NASA COMPETITIVE TITLE PROGRAM
Last Updated August 24, 2009
ANNOUNCING THE NORTH AMERICAN SHEPHERD ASSOCIATION COMPETITIVE TITLE PROGRAM
In cooperation with the Australian Shepherd Club of AmericaThe Fun Begins NOW!
NASA proudly offers owners of North American Shepherds the opportunity to earn titles through NASA by competing in ASCA sanctioned events.
By special arrangement with the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) the North American Shepherd Association (NASA) is pleased to announce that NASA can now recognize all ASCA accomplishments and titles earned by North American Shepherds. When you earn any title with your North American Shepherd through ASCA’s stockdog and performance programs, NASA will honor your effort and award your dog the same NASA title.
As NASA’s Board of Directors and members work toward full UKC and AKC recognition of the North American Shepherd, we want you to get started right away experiencing the fun and excitement of competing in all-breed performance events. There’s no reason to wait years to earn titles. You can compete for and earn NASA performance titles today!
Eligible ASCA Programs include Agility, Obedience, Stockdog, Rally and Tracking.
It’s fun, inexpensive, and easy to participate. Simply apply for an ASCA Tracking Number. To qualify for NASA titles, you must identify your dog’s breed as “North American Shepherd” on the application.
http://www.asca.org/Portals/812b34ca-1ab9-41bb-9dc9-d7b90411dbdc/trackapp.pdf
Each year, ASCA offers hundreds of trials nationwide, so North American Shepherd fanciers from coast to coast will have lots of opportunities to show off our breed’s talents. ASCA professionally maintains an online Shows and Trials Newsletter and Events Calendar, making it convenient for you to plan your trial dates well in advance.
http://www.asca.org/Events/Shows+and+Trials+Newsletter
ASCA will keep track of all your North American Shepherd’s scores and titles. When a title is earned, ASCA will send you a title certificate with your dog’s name, breed and the title earned. Submit a copy of your dog’s ASCA title certificate to the NASA Title Award Secretary and NASA will enter your dog’s title in the NASA Titles Record Book. Your dog will then be issued its NASA title certificate.
So, get going! Enter ASCA trials to earn NASA titles. It’s just that simple!
NASA Competitive Title Program Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is NASA offering North American Shepherd owners this option?
A: NASA’s mission is to promote the North American Shepherd breed. We believe in encouraging owners to participate in as many activities as they would like to, and ASCA offers the widest range of competitive programs available to the North American Shepherd breed. We don’t believe there is any reason to spend years developing separate NASA competitive programs. NASA’s Board and membership can focus on working with UKC and AKC toward full recognition, instead of spreading our resources thin writing rules and regulations, creating computer programming to track titles, printing and mailing rule books and organizing committees to handle details of each individual competitive program.
Q: How do I enroll my dog in the NASA Competitive Title Program?
A: Apply for an ASCA service membership and Tracking Number for your dog. The same downloadable application is used for both. You must identify your dog’s breed as “North American Shepherd.” NASA can not honor ASCA titles earned by Miniature Australian Shepherds or “mixed breeds”. You can find the Service Membership/Tracking Number application here: http://www.asca.org/Portals/812b34ca-1ab9-41bb-9dc9-d7b90411dbdc/trackapp.pdf When you receive your dog’s title certificate from ASCA, simply send a copy to the NASA Competitive Title Program Secretary. Your dog will then be issued its NASA title certificate. For example, if your dog earns an ASCA Companion Dog (CD) title, upon your submission of its title certificate, NASA will record and issue your dog a NASA Companion Dog (CD) title.
Q: Why do I have to identify my dog’s breed?
A: ASCA requires owners to identify their dog’s breed or else indicate the dog is a mixed breed. To qualify for the NASA Competitive Title Program, put “North American Shepherd” in the space provided for you to identify your dog’s breed.
Q: Will I have to reapply every year for my dog to remain eligible?
A: No. You just remit to ASCA a fee for an ASCA Service Membership, plus a one-time fee of $10 for each dog’s Tracking Number. You must be a current Service Member to apply for a dog’s tracking number. More information is available on the Tracking Number application.
Q: Does my dog have to be registered with NASA to qualify?
A: No. But ASCA requires that you indicate on the Tracking Number application any/all of your dog’s current registry numbers.
Q: Do I have to neuter my dog to be eligible?
A: No. ASCA gives tracking numbers to both intact and altered North American Shepherds.
Q: Can I compete in ASCA Conformation Events with a Tracking Number?
A: No. ASCA Conformation is restricted to ASCA registered Australian Shepherds. You may earn titles in the ASCA Agility, Obedience, Rally, Stockdog and Tracking programs.
Q: Will my dog be eligible for any special ASCA awards?
A: If the host club offers special “other breed” awards, you and your North American Shepherd will be eligible to win. For example, many host clubs offer “High in Trial Other Breed” awards at Obedience and Stockdog trials. And, of course, your dog would be eligible to win overall “High in Trial” at any ASCA sanctioned event.
