Use the Master Reservation Form to register for the Welcome Party, Symposium, Top 20 program and to order catalogs. Reservations will be accepted by March 4th, 2026. Requests for refunds must be received no later than this date after which no refunds will be issued.
Reservations for grooming space open January 2nd and must be made on their respective forms and sent to Keith Kozakiewicz with full payment. Grooming spaces at Purina are 5’ X 10’ and cost $75 per space. Reservations open for all exhibitors on January 2, 2026, and close March 4, 2026. No cancellations or changes will be accepted after March 4, 2026. No refunds will be issued after March 4, 2026.
Reservations for grooming space must be made on their respective forms and sent to Tammy Riggs with full payment. Reservations open for all exhibitors on January 2, 2026, and close March 4, 2026. No cancellations or changes will be accepted after March 4, 2026. No refunds will be issued after March 4, 2026.
ASSA will again host a Welcome Party at the 2026 National. This fun and informal event will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, starting one hour after completion of Futurity judging. A full buffet dinner will be served. ASSA hopes you will attend the Welcome Party. What a great way to kick off the National Week. Reserve your space at the Welcome Party on the Master Reservation Form. Deadline for reservations is March 4, 2026. No refunds will be made after March 4, 2026. Ticket confirmation will be sent via email.
The grooming area will be the showplace for visiting hours, which will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Layouts, pedigrees, photos, business cards, and displays are encouraged. Please remember, no puppies under 6 months of age and no “For Sale” signs allowed. The 2026 event will be fun and festive with a cash bar and refreshments.
Contest for Best Decorated Grooming Space, and People’s Choice award.
The grooming space decorating competition is a fun way to help bring the energy and enthusiasm of past Nationals back to Visiting Hours. We’re excited to offer the competition again in 2026. There will be a PEOPLE’S CHOICE/WINNER’S AWARD in which the winner gets a free grooming space at the 2027 National, a beautiful rosette AND they get to choose where within the ASSA the funds raised are donated. So the incentives to go all out with your decorations are greater than ever. GAMBLERS: (No charge to enter). Come to the Welcome table and tell them you are participating in the grooming space competition. You will be given an ID card with your space number on it to display at your grooming space. Put in a visible place for voters to see on Friday. BETTORS: Tickets will be sold all day Friday ($1.00 per ticket, $5.00 for 6 tickets, $10.00 for 15 tickets, $20.00 for 30 tickets). Beginning at 6:00 PM, write the grooming space number of your choice on your ticket(s) – one grooming space per ticket. Place your wages (your completed tickets) into the jar set up on the Welcome Table. Judging will conclude at 9:00 PM. The winner, total amount raised and the winner’s fund designation will be announced Saturday in the ring at the conclusion of Winners Dog.
Conformation
Welcome Party
Preferred Seating
Grooming Spaces
Master Reservation
Visiting Hours
An exciting event, showcasing the top winning Shelties from 2025. The rankings are based on Canine Chronicle Breed Statistics and invitations will be emailed once they are published.
Attendees are required to wear semi-formal attire, except those with reserved seats for their dog's team. A cash bar will be available, but no food will be provided this year.
TO PARTICIPATE: Owners will receive an invitation welcoming you to take part in the showcase event and
will explain how this year's event will work. Fill out the Entry Form. All of this information will be printed in a beautiful designed color program to be
distributed the night of the showcase. BIOS TO BE LIMITED TO 75 words or less - if more, it will be
edited. All titles are NOT included in the count of words for the bios or placed on the rosette, neither is
pertinent information required above. Programs will include all information.
Firm closing date for all information is March 1st. If you do not want a rosette, send no money.
Rosette will NOT be provided if fee is not included and will NOT be mailed. Please have a friend pick up your ribbon at the event. There will be a People's Choice and International Choice awarded as well. Ballots must be in 30 minutes after the showcase concludes. Late ballots will not be
counted!
Top 20 Invitational
Reservation Form
1. The official Top 20 Winner is decided by 3 Judges: A Breeder, A Handler, and an All-Breed Judge. Judges will remain a mystery and announce their winner at the conclusion of the event. Judging will be done in private on Tuesday afternoon. Only dogs will be judged - the top Owner-Handler and Juniors will be exhibition only.
2. People's Choice: Each attendee may cast only one vote in person at $1 per ticket. Voting closes at the end of the event.
3. International Choice: Vote online for your favorite dog from anywhere in the world! Voting tickets are $1 each, and voting ends when the event concludes. The link will be available once the show closes.
4. NEW Top 20 Reserved Seating for Teams: Get the best seat in the house and show your team spirit! We encourage the owners and breeders of the Top 20 dogs and their friends to get seats together, dress up, and decorate your chairs with a theme that represents your dog. The most spirited team will win a FREE grooming space for 2027! Each seat comes with an extra vote and a Top 20 Program to commemorate your dog's accomplishments. Seats are $20 each.
5. The Top 5 Junior Handlers, Top Owner-Handler and previous National BOB Winners are invited to participate as exhibition only.
There is no entry fee for the Parade of Veterans, but a completed AKC entry form and a short history (100 words or less) of the dog must be submitted. This event will be held on Monday March 30th, ½ hour after the completion of Futurity judging. This is a noncompetitive exhibition open to any TITLED SHETLAND SHEEPDOG over the age of 10 years and not adopted from rescue. Registration for the Parade closes on March 4, 2026. To register, send a completed AKC entry form and history of the dog Liz Bianchi, 2012 Inland Cove, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 or email chefliz@cox.net. Note: If sending "overnight," please indicate "signature not required."
Parade of Rescued Performance Dogs This is a non-competitive exhibition open to any Shetland Sheepdog entered in any performance event at this National that was adopted from a Sheltie Rescue group. This event will be held on Saturday, March 28th. A Rosette will be awarded to each participant. There is no entry fee. To register, please use an AKC entry form and attach a short (100 words or less) history of the dog. Registration for the Parade closes on March 20, 2024.
Note: If sending "overnight," please indicate "signature not required."
DO NOT SEND TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OR TRIAL SECRETARY.
