2026 Spring Event

Friday, February 27 * Saturday, February 28 * Sunday, March 1
Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD

AKC Sporting Group Dog Shows, Breed Specialties, All-Breed Obedience & Rally Trials, Fetch Testing, CGC and Trick Dog Tests, MSDA Bird Instinct Clinics, lots of Vendors

Related pages:

About Spring Event
2026 Instinct Clinics

Dog show, obedience and rally entries are OPEN. For Premiums and entries visit Infodog.com. Entries close February 11.

Visit our vendors! At the event and online.

“Spring Event” is short for “Spring Community Event”, and all of the dog-loving community is welcome to attend. The weekend is open to the public and there are hundreds of dogs under one roof. Spring Event is held at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD and this year the dates are Friday, February 27 – Sunday, March 1. There will be three days of AKC-licensed Sporting Dog Group shows, Specialty shows for seven breeds, All-Breed Obedience and Rally Trials, AKC Fetch, CGC and Trick Dog Testing, and MSDA’s Bird Instinct Clinics as well as lots of vendors selling great dog-related items, and other activities, too.

Conformation events and vendors will be in the attached Main and (newer) Annex buildings of the Fairgrounds – these are connected to each other by an interior walkway (with restrooms :-). Obedience and Rally trials will be in “Barn 7/8”, which is not a barn but an enclosed building with a concrete floor just east of the Main building. Fetch testing and the Instinct Clinics will be outside, west of the buildings.

For potential dog show and obedience/rally entrants, MBF is the superintendent. Find all the Premium Lists, entry forms, Judging Program and other information at Infodog.com. The entry deadline is noon on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. To get you started, here is MSDA’s Premium List (PDF includes all MSDA conformation, obedience and some specialties).

Spectators are very welcome! MSDA runs some of the biggest AKC Sporting Group dog shows in the country, so this is a great place to learn more about specific breeds or just get up close to watch the activity in the rings. All dog show, obedience and rally events are held indoors. For detailed information, look through the InfoDog list of Maryland shows for Maryland Sporting Dog Association. The “Premium List”, which describes what is planned, is already available. (Dense reading if you’re not used to the format.) The “Judging Program”, typically posted at InfoDog around mid-February, provides a more detailed schedule of the days so that you know where and when to look for specific breeds when you attend. And, you’ll also enjoy our wide range of vendors selling all things dog-related. While admission is free, there is a $10 fee (cash or check) to park on site. (Please note: dogs not entered in the events may not be brought into the buildings.)

Major activities include:

Also:

  • AKC National Owner-Handled Series each day
  • Best Gun Dog in Group – Saturday
  • Best Bred by Exhibitor in Group – Saturday
  • Morning Coffee & Donuts – Saturday & Sunday
  • Best in All-Sporting Breed Sweepstakes & Veteran Sweepstakes – Sunday

Supported Entries are:

  • Friday:
    • Boykin Spaniel Club & Breeders Association of America
    • Chesapeake English Cocker Spaniel Association
    • Liberty Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club
    • Susquehanna Valley English Springer Spaniel Club
  • Saturday:
    • Boykin Spaniel Club & Breeders Association of America
    • Clumber Spaniel Club of the Carolinas
    • Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America
    • Maryland Cocker Spaniel Club
    • Mid Atlantic Field Spaniel Club
    • Potomac Irish Setter Club
    • Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club
    • Susquehanna Valley English Springer Spaniel Club
    • Sussex Spaniel Club of America
    • Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America
  • Sunday:
    • Boykin Spaniel Club & Breeders Association of America
    • Capital City Cocker Spaniel Club
    • Clumber Spaniel Club of the Carolinas
    • Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America
    • Liberty Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club
    • Mid Atlantic Field Spaniel Club
    • National Capital English Setter Club
    • Potomac Valley Golden Retriever Club
    • Susquehanna Valley English Springer Spaniel Club
    • Sussex Spaniel Club of America

Best Gun Dog Competitions are on Saturday, February 28. Every year at MSDA’s Spring Event, we invite all gun dogs with “field cred” to step into the spotlight in the Best Gun Dog competition, held on Saturday. This special event follows regular breed judging and is designed to showcase the form, function, and field heritage of our sporting dogs for judges, breeders, and the public. After each breed’s conformation judging is completed, eligible gun dogs from that breed return to the ring for the Gun Dog competition. Winners from each breed-level Gun Dog class then advance to compete against other breeds for the ultimate MSDA honor: Best Gun Dog in Group, held in the big ring at the end of the day. The focus is on dogs that not only look the part but clearly represent true working gun dog type and attitude. If you are experienced in the field but have never shown a dog, this is a perfect, low‑pressure way to try the show ring. Ringside, on‑the‑spot mentoring is available so you and your dog can participate with confidence. To be matched with a mentor or ask questions, please check in at the MSDA club table well in advance of your ring time. Field attire is preferred and warmly encouraged. Best Gun Dog has a low entry fee ($20); intact, spayed and neutered dogs are eligible. Requirements vary by breed (consult pages 6-7 of MSDA’s Premium List) but, generally, your dog may need a field trial placement, hunt test title or working certificate recognized by AKC. The entry deadline, including documentation of field credentials, is 11:59 am on Wednesday, February 11.

On Saturday and Sunday, AKC Fetch Tests for all levels (Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Retriever) will be hosted by Judges Jennifer Hollis & Heather Rees. Two judges will each offer two concurrent tests for four tests total each day. Earn all four Fetch titles in one weekend by passing each level once under each of the two judges! The trials will be held on the grounds, outdoors on grass with snow fencing. Pre-Entry will be open January 24-February 21 ($30/test). Day-of entries will be $35/test, space permitting. Entry limit is 50 per test. More information and pre-entry is at https://www.sparklypaw.com/upcomingfetchtests.

On Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and afternoon, and Sunday morning MSDA will offer Bird Instinct Clinics. The Instinct Clinic consists of individual work with each dog and handler. Each dog gets 10-15 minutes in the field, including bird contact (e.g., flush or point). Trainers get the dogs excited about the birds, and then the dogs are able to scent 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. No field experienced is needed, so this is great for beginners! Early registration ($20) closes Sunday, February 15. Walk-up registration, space permitting, will be $25. Follow the link for more information and preregistration.

Day of parking will be $10 per vehicle CASH or CHECK ONLY. Pre-paid parking is available at a rate of $7 per day and limited numbers of Reserve Parking Passes, Prime Day Parking Passes and overnight parking for campers are also available. Visit https://www.sparklypaw.com/msda-spring-event-parking to purchase parking passes and for more information.

MSDA members are invited to the annual banquet Saturday evening, February 28, on site at Spring Event. Social hour begins at 5:30 pm with dinner at approximately 6:30 (following the completion of group judging). In addition to the delicious catered feast, including the always-popular crab cakes, there will be a silent auction and guest speaker Amber Aquart. Much more information is on this flyer (pdf). Ticket purchase deadline is February 15. Make your reservation at https://www.libertynsdtrc.com/product-page/liberty-banquet-msda-2026. This event is organized by the Liberty NSDTRC for both Liberty and MSDA members, family and friends.

Visit our vendors! At the event and online.

  • All Linked Up – Permanent jewelry, bracelets, anklets, rings and necklaces
  • Ameriprise Financial Services & FCE Imaging – Financial planning services through Ameriprise & Custom engraved drinkware (mugs, glasses) & custom imaged apparel (Tshirts, aprons, etc.).
  • Archway Pet – Dog Food & Dog Treats
  • AuraPets – AuraPets offers premium, all-natural dog treats and celebration desserts, featuring handcrafted bone biscuits and fresh pupcakes.
  • Best in Class Vibershield – Vibration technology jewelry for people and pets.
  • Clare’s Nutty Concoctions – Artisan nut brittle that are prepackaged. Our golden brittle is golden because it’s golden like our golden retriever.
  • DG Paws & Swag – Collars, leashes, bandanas, dirty dog items. Swag for owners: Puppy Love, Dog is Good and Chala bags.
  • Fable and Sage – Hand illustrated custom dog stationery and gifts
  • Howl Mountain Pet Kitchen, LLC
  • Kimscraftshope – Handmade wreaths, 3d printed items, tumblers, pens
  • Nature’s Caretakers, LLC – Hand made Metal Art, Safe products for your yard, Planters, Seminars for planting, Plant and Garden information etc.
  • Pet-O-Bed
  • Pet Portraits by Iris – I’m a local artist who hand-paints custom pet portraits and hand-makes gift items, such as pet portrait ornaments and refrigerator magnets.
  • Precision Sharp Co LLC – Sharpening, Precise Cut shears, blades and accessories
  • Redbarn Pet Products LLC – No sales, only free samples of : Dog Kibble, Air dried food , toppers treats and chews
  • Speck of Gold – Speck of Gold creates custom keepsakes & gifts for dog owners, plus stylish bandanas for dogs.
  • The Crabby Crafter
  • White Dog Bone – Grooming Products, Leashes & Collars, Beds, Nature’s Farmacy, Natural Treats, Toys

If you are interested in renting booth space as a vendor at MSDA’s Spring Event, more information is available here.

Bill Burland is the Spring Event Chair. Contact Bill at Burland@mdsportingdog.org.

P.S. If you’re trying to understand the differences between independent, concurrent and designated specialties as well as supporting entries and sweepstakes, MSDA just happens to have an article explaining these terms.