PVIWC Irish Wolfhound Specialty Show

The Potomac Valley Irish Wolfhound Club's annual Specialty is held around the end of March or beginning of April (specifically, starting on Sunday of the 13th weekend of the year - March 28-29 in 2010, subject to IWCA and AKC approval) in Maryland.  We host hundreds of wolfhounds and their people every year, so come on down and join us!

There is a lot of enjoyment to be found in spectating with so many hounds of all ages to admire. Also there is an information table, and a wonderful boutique with most things Irish Wolfhoundish, some not breed-specific, all very tempting and lovely, including items such as clothing, jewelry, wind chimes, door knockers, tote bags, ceramics, statues, prints, plaques, ornaments, and stationary as well as much, much more, for your shopping pleasure.

There is also enjoyment in having the show program and matching up hounds with their owners/breeders and getting a feel for who is doing what in the breed. It's a wonderful opportunity to get to know other wolfhound fanciers, too.

Information shortcuts:

• Judges
• Obedience
• Puppy Sweepstakes
• Regular Classes

Results and Pictures from past shows

• 2010 - marked catalog, show pictures (movement, wins, placements), candid pictures(Sunday and Monday)
• 2009 - judges' critique, show pictures (movement, wins, placements), candid pictures (Sunday and Monday)
• 2008 - results (sweepstakes, conformation and obedience results including judges' critiques), marked catalog, show pictures (movement, wins, placements), candid pictures (part 1 and part 2)
• 2007 - results (sweepstakes, conformation and obedience results including judges' critiques), candid pictures (part 1 and part 2)
• 2006 - results (sweepstakes, conformation and obedience results including judges' critiques), candid pictures
• 2005 - results (sweepstakes, conformation and obedience results includes judges' critiques), candid pictures
• 2004 - candid pictures
• 2003 - results (sweepstakes, conformation and obedience results), Conformation Judge's comments, candid pictures
• 2001 - results (sweepstakes, conformation and obedience results), Conformation Judge's comments, Sweepstakes Judge's comments, candid pictures
• 2000 - results (sweepstakes, conformation and obedience results)

Judges:

Planned judges:

2010
Conformation - Mr. Espen Engh, Jet Greyhounds, Norway
Sweeps - Ms. Jamie Souza-Bartlett, Limerick
Obedience - Mr. Michael Mooney
Rally - Mr. Michael Mooney

2011 (pending AKC approval)
Conformation - Ann Gallant, Breawyn

Obedience:

The obedience trials, which start about 8 a.m. on Sunday, are wonderful to see - some hounds so very focused, some really struggling to get the concept together, all very enjoyable for spectators (there is a great need for well-behaved spectating here). The participants are happy to have lots of support.

Puppy Sweepstakes:

The puppy sweepstakes are divided into age groups and gender, 6-9 months; 9-12 months, 12-15 months, 15-18 months. The sweepstakes are in addition to the regular class conformation judging, and there is an extra enjoyment just in seeing what babies look like and how they behave. Sweeps start early Sunday morning in the main show ring.

Regular Classes:

After all the puppy sweeps judging is done, regular classes of conformation begin (dogs, then bitches) - this usually goes until about 3 or 4 every afternoon both days, culminating in the Best of Breed on Monday afternoon.