Fort Smith, Arkansas • November 18–24, 2026
Four days. Two specialties. Hundreds of Brittanys, three days of agility, obedience, rally, and scent work — and the breed’s biggest show week of the year, all in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
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What is this show?
Every breed has one week that matters more than all the rest: its national specialty. For the Brittany, that week belongs to the American Brittany Club — the AKC parent club for the breed, and the host of this event.
The 2026 edition is a doubleheader: the 3rd annual independent specialty (Wednesday, November 18) and the 84th annual national specialty (Friday–Saturday, November 20–21), two shows in one location at the Kay Rodgers Park Expo Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The national’s Best of Breed winners become the top Brittanys in the country for 2026.
This is the conformation national specialty — the breed’s show-ring championship. The American Brittany Club also holds separate field-trial national championships (the 2026 Grand Gun Dog championships run in November in Missouri); those are different events entirely, and this guide covers the Fort Smith show.
At a glance
- Where: Kay Rodgers Park Expo Center, 4400 Midland Blvd, Fort Smith, AR 72904 (indoors)
- When: Wednesday, November 18 – Saturday, November 21, 2026
- Entries close: 12:00 noon Eastern, Wednesday, October 28, 2026
- Superintendent: Rau Dog Shows, Ltd. (online entries at raudogshows.com)
- Entry fee: $45 first entry, $35 each additional entry; Junior Showmanship $15 first entry / free as additional
- National judge: Jerome Elliot
- Show hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; show site opens to exhibitors after 5:00 PM Tuesday, November 17
Why go?
You don’t have to be showing a dog to get something out of national specialty week. Here’s what makes it worth the trip:
See the best Brittanys in the country. Saturday’s National Best of Breed is the breed’s championship moment — the finest Brittanys competing head to head, from puppies in sweepstakes to veterans and dual champions. If you own one Brittany and love the breed, there is no better place to watch.
Meet breeders, not just dogs. Responsible breeders come from across the country. If you’re thinking about adding a Brittany to your family — or your breeding program — this is where you meet them in person, see their dogs, and ask questions you can’t ask over email.
A real working-dog week. Brittanys are bird dogs first. Alongside conformation you’ll find the national obedience and rally trials, three days of agility trials, a scent work trial, and a puppy match — the full versatility of the breed on display.
The Top 20. Thursday evening’s Top Twenty showcases the breed’s top dogs — the Brittany world’s black-tie night, paired with the banquet and awards.
Learn something. Judges’ education, a town hall, and the club’s annual socials round out a week built for people who live and breathe this breed.
Day by day
The schedule is tentative — the club posts updates with the premium at Rau Dog Shows.
- Wednesday, Nov. 18 — 3rd annual independent specialty: conformation and Junior Showmanship (Ms Alessandra Folz), puppy & veteran sweepstakes (Beth Rosener), a puppy match in honor of Bev Millette & Ned Castillo, and a scent work trial.
- Thursday, Nov. 19 — Obedience trial (46th) and rally trial (20th); the Top Twenty, banquet, and awards in the evening.
- Friday, Nov. 20 — National puppy, veteran, and dual champion sweepstakes (Helen Riggle); judges’ education; class dogs and class bitches; town hall.
- Saturday, Nov. 21 — National specialty: Junior Showmanship, non-regular classes, Best of Breed, brace, stud dog, and brood bitch (Jerome Elliot).
- Friday–Sunday, Nov. 20–22 — Three days of agility trials alongside the specialty.
Who’s judging?
The judging slate, per the official premium list:
- National specialty conformation & Juniors: Jerome Elliot
- National sweepstakes: Helen Riggle
- Independent specialty conformation & Juniors: Ms Alessandra Folz
- Independent sweepstakes: Beth Rosener
- Puppy match: LeslieAnn Stalker
- Obedience & rally: Sarah Schroeder
Full ring times arrive with the official judging program. Find it on the ThePetAdvisor show page for this event.
How to enter (entries close October 28)
Entries close at 12:00 noon Eastern on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, through superintendent Rau Dog Shows (online at raudogshows.com). Entry limits can fill before the deadline — don’t wait until the last day.
For reference, 2026 entry fees: $45 for the first conformation entry and $35 for each additional entry of the same dog; puppy (6–9 and 9–12 months), Bred-By-Exhibitor, and veteran classes $40; sweepstakes $30 (must be entered in a regular class); stud dog, brood bitch, and brace $30; Junior Showmanship $15 as a first entry and free as an additional entry; obedience and rally $45 first entry / $30 additional. The full fee table is in the official premium list (PDF).
Staying in Fort Smith
The show is held at the Kay Rodgers Park Expo Center, 4400 Midland Blvd, Fort Smith, AR 72904 — show grounds are open daily 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and the show site opens to exhibitors after 5:00 PM on Tuesday, November 17.
The premium does not name a host hotel or group rate. Nearby options it lists: Hampton Inn Fort Smith, Courtyard by Marriott Fort Smith, LaQuinta Fort Smith, Wyndham Fort Smith City Center, American Inn & Suites, Baymont Inn, and Motel 6.
RV parking is available at the show location — $35.00 per night, 60 slots with electric, water, and sewer at most hookups. Reserve with Chuck Lawrence ([email protected], (315) 783-6440); pay at the Expo Center office on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
What is the American Brittany Club national specialty?
It is the biggest show event of the year for the Brittany breed, hosted by the American Brittany Club, the AKC parent club for Brittanys. The dogs judged Best of Breed at the national specialty are considered the top Brittanys in the country for the year. This is the conformation national specialty — the club’s field-trial national championships are separate events.
When and where is the 2026 Brittany National Specialty?
November 18–21, 2026, at the Kay Rodgers Park Expo Center, 4400 Midland Blvd, Fort Smith, Arkansas. The week pairs the 3rd annual independent specialty (Wednesday, November 18) with the 84th annual national specialty (Friday–Saturday, November 20–21).
Are entries still open for the 2026 Brittany national specialty?
Yes — entries close at 12:00 noon Eastern on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, through superintendent Rau Dog Shows. Conformation entry fees are $45 for the first entry and $35 for each additional entry of the same dog; puppy and Bred-By-Exhibitor classes are $40.
Who is judging the Brittany national specialty in 2026?
Jerome Elliot judges the national specialty conformation and Junior Showmanship; Helen Riggle judges the national sweepstakes. Ms Alessandra Folz judges the independent specialty conformation and Beth Rosener judges its sweepstakes; Sarah Schroeder judges obedience and rally.
Can I attend the Brittany national specialty if I did not enter a dog?
Yes. Dog shows are open to the public, and spectators are welcome at the rings. If you love Brittanys, the national specialty is the best place to see the country’s top dogs and meet breeders.
Where do exhibitors stay for the Brittany national specialty?
The premium does not name a host hotel or group rate — it lists Hampton Inn Fort Smith, Courtyard by Marriott Fort Smith, LaQuinta Fort Smith, Wyndham Fort Smith City Center, American Inn & Suites, Baymont Inn, and Motel 6 as nearby options. RV parking is available at the show site for $35 per night (60 slots with hookups).
Planning your show season?
Create your free ThePetAdvisor account — track your dogs, plan your weekends, and never miss a closing date.
See the full show page: dates, judges, fees, and the judging program