickerson, MD Hosted by Alex and Steve Roth
This event was for MSDA club members, their families, and their guests. Dogs, too, of course! MSDA provided the meats for grilling and attendees brought side dishes and desserts to share. Split between two days, the event had fewer attendees each day and this allowed for social distancing. As always, the pool was a hit, and there was even a bit of field training in the shade.
Here are pictures from both days. Click on any photo to enlarge.
MSDA’s annual pool party is limited to members and their family and guests. Not an MSDA member? Learn more about us, how to join the club, and sign up for our e-mail list.
Unfortunately, we had to cancel the MSDA Spaniel Hunting Test Weekend, along with the judging seminar, instinct clinics, and WD testing, this September 12-13.
As many of you already know, Rebel Ridge, our venue for many years, suspended property rentals until 2021. We scrambled to get a firm commitment from another appropriate site, but were not successful. We were out of options for the fall.
We understand how much everyone wants to get out in the field with their dogs, so we took this action only very reluctantly. But, it is very important to MSDA to run a high quality event and to do it safely.
We are currently hoping to hold another spaniel hunt test weekend at Rebel Ridge May 8-9, 2021 as well as our regular fall hunt tests in September 2021.
If you have comments, questions, suggestions, or just want to vent or commiserate, please feel free to contact Steve Roth (Event Chair and MSDA President) at president@mdsportingdog.org .
MSDA’s Annual Field Day — a full day of FUN, bird dog training for all levels, and some very good food — had been scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd at Rebel Ridge Farms in Elkton, MD. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Field Day 2020 was canceled. We hope to see everyone in spring 2021 when Field Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 17!
MSDA holds two of the largest sporting group conformation shows in the U.S. and, along with those, three days of all-breed obedience and rally trials, breed specialties, bird instinct clinics, and other activities. In 2020, the dates and major activities for MSDA’s events at the Howard County Fairgrounds (just south of I-70) in West Friendship, MD were February 28th – March 1st.
THANK-YOU participants, judges, stewards, trophy sponsors and all volunteers!
Below are some snapshots of the event. Click any picture to open an enlarged slide show of all of them.
The trainer also took photos of many of the dogs who participated in the Barn Hunt Try-It. See them at Nose Prints and More.
David Sombach Photography was the official photographer. He took all of the “win” photos. Literally hundreds of photos are available for viewing and purchase online at his website.
Major activities this year included:
MSDA Sporting Group Conformation Saturday and Sunday.
MSDA All-Breed Obedience & Rally Trials. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Breed Specialty Show on Friday – Northern Virginia Brittany Club.
Breed Specialty Show and Obedience & Rally Trial – Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club.
Designated Specialty – Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA) on Saturday.
MSDA Membership Meeting, dinner, and seminar on Saturday evening.
Also on the schedule were sweepstakes, owner-handled, junior handler, and best bred-by-exhibitor competitions. There was puppy and veteran sweepstakes, a dog show tour and new exhibitor briefing, and morning coffee & doughnuts.
Official results are available at the AKC website:
The following clubs supported entries at the shows: 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, 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, Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America, and Wilderness Pointer Club.
A big THANK-YOU to all who answered the call to work as volunteers and to those who sponsored trophies for our 2020 Spring Event!
Vendors:
Horse Brooch: So much more that a brooch or cute pin. Horse Brooch makes hand-made enameled (glass/porcelain enamels fused onto copper) brooches true to standard AKC dogs as well as a large variety of animal images. A technique of “painting” with enamel, originating in Limoges, France, in the 15th century which was developed by the Penicaud family. The use of this technique was the first time that different enamel colors were put next to each other without the separation of wire or surface metal. The pieces offered at The Horse Brooch are completely unique. The Realistic Style of each piece is individually drawn on and hand-sawn from a sheet of copper, which is then hand-painted using the Limoges painting technique. Each piece requires a minimum of five separate firings in
an enameling kiln producing a work of art.
White Bone Company: Since 1994, White Dog Bone has been family owned and operated by parents, children, and even grandchildren. The whole family is committed to offering quality Pet products and customer service. We work to represent as many USA manufacturers as possible and provide the same customer service youâd find at your neighborhood pet supply store. We provide quality, USA-manufactured products for pets and educational resources for owners.
The Sharp Shop: We offer a complete line of scissors, clippers blades to meet your individual needs. Family owned and operated in Maryland.
Salty Dog & Sweet Pâs Swag is an Authorized Dog is Good Retailer. We offer paw-some clothing, accessories, and gifts for dog and cat lovers. Check out our events tab on Facebook for the location of our upcoming Pup Up Show.
MFD/Digi- Art Photography and Portraits: I am a pet portrait photographer. I use several art programs on my computer to create a digitized portrait of your “dog” or other pet… making it look like a painting. I then print on canvas (on site) in my booth and offer matting and framing. These portraits are completed in about a half hour, depending on how busy I am. I offer many custom gift items for clients, once I have a working portrait in my system. I also have created a line of note cards, (Gadfly Note Cards) using many of the fine breed representations I have taken over the years. I get the owners approval before doing this. Most of my MFD/Digi-Art career was spent in the Northeast, when I lived in PA. Now I’m located in South Carolina, and only come north a few times a year. I’m looking forward to seeing many old friends at the Sporting Dog Cluster.
Sunflower Trading Company: With 30+ years in the hat industry we know a thing or two about quality hats. Weâre always looking to improve the shopping experience for our customers, so please donât hesitate to let us know if thereâs anything more we can do to help.
ComfyPooch by Mindy offers dog beds, crate pads, throws and now ottomans made from Crypton fabric. Products: Dog Beds, Pillow covers – to cover multiples for beds or decorative single pillow covers, Crate pads, Throws and Ottomans.
K-9 Fun-Fit, LLCÂ is a multi-dynamic dog service business. We are passionate about fulfilling our canine family members in every way. We have learned the importance meeting our dogsâ needs by providing them with healthy food and treats along with keeping them in a balanced state through proper training, structured walks, and interactive play. K-9 Fun-Fit, LLC was birthed out of a life-long love of dogs. We understand the importance of gaining the dogâs trust and respect while providing a positive, well balance training experience. We teach that training your dog is a lifestyle. It is a continual, ongoing activity that you can be creative with. Lifestyle training goes beyond obedience commands. It is for everyday life and cohabitation. We are looking forward to opening a facility that will encompass all aspects of the K-9 Fun-Fit, LLC vision. We invite you to grab some treats from the online store or fetch the Mobile Treat Truck in your neighborhood. Also, you can schedule midday walks, training or stimulating activity sessions.
More Information: Once again, the chair of this event was Richard Jackson. Please contact him directly with any questions or comments.
We also invite you to learn more about us, and sign up for our e-mail list to be updated (mostly via a monthly newsletter) on all club activities:
MSDA held six Bird Instinct Clinics during the 2020 MSDA Spring Event at the Howard County Fairgrounds. For a bird dog with little or no field experience, this was a great way to get started.
Instinct Clinic is a fun, relaxed, and encouraging activity. The session 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. There is no gunfire and flushed birds fly away. 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 clubâs 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!!
There were a total of six identical clinics, at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm on Friday 2/28, Saturday 2/29, and Sunday 3/1 and in 2020 they were fully booked. All potential bird dogs are welcome at our Instinct Clinics. We had one or more of the following breeds participating: Barbet, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, French Spaniel, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Pointer, Saint Usuge Spaniel, Spinone Italiano, Standard Poodle, Vizsla, Weimaraner and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
MSDA had a booth at the 2020 World of Pets Expo at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium MD. The Expo was Friday 1/24 – Sunday 1/26.
We made a lot of new friends — many Expo attendees were not familiar with MSDA and followed up by signing up for upcoming Instinct Clinics and by getting more information about Field Day and club membership. Old friends came by to say “hi”, too. And, of course, kids loved meeting a bird dog!
There were many other booths with products and information for dogs and every other pet. Also a petting zoo, dog agility competitions, and dock diving.
Special thanks to Sally Eck for organizing this and to Bree the English Setter for being such a great (and patient) representative of sporting dogs. We plan to be back at the 2021 Expo.
MSDA holds two of the largest sporting group conformation shows in the U.S. and, along with those, three days of all-breed obedience and rally trials. In 2020, the dates for MSDA’s events at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD are:
Friday February 28th (All-Breed Obedience & Rally)
Saturday February 29th (Sporting Group Conformation, All-Breed Obedience & Rally)
Sunday March 1st (Sporting Group Conformation, All-Breed Obedience & Rally)
These events attract more than 600 dogs, along with owners, handlers, breeders, and the dog-loving public. Many “trophies” in the form of plaques, embroidered towels, dog toys, and other gifts are awarded to the winners each day.
A hearty THANK-YOU to all who are sponsoring trophies in 2020 for the following:
Chesapeake Bay Retriever – Saturday Best of Breed, Sponsored by: Jay Demarest
Chesapeake Bay Retriever – Saturday Winners Bitch, Sponsored by: Jay Demarest
Chesapeake Bay Retriever – Sunday Best of Breed, Sponsored by: Jay Demarest
Chesapeake Bay Retriever – Sunday Winners Bitch, Sponsored by: Jay Demarest
Clumber Spaniel – Saturday Best of Breed, In memory of Moby, CH Shogun’s Seadog CGC, RN, BN
Clumber Spaniel – Saturday Best of Opposite Sex, Sponsored by: Hank and Stanley
Horse Brooch: So much more that a brooch or cute pin. Horse Brooch makes hand-made enameled (glass/porcelain enamels fused onto copper) brooches true to standard AKC dogs as well as a large variety of animal images. A technique of “painting” with enamel, originating in Limoges, France, in the 15th century which was developed by the Penicaud family. The use of this technique was the first time that different enamel colors were put next to each other without the separation of wire or surface metal. The pieces offered at The Horse Brooch are completely unique. The Realistic Style of each piece is individually drawn on and hand-sawn from a sheet of copper, which is then hand-painted using the Limoges painting technique. Each piece requires a minimum of five separate firings in
White Bone Company: Since 1994, White Dog Bone has been family owned and operated by parents, children, and even grandchildren. The whole family is committed to offering quality Pet products and customer service. We work to represent as many USA manufacturers as possible and provide the same customer service youâd find at your neighborhood pet supply store. We provide quality, USA-manufactured products for pets and educational resources for owners.
Salty Dog & Sweet Pâs Swag is an Authorized Dog is Good Retailer. We offer paw-some clothing, accessories, and gifts for dog and cat lovers. Check out our events tab on Facebook for the location of our upcoming Pup Up Show.
Sunflower Trading Company: With 30+ years in the hat industry we know a thing or two about quality hats. Weâre always looking to improve the shopping experience for our customers, so please donât hesitate to let us know if thereâs anything more we can do to help.
