Specialty Show
General Information
PVIWC 2023 Specialty Shows
Dates: April 1, 2 and 3, 2023
Closing Date: March 3,2023
Location: Harford County Equestrian Center (HCEC)
608 North Toll Gate Road
Bel Air, MD 21014
Judges: Conformation Sunday - Ms. Debbie Tubbut, Caredig
Conformation Monday - Ms. Jacqueline Keaton Carswell, Carnasserie
Sweeps (Monday only) - Ms. Patty Newgard
OB/Rally (Saturday only) - Mr. Michael Mooney
Download 2023 Premium here.
Download 2023 Program of Judging here.
Download 2023 IWADV LGRA Premium (Saturday only) here.
Download 2023 Marked Catalog here.
The 2023 shows will be held in the same, grassy and level, location at the Harford County Equestrian Center, as it has been the last few years.
Please note Specialty Show 2023 updates:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, IWADV and PVIWC have had to cancel the LGRA trial Saturday morning. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Show Photos
Show photos from our esteemed photographer Mark Berry are available on his website: Link
General Show information
New Food Vendor:
The Potomac Valley Irish Wolfhound Club (PVIWC) is delighted to announce that breakfast and lunch will be available to purchase onsite through Capital Concessions. A variety of foods will be offered and special dietary needs can be accommodated. Please contact show chair to advise of such needs. They do not accept credit cards, cash only.
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 (Sunday Only), regular classes of conformation begin (dogs, then bitches). Monday will begin with regular classes. Download the AKC Beginners Guide to Showing here for more detailed information.
Obedience/Rally:
The obedience trials, which start about 12pm. on Saturday, 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. Some years we have Lure Coursing, and CGC testing also.
LGRA:
LGRA stands for Large Gazehound Racing Association, and is a chance for you to run your hounds on a straight track after a lure. Most wolfhounds LOVE doing this! For rules and details on the sport, check out the LGRA website here.
Download 2023 IWADV LGRA Premium (Saturday only) here.
IRISH WOLFHOUND FOUNDATION (IWF) HEART STUDY:
As part of the Life Cycle Study, The Irish Wolfhound Foundation will sponsor screening for cardiac health at the show site on Sunday, April 2. A donation of $60 is requested for EKG/auscultation for hounds under 6 and $30 for hounds 6 and older. Any hound found to have an abnormal EKG or auscultation will be worked into the echo clinic and a $100 donation will be requested. Testing for OFA certification will be available but must be requested when you sign up. Echocardiogram/ EKG (required for OFA cert.) will be $200 for healthy dogs 2 years and under 6 year of age & $100 for dogs over 6 years of age. Sign up online at www.iwfoundation.org/screening-clinics or contact Frances Abrams at 937-371-3609, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to pre-register before March 12.
2019 Specialty Show Photos
Specialty Results
Puppy, 6 to 9 Months Dogs Puppy, 6 to 9 Months Bitches
Puppy, 9 to 12 Months Dogs Puppy, 9 to 12 Months Bitches
12 to 15 Months Dogs 12 to 15 Months Bitches
15 to 18 Months Dogs 15 to 18 Months Bitches
Amateur Owner Handler Dogs Amateur Owner Handler Bitches
Bred By Exhibitor Dogs Bred By Exhibitor Bitches
American Bred Dogs American Bred Bitches
Reserve Winner's Dog Reserve Winner's Bitch
Best Of Winners Award Of Merit
Best Puppy Best Bred By Exhibitor
Best Head
Obedience Trial
High In Trial CDX
Sweepstakes Results
6 to 9 month Puppy Dog Sweepstakes 6 to 9 Month Puppy Bitch Sweepstakes
9 to 12 Month Dog Sweepstakes 9 to 12 Month Bitch Sweepstakes
12 to 15 Month Dog Sweepstakes 12 to 15 Month Bitch Sweepstakes
15 to 18 Month Dog Sweepstakes 15 to 18 Month Bitch Sweepstakes
Best in Sweepstakes Best Opposite in Sweepstakes
Rally Competition
Rally
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) 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. There will be an information table, raffles with wonderful prizes, and the opportunity to chat with fellow IW enthusiasts.
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.
If you are not on our Specialty Premium mailing list - please email our show secretary, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your postal mailing address.
Download 2023 Premium here.
If you are interested in sponsoring trophies, mementos, and/or ribbons, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your inquiries.
**A PVIWC meeting is scheduled for Sunday, April 2, 2023, immediately following the conclusion of Day One's judging at the Armband Table (aka the ring entrance). The purpose of this meeting is to conduct necessary club business.**
General Information
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 Sunday and Monday afternoon.
Obedience:
The obedience trials, which start about 8 a.m. on Saturday, 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.
Accommodations
Motel 6 Edgewood
1709 Edgewood Rd., Edgewood, MD 21040
(410) 679-9700
*This facility is adjacent to the busy El Rodeo Mexican Bar & Grill
Merit Hotel (formerly the Clarion Hotel)
980 Hospitality Way, Aberdeen, MD 21001
(410) 273-6300
Rooms at $124 per night. Pet fee is $25.
Ramada Edgewood Hotel and Conference Center
1700 Van Bibber Rd., Edgewood, MD 21040
(410) 679-0770
All rooms are exterior corridor. Rooms at $69.95 plus tax per night for up to 4 people per room. Pet fee is $12.50 per night. Please mention Potomac Valley Irish Wolfhound Club when reserving to get this rate.