How to I qualify for the Invitational?

Teams can qualify in one of four ways:

  1. Top 25 Placement: Finish in the Top 25 of a class/level during the qualifying period.
  2. Versatility Award: Place in the Top 50 Versatility Awards during the qualifying period. The Versatility Award combines points earned at any level across Lost Item Recovery, Shed Dog, Trailing Brace, Trailing & Locating, and Urban Locating.
  3. Showcase Performance: Place in the top 20% of a class/level at the showcase event.
  4. Regional Championship Performance:  Win the Regional championship.

Placements in eac class are determined by the total number of points earned during the qualifying period. Rankings are adjusted based on the following criteria:

  • Master Champion Rankings: Dogs that earn at least one double Q or a qualifying score in a Master Champion class, or those who achieve the Lost Item Online Master Champion title, are ranked as Master Champions. They are not included in Level I, Level II, or Level III rankings.
  • Grand Champion Rankings: Dogs that earn at least one triple Q or grand champion points are ranked as Grand Champions. They are excluded from Level I, Level II, Level III, and Master Champion rankings for that class.

Yes. When two or more dogs have the same points, they each receive the same award. The next dog down receives a ranking based on the prior rank plus the number of dogs involved in the tie. For example, if five dogs have a score of 100, they each receive first place. If the next dog has 101 points, that dog would be ranked sixth.

The NASDA Showcase is a prestigious event that highlights top-performing teams who narrowly missed qualifying for the Invitational Championship. It provides a unique opportunity for these teams to compete and demonstrate their skills on a national stage.  The Showcase celebrates talent, versatility, and dedication across various NASDA classes and levels. Participants can also earn their way into the Invitational Championship by placing in the top 20% of their class/level at the Showcase.

Teams can qualify for the Showcase in one of two ways:

  1. Class Ranking: Place #26 to #50 in a class/level during the qualifying period.
  2. Best of Breed: Place #1 to #5 Best of Breed in a class/level during the qualifying period.

A retrieve is not required in the initial round of competition. However, a successful retrieve becomes a requirement as teams advance in the competition.

Best of Breed is awarded to the Top 5 dogs with the highest number of points earned during the qualifying period within each breed. The calculation follows a similar method as the Invitational and Showcase rankings.

Teams earning a Best of Breed award are eligible to participate in the Showcase or the Regional Championship.

The 2024 qualifiers and invites will be announced on January 31, 2025. Invitations will automatically appear on each individual dog’s page in the Dashboard.

How to Access the Dashboard:

  1. Log in to your NASDA account at https://nasda.dog
  2. Navigate to My Dogs from the main menu.
  3. Select your dog’s profile to view their status and invitations.  Awards are listed at the bottom of their page.

Troubleshooting Invite Visibility:

  • No Invite Displayed: Ensure your dog has met the qualification criteria.
  • Account Access Issues: Double-check your login credentials or reset your password if needed.
  • Further Assistance: Contact NASDA support at admin@nasda.dog if you encounter any issues.

The Regional Championship was introduced by NASDA in 2024 to celebrate the versatility of North American teams, recognizing the challenge that crossing international borders can pose for many participants.

In years when the Invitational is hosted in the US, the Regional Championship will be offered in Canada, and in years when the Invitational is in Canada, the Regional Championship will be held in the US. This event provides an opportunity for NASDA teams who may otherwise be unable to attend the Showcase or Invitational to compete and showcase their accomplishments on a regional level.

Yes, the winners of the Regional Championship will receive an invitation to compete in the semifinal or championship round of the Invitational in that same year.

However, dogs competing in the Regional Championship in a specific class/level are not eligible to compete at the Showcase or Invitational in that same class unless they win a semifinal or championship bye.

Teams who receive an invitation to the Invitational Championship or Showcase, as well as Best of Breed recipients, are eligible to use their invite to compete at the Regional Championship.

However, dogs competing in the Regional Championship in a specific class/level may not compete in that same class at the Invitational or Showcase unless they win a semifinal or championship bye.

Junior Handlers are an important part of the NASDA community, and we are currently developing our Junior Handler program with plans for expansion as it grows. Junior Handlers represent the future of our sport, and we look forward to fostering their development.

To be eligible for Junior Handler invites, each Junior must be registered with NASDA. The Junior Handler ID (JHID) should be included with event entries and results to ensure proper tracking.

The Top 25 Junior Handlers are invited to compete in the Invitational Championship at the highest level of competition they have earned points in for each sport.  Alternatively, Junior Handlers may choose to use their invite for the Regional Championship.