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.
Rebel Ridge Farms has:
250+ acres of specially-managed sporting dog training areas connected by a driveway that runs the length of the property
Eight major field areas, up to 1,000 feet long, with low to medium cover
Four large ponds
Air-conditioned clubhouse
Property edged by large trees and dense cover
Parking at the fields, ponds, and clubhouse
There will be field and water training opportunities throughout the day. Lunch, too! This spacious property will allow many simultaneous activities. MSDA will provide gunners. Birds are included for both introductory and advanced training groups.
The day will follow the same general format as in previous years (though we continue to make improvements). There will be training groups for flushing, pointing, and retrieving breeds; each of these will be explicitly divided into beginning and advanced groups. Details about the training groups will be posted here, and online registration will open by March 1st.
There also will be opportunities for very experienced handlers to “work on your own”. And we are adding more beginner and other educational activities. We want to give everyone the opportunity to stay busy throughout the day.
Fees will remain the same as last year: basically, $10 per handler plus $25 per dog. Guests/observers are free. We also ask that you either bring a potluck dish to share (preferred) or contribute $10 per person toward lunch.
New this year:
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 be available to conduct CGC and CGC-Advanced evaluations throughout the day. The fee is $10 (cash, or check payable to MSDA).
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.)
We can’t resist… we’re designing custom t-shirts that will be for sale this year. May the Fourth be with you! (Huh? It’s a Star Wars reference.)
We’re wrapping up planning for Field Day this month. If you are interested in helping or would like to volunteer on the day of the event, please contact one of the committee members listed below. 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.
Volunteers especially needed for:
• Trainers (beginning through advanced levels)
• Gunners
• Birds & logistics*
• Educational mini-seminars, posters, or other assistance
• Potluck lunch setup & cleanup
*Committee member position. This is mostly about arranging to buy birds (we have reliable suppliers for chukars, pigeons, and quail; ducks are always a challenge) and arranging to get them to the site and distributed among the training groups early in the morning on Field Day. May involve help with other training equipment as well.
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 on to birds!!
There will be a total of four identical clinics, at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm on both Friday 3/1 and Saturday 3/2. A simple online registration form is available below. You also can sign up at the MSDA Field Activities info desk in the main building at the Spring Weekend. 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 – cash or check, payable the day of the clinic. The number of registrations for each session is limited to ensure that each dog gets plenty of attention.
Look who’s coming! Registrations are running ahead of last year’s pace and we have more than 30 dogs signed up already, including the following breeds: Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, Flat-Coated Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Sussex Spaniel, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel, and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
Event parking is free on Friday, but $5 on Saturday.
The Instinct Clinic is the only MSDA Spring Weekend event to be held outside, so please dress for outdoor fun! Your dog only needs a collar (not just a slip lead) and your leash. We’ll provide a very long lead and all other supplies. Dogs are never off-leash during these sessions.
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 have fun at the Instinct Clinic, mark your calendar 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 will be Friday March 1 – Sunday March 3, 2019.
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’ll also have a third year of just-for-fun Instinct Clinics to introduce sporting dogs to field work. There will be additional fun activities as well.
MSDA Sporting Breed Conformation Shows and All-Breed Obedience/Rally Premium List
Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club Specialty Conformation and Obedience/Rally Premium List
All Conformation and Obedience/Rally registration is via Jim Rau Dog Shows. Registration has closed for these events. Detailed preliminary counts are available from Rau and are summarized just below, and we expect that judging schedules will be posted about a week before the event.
Look who’s coming! Based on preliminary counts, we have 548 entries for breed judging on Saturday and 535 on Sunday. By breed, we are expecting: American Water Spaniel (2 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday), ASCOB Cocker Spaniel (6,4), Black Cocker Spaniel (8,8), Brittany (11,11), Chesapeake Bay Retriever (21,18), Clumber Spaniel (20,20), Curly-Coated Retriever (1,1), English Cocker Spaniel (13,12), English Setter (8,8), English Springer Spaniel (31,31), Field Spaniel (10,10), Flat-Coated Retriever (44,39), German Shorthaired Pointer (17,18), German Wirehaired Pointer (5,5), Golden Retriever (75,77), Gordon Setter (5,4), Irish Red & White Setter (1,1), Irish Setter (24,25), Irish Water Spaniel (26,25), Labrador Retriever (55,57), Lagotto Romagnolo (12,11), Nederlandse Kooikerhondje (1,1), Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (34,28), Parti-color Cocker Spaniel (4,4), Pointer (12,16), Spinone Italiano (6,5), Sussex Spaniel (11,11), Vizsla (16,17), Weimaraner (10,11), Welsh Springer Spaniel (48,44), and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (11,11). We have 12 entries for Junior Showmanship on Saturday and 11 on Sunday.
Based on preliminary counts, MSDA obedience trial registrations total 66 on Friday, 94 on Saturday, and 80 on Sunday. Rally entries are 63 on Friday, 80 on Saturday, and 74 on Sunday. Detailed breakdowns are available from Rau.
On Friday, Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club has an estimated 104 entries for conformation, 4 for Junior Showmanship, 32 for Obedience, and 34 for Rally events. (These are all Golden Retrievers.) Detailed breakdowns are available from Rau.
Please remember that these are preliminary counts provided as of the close of entries on February 13th. Final registration numbers will be included in the Judging Schedule, which is expected about a week before the event.
PUBLIC WELCOME:
The dog-loving public is invited to attend! If you are interested in sporting dog breeds or obedience training for all dogs, the MSDA dog show is a wonderful place to learn more since many hundreds of dogs will be entered. Check the published schedule (available here after mid-February) for judging times for the breeds or obedience events that especially interest you. We’ll also have preliminary counts of the number of dogs participating, by breed or obedience event. Although owners and handlers will be busy preparing dogs for judging before their time in the ring, you can view the dogs in their event and then afterwards have a chance to ask questions and make friends with owners, handlers and the dogs themselves. Dogs entered in these events are very friendly and love attention. Similarly, owners, handlers, and many of our spectators are very knowledgeable and are usually happy to share.
GENERAL SCHEDULE:
All judging, trials, and grooming are indoors. However, note that dogs may NOT be left in the exhibition halls overnight.
Thursday, February 28th
No events.
Buildings open at 3:00 pm for setup.
No admittance to grounds after 10 pm.
Friday, March 1st
PVGRC (Golden Retriever events) are in the Main Hall A, located directly on the Midway; MSDA Obedience/Rally is in Hall B, which is next to Hall A but in the second row of smaller buildings off the Midway. The Superintendent’s (Rau) Desk and MSDA Information Tables (e.g., show and club information, catalog sales, field activities information), and vendors are in the Main Hall (A). (See a map)
Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club (PVGRC) Specialty, and Obedience and Rally Trials.
MSDA All-Breed Obedience and Rally Trials.
9:30 am and 1:30 pm: MSDA Sporting Dog Instinct Clinics. These are held outside but, even if you are preregistered, please check in (and pay) at the MSDA Field Activities information desk (in the Main Hall) at least 15 minutes before the Clinic starting time. Get more information and sign up here (not at Rau).
Saturday, March 2nd
Conformation is in Hall A; Obedience/Rally is in Hall B. The Superintendent’s (Rau) Desk and MSDA Information Tables (e.g., show and club information, catalog sales, field activities information), and vendors are in the Main Hall (A).
MSDA Sporting Dog Conformation Show and All-Breed Obedience and Rally Trials.
9:30 am and 1:30 pm: MSDA Sporting Dog Instinct Clinics. These are held outside but, even if you are preregistered, please check in (and pay) at the MSDA Field Activities information desk (in the Main Hall) at least 15 minutes before the Clinic starting time. Get more information and sign up here (not at Rau).
Irish Water Spaniel Designated Specialty
Fun Match sponsored by Chesapeake English Cocker Spaniel Association. Mail-in entries due by February 22nd. See back cover of Premium List for more information.
Conformation is in Hall A; Obedience/Rally is in Hall B. The Superintendent’s (Rau) Desk and MSDA Information Tables (e.g., show and club information, catalog sales, field activities information), and vendors are in the Main Hall (A).
MSDA Sporting Dog Conformation Show and All-Breed Obedience and Rally Trials.
SPECIALTY AND SUPPORTED ENTRIES:
MSDA Specialty Entry List – 2019: Irish Water Spaniel Club of America w/Sweepstakes
Saturday, March 2, 2019 – Supported Entries
American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association w/Sweepstakes
Capital City Cocker Club
English Cocker Spaniel Club of America w/Sweepstakes
Flat Coated Retriever Society of America w/Sweepstakes
Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac w/Sweepstakes
Lower Susquehanna Irish Setter Club w/Sweepstakes
Maryland Brittany Club w/Sweepstakes
Mid-Atlantic Field Spaniel Club of America w/Sweepstakes
National Capital English Setter Club w/Sweepstakes
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club – USA w/Sweepstakes
Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club w/Sweepstakes
Susquehanna Valley English Springer Spaniel Club w/Sweepstakes
Sussex Spaniel Club of America w/Sweepstakes
Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America w/Sweepstakes
Sunday, March 3, 2019 – Supported Entries
The Sweepstakes on Sunday, March 3rd will be hosted by the Maryland Sporting Dog Association. It will be for ALL breeds supporting the entry and those not supporting the entry.
American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association
Capital City Cocker Club
Capital Region Flat-Coated Retriever Club
English Cocker Spaniel Club of America
Irish Setter Club of Greater Richmond
Irish Water Spaniel Club of America
Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac
Maryland Brittany Club
National Capital English Setter Club
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club
Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club
Susquehanna Valley English Springer Spaniel Club
Sussex Spaniel Club of America
Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America
MORE ABOUT THE EVENTS AND GROUNDS:
But wait, there’s more! Free coffee and doughnuts each morning. Practice ring. Grooming space with power at no charge. Ringside hospitality with snacks and beverages during Group Judging. Armband raffle. Duck decoy ring toss (proceeds go to charity). Vendors (scroll down for a listing).
A Howard County Fairgrounds food concession is available on site. The Fairgrounds does not allow outside food to be delivered. So, you can’t order a pizza delivery, but you can buy some food or you may bring in your own.
General parking is free on Friday and $5 per car on Saturday and Sunday. Prime parking and RV parking (with electrical hookup) are available for an extra fee, if you preregistered. Information is in the Premium List.
The Fairgrounds’ official address is 2210 Fairgrounds Road,
West Friendship, Maryland 21794. It’s adjacent to I-70 and near that highway’s Exit 80.
A map of key locations on the show grounds is shown below. (Click on the image to enlarge the map.)
VENDORS:
The official event photographer is David Sombach Photography. Photos will be available for viewing and purchase online, usually within days of the event.
Veterinary care will be available from Seibel Veterinary Services. You’ll see their mobile clinic van parked near the Main Hall.
This year’s vendors include the following, who will be located in the Main Hall:
Firefox Leather: Enhance your daily walks, training or time with your best friend with Firefox Leather. Handcrafted quality leather of superior quality that you can see and even smell. Ultra-supple on your hands yet strong, it’s resistant to water and cleans easily, so it will keep its beauty for a lifetime to come. Collars, leashes and many other leather products for dogs.
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.
Kathy Edwards Paper Mache Dog Sculptures: Kathy Edwards has wonderful hands. Though her Paper Mache she brings dog sculptures to life. Well known for a “one of kind trophies”. Her works of art is a welcome addition to any dog lovers’ home. To see more please use the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2YjD54qbzs
Madison & Maude: Our personalized custom service puts luxury designs completely in your hands, giving your loyal pet an exclusive piece suited to their desired style and personality needs. We don’t just want to pamper your pet we want to spoil them rotten! Our mission is simple: use only the highest quality USA sourced materials. Create comfortable, timeless designs, give back to our community and appreciate the insights of our customers. “Our goal is to create a gift that you will love and treasure for many years to come” Madison & Maude is a family owned and operated business located in beautiful New Kent, Virginia.
The Sharp Edge: After 10 years showing dogs we decided to change focus and help our fellow exhibitor by providing quality products at fair prices. We offer a complete line of scissors, clippers blades to meet your individual needs. Family owned and operated in Baltimore, Maryland.
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 you’d find at your neighborhood pet supply store. We provide quality, USA-manufactured products for pets and educational resources for owners.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
Contact our Event Chair, Richard Jackson, with any questions.
** 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.)
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
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 and handlers 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.
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.
You can still register for Instinct Clinics!
